Cost of Living in Managua - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Managua
Address: Managua, NI

45.68

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $649 (excluding rent), and $961 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,550 (excluding rent), and $2,113 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.84 NIO 177

$3.25 NIO 119

$9.85 NIO 361

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.62 NIO 1,268

$24.73 NIO 906

$79.1 NIO 2,898

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.03 NIO 257

$5.48 NIO 201

$8.03 NIO 294

Cappuccino

$2.47 NIO 90.3

$1.13 NIO 41.4

$4.19 NIO 154

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 NIO 28.75

$0.46 NIO 16.83

$1.3 NIO 47.68

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.74 NIO 27.15

$0.48 NIO 17.72

$1.03 NIO 37.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.27 NIO 46.62

$1.06 NIO 38.79

$1.62 NIO 59.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 NIO 72

$1.87 NIO 68.4

$3.05 NIO 112

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 NIO 44.81

$0.89 NIO 32.52

$1.39 NIO 51

White Bread (500g)

$2.48 NIO 90.7

$1.99 NIO 73

$2.52 NIO 92.2

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.79 NIO 65.5

$1.32 NIO 48.39

$1.85 NIO 67.6

Eggs

$2.26 NIO 82.8

$1.64 NIO 60

$2.46 NIO 90

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.02 NIO 404

$4.71 NIO 173

$13.42 NIO 492

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.78 NIO 248

$3.02 NIO 111

$6.78 NIO 248

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.18 NIO 299

$7.33 NIO 268

$11.07 NIO 405

Apples (1kg)

$3.79 NIO 139

$3.28 NIO 120

$4.86 NIO 178

Banana (1kg)

$0.84 NIO 30.63

$0.58 NIO 21.13

$2.12 NIO 77.8

Oranges (1kg)

$1.76 NIO 64.5

$1.47 NIO 53.7

$5.31 NIO 195

Tomato (1kg)

$2.26 NIO 82.9

$2 NIO 73.3

$3.1 NIO 113

Potato (1kg)

$3.83 NIO 140

$2.91 NIO 107

$3.93 NIO 144

Onion (1kg)

$2.23 NIO 81.6

$2.11 NIO 77.2

$2.69 NIO 98.6

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 NIO 37.07

$0.69 NIO 25.31

$1.62 NIO 59.2

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 NIO 37.23

$0.77 NIO 28.19

$1.48 NIO 54.2

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.6 NIO 95.2

$2.41 NIO 88.4

$2.67 NIO 97.8

Wine (Bottle)

$14.9 NIO 546

$9.87 NIO 361

$14.9 NIO 546

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.4 NIO 51.2

$1.06 NIO 38.65

$1.65 NIO 60.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 NIO 83.2

$1.77 NIO 64.8

$2.38 NIO 87.3

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.15 NIO 5.61

$0.3 NIO 10.83

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$6.14 NIO 225

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.49 NIO 54.5

$1.35 NIO 49.41

$1.62 NIO 59.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.55 NIO 20.06

$0.52 NIO 18.99

$1.59 NIO 58.4

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.68 NIO 245

$5.36 NIO 196

$9.82 NIO 360

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.3 NIO 47.44

$1.28 NIO 46.73

$1.31 NIO 47.8

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$22.7K NIO 830.1K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26K NIO 954K

$26.4K NIO 966.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$99.4 NIO 3,639

$90.7 NIO 3,321

$109 NIO 4,005

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$17.09 NIO 626

$15.07 NIO 552

$19.2 NIO 703

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$36.58 NIO 1,340

$29.44 NIO 1,078

$58.9 NIO 2,156

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.27 NIO 1,292

$16.14 NIO 591

$98.6 NIO 3,610

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.87 NIO 545

Cinema Ticket

$7.84 NIO 287

$6.02 NIO 221

$11.76 NIO 431

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$122 NIO 4,472

$65.6 NIO 2,401

$256 NIO 9,364

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,072 NIO 222.4K

$4,250 NIO 155.7K

$9,108 NIO 333.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.4 NIO 2,835

$54.8 NIO 2,006

$90 NIO 3,295

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$73.9 NIO 2,707

$40.61 NIO 1,487

$122 NIO 4,481

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$132 NIO 4,840

$79.7 NIO 2,919

$149 NIO 5,473

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 NIO 3,918

$54.4 NIO 1,992

$148 NIO 5,433

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$253 NIO 9,258

$118 NIO 4,328

$394 NIO 14.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$187 NIO 6,848

$68.9 NIO 2,523

$246 NIO 9,010

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$441 NIO 16.1K

$252 NIO 9,232

$1,210 NIO 44.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$456 NIO 16.7K

$406 NIO 14.9K

$506 NIO 18.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,153 NIO 42.2K

$988 NIO 36.2K

$1,186 NIO 43.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$445 NIO 16.3K

$368 NIO 13.5K

$904 NIO 33.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$352 NIO 12.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.25

11.75

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

City tags:

Cost of Living in Managua - Frequently Asked Questions

Managua offers strong value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who prioritize local options. In broad terms, daily costs – housing, food, and transport – tend to be affordable by regional standards, especially if you choose local services over tourist-oriented ones. The city lets you mix minibar convenience with street-food freshness, and you can largely navigate with buses or rideshares at reasonable expense. For longer stays, you’ll appreciate the option to negotiate longer leases for better monthly rates. Cost of Living in Managua, Nicaragua is typically compatible with a range of budgets while leaving room for weekend explorations. Tip: Start with a short stay in a central neighborhood to test the pace, amenities, and comfort level.

Finding a home is straightforward if you know where to look: central zones offer walkability and city services, while outer neighborhoods often deliver more space for the same price. For food, favor local markets, panaderias, and casual eateries for the best value – fresh produce and tortillas are common staples. Transport is practical via city buses, informal taxis, and ride-hailing apps, with options that suit short hops or longer commutes. If you work remotely, consider coworking spaces near central districts for networking and reliable internet. Managua living cost varies by area, so budget for a buffer when you explore rentals and utility setup. Tip: Map out a few neighborhoods in advance and test a week of shopping and transit before committing to a lease.

To maximize your quality of life, build a flexible budgeting framework that tracks housing, utilities, and food as separate categories. Managua’s dry and rainy seasons affect comfort and expenses – air conditioning or fans, water usage, and travel patterns shift with humidity and rain. Before choosing a neighborhood, visit at different times of day and talk to locals about safety, noise, and access to markets. Consider a mix of local groceries, casual eateries, and occasional splurges on fresh seafood or coffee. A longer initial stay helps you negotiate better rent or utilities, and joining digital nomad groups can reveal hidden cost-saving tips. Tip: Create a one-page budget plan that accounts for recurring costs and seasonal changes, then adjust as you go.