Cost of Living in Ocotal - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Ocotal
Address: Ocotal, NI

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $546 (excluding rent), and $716 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,295 (excluding rent), and $1,589 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.03 NIO 184

$3.38 NIO 124

$10.24 NIO 375

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.92 NIO 1,279

$24.94 NIO 914

$79.8 NIO 2,923

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.98 NIO 256

$5.45 NIO 199

$7.98 NIO 292

Cappuccino

$2.47 NIO 90.3

$1.13 NIO 41.38

$4.19 NIO 153

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

$0.84 NIO 30.94

$0.49 NIO 18.11

$1.4 NIO 51.3

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 NIO 27.33

$0.49 NIO 17.84

$1.04 NIO 37.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.29 NIO 47.22

$1.07 NIO 39.29

$1.64 NIO 60.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 NIO 72.7

$1.89 NIO 69.1

$3.08 NIO 113

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 NIO 46.14

$0.91 NIO 33.49

$1.43 NIO 52.5

White Bread (500g)

$2.35 NIO 86.2

$1.89 NIO 69.4

$2.39 NIO 87.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.88 NIO 68.9

$1.39 NIO 50.9

$1.94 NIO 71.2

Eggs

$2.35 NIO 86

$1.7 NIO 62.3

$2.55 NIO 93.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.33 NIO 415

$4.85 NIO 178

$13.8 NIO 506

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.56 NIO 240

$2.92 NIO 107

$6.56 NIO 240

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.81 NIO 286

$7 NIO 256

$10.58 NIO 387

Apples (1kg)

$3.84 NIO 141

$3.33 NIO 122

$4.92 NIO 180

Banana (1kg)

$0.85 NIO 31.08

$0.59 NIO 21.43

$2.16 NIO 79

Oranges (1kg)

$1.75 NIO 64.1

$1.46 NIO 53.4

$5.28 NIO 193

Tomato (1kg)

$2.24 NIO 82.1

$1.98 NIO 72.5

$3.07 NIO 112

Potato (1kg)

$3.99 NIO 146

$3.03 NIO 111

$4.09 NIO 150

Onion (1kg)

$2.25 NIO 82.2

$2.12 NIO 77.8

$2.71 NIO 99.4

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 NIO 37.1

$0.69 NIO 25.33

$1.62 NIO 59.2

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 NIO 37.28

$0.77 NIO 28.23

$1.48 NIO 54.3

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.7 NIO 98.9

$2.51 NIO 91.8

$2.77 NIO 101

Wine (Bottle)

$14.62 NIO 535

$9.69 NIO 355

$14.62 NIO 535

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 NIO 53.6

$1.11 NIO 40.51

$1.73 NIO 63.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.25 NIO 82.5

$1.76 NIO 64.3

$2.36 NIO 86.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.51 NIO 55.4

$1.37 NIO 50.3

$1.64 NIO 60.2

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.64 NIO 243

$5.33 NIO 195

$9.77 NIO 358

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 NIO 49.16

$1.32 NIO 48.42

$1.35 NIO 49.53

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

$22.9K NIO 840.1K

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

$26.5K NIO 969K

$26.8K NIO 981.7K

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

$98.2 NIO 3,595

$89.6 NIO 3,280

$108 NIO 3,956

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

$16.72 NIO 612

$14.74 NIO 540

$18.78 NIO 688

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.09 NIO 1,358

$29.85 NIO 1,093

$59.7 NIO 2,186

Cinema Ticket

$7.83 NIO 287

$6.02 NIO 220

$11.74 NIO 430

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

$124 NIO 4,542

$66.6 NIO 2,439

$260 NIO 9,511

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,900 NIO 216.1K

$4,130 NIO 151.3K

$8,850 NIO 324.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$78 NIO 2,857

$55.2 NIO 2,022

$90.7 NIO 3,321

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$72.3 NIO 2,648

$39.71 NIO 1,455

$120 NIO 4,382

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$133 NIO 4,870

$80.2 NIO 2,937

$150 NIO 5,507

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 NIO 3,921

$54.4 NIO 1,994

$148 NIO 5,438

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.25

11.75

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

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Cost of Living in Ocotal - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Ocotal, Nicaragua tends to be mid-range for the region, offering straightforward value for a range of budgets. You’ll find affordable street food and farmers’ markets alongside budget-friendly apartments and basic, reliable services. It’s generally cheaper than Granada or the capital, Managua, but somewhat steadier year-round than coastal tourist hubs. For digital nomads, the town’s growing slow-living vibe can suit long stays if you favor simplicity over flashy amenities. Use local prices as a baseline, and look for neighborhoods with easy access to markets, cafes, and daylight safety. Tip: start with a short stay to gauge daily costs and adjust your plan accordingly.

As you settle in, housing options range from simple rentals to guesthouses; longer leases often bring better value and utilities included. Food comes fresh from mercados and family-run eateries, making healthy meals easy on a budget. Transport is practical: walking, local taxis, or small motos keep you moving without a car. Co-working spaces are growing, useful if you need reliable internet during the day. Erands are manageable in a small city with friendly vendors. Knowing the Ocotal living cost helps you set expectations for rent, utilities, and groceries. Tip: map out essential shops and a reliable transport plan before fully unpacking.

Quality of life here hinges on pace, community, and access to nature. A practical budgeting framework is to separate essential costs (housing, utilities, groceries) from discretionary spending (cafe visits, weekend trips). Save by cooking at home, buying local produce, and choosing accommodations with light, airy spaces. Seasons in Nicaragua influence rainfall and temperatures, so plan for humidity in the rainy months and cooler evenings in the dry season. Neighborhood fit comes from testing markets, safety, and proximity to parks and transport lines. Pick a district that matches your social vibe and daily routines. Tip: allocate a small buffer for surprises and seasonal changes.