Cost of Living in Rivas - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Rivas
Address: Rivas, NI

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $614 (excluding rent), and $691 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,514 (excluding rent), and $1,472 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.89 NIO 143

$3.21 NIO 118

$9.73 NIO 358

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.50 NIO 1,049

$25.45 NIO 937

$81.4 NIO 2,998

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.89 NIO 254

$5.37 NIO 198

$7.87 NIO 290

Cappuccino

$1.28 NIO 47.25

$1.13 NIO 41.58

$4.19 NIO 154

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

$0.86 NIO 31.60

$0.50 NIO 18.50

$1.42 NIO 52.4

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 NIO 25.73

$0.46 NIO 16.79

$0.97 NIO 35.73

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.33 NIO 48.94

$1.11 NIO 40.72

$1.69 NIO 62.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 NIO 72.5

$1.87 NIO 68.9

$3.05 NIO 112

Milk (1 liter)

$1.23 NIO 45.26

$0.89 NIO 32.85

$1.40 NIO 51.5

White Bread (500g)

$2.38 NIO 87.7

$1.92 NIO 70.6

$2.42 NIO 89.2

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.85 NIO 68.2

$1.37 NIO 50.4

$1.91 NIO 70.4

Eggs

$2.30 NIO 84.9

$1.67 NIO 61.5

$2.51 NIO 92.3

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.37 NIO 419

$4.86 NIO 179

$13.85 NIO 510

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.76 NIO 249

$3.00 NIO 111

$6.76 NIO 249

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.90 NIO 291

$7.08 NIO 261

$10.69 NIO 394

Apples (1kg)

$3.91 NIO 144

$3.39 NIO 125

$5.02 NIO 185

Banana (1kg)

$0.89 NIO 32.67

$0.61 NIO 22.53

$2.25 NIO 83.0

Oranges (1kg)

$1.75 NIO 64.5

$1.46 NIO 53.7

$5.28 NIO 194

Tomato (1kg)

$2.28 NIO 83.9

$2.01 NIO 74.1

$3.12 NIO 115

Potato (1kg)

$3.84 NIO 141

$2.92 NIO 107

$3.93 NIO 145

Onion (1kg)

$2.18 NIO 80.4

$2.06 NIO 76.0

$2.64 NIO 97.1

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 NIO 38.98

$0.72 NIO 26.61

$1.69 NIO 62.2

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 NIO 38.75

$0.80 NIO 29.34

$1.53 NIO 56.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.71 NIO 99.9

$2.52 NIO 92.8

$2.79 NIO 103

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 NIO 546

$9.82 NIO 362

$14.82 NIO 546

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.39 NIO 51.3

$1.05 NIO 38.74

$1.65 NIO 60.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 NIO 82.3

$1.74 NIO 64.1

$2.35 NIO 86.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.51 NIO 55.7

$1.37 NIO 50.5

$1.64 NIO 60.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.82 NIO 251

$5.47 NIO 202

$10.02 NIO 369

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.35 NIO 49.75

$1.33 NIO 49.00

$1.36 NIO 50.1

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

$22.7K NIO 837.0K

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

$26.3K NIO 969.2K

$26.7K NIO 981.9K

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

$97.6 NIO 3,592

$89.0 NIO 3,278

$148 NIO 5,463

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

$16.69 NIO 615

$14.72 NIO 542

$24.53 NIO 903

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$36.74 NIO 1,353

$29.57 NIO 1,089

$73.9 NIO 2,722

Cinema Ticket

$8.16 NIO 300

$6.27 NIO 231

$12.24 NIO 451

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

$124 NIO 4,576

$66.7 NIO 2,457

$260 NIO 9,583

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,895 NIO 217.1K

$4,126 NIO 151.9K

$8,842 NIO 325.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.7 NIO 2,823

$54.3 NIO 1,998

$89.1 NIO 3,281

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$73.0 NIO 2,689

$40.12 NIO 1,477

$121 NIO 4,450

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$131 NIO 4,824

$79.0 NIO 2,909

$148 NIO 5,455

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 NIO 4,017

$55.5 NIO 2,043

$151 NIO 5,571

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$495 NIO 18.2K

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: January 13, 2026

Rivas Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

266

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Rivas - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Rivas, Nicaragua tends to reward longer stays and local spending patterns, especially if you choose modest apartments, shop at local markets, and use public transport. It sits on the quieter side of Nicaragua’s urban scale, making it a solid option for anyone prioritizing value. You’ll find comfortable lodging, dependable groceries, and reasonable services without the price spikes seen in bigger cities or border towns. It’s easier to stretch a budget here than in coastal capitals, while still offering access to lakeside recreation and a relaxed pace. Tip: plan around weekly markets and affordable transport to stretch your budget.

For housing, start with the town center and nearby neighborhoods where listings emphasize walkability and access to markets. Local eateries and panaderías offer inexpensive meals, while you’ll find a mix of fruit stalls and supermarkets for groceries. Transport is practical: buses and shared taxis cover common routes, with moto-taxis as flexible options for quick hops. Co-working spaces exist but can vary by season and day; plan a few spot checks to find reliable Wi‑Fi and quiet corners. Errands are straightforward: banks, clinics, and services cluster along main streets. Rivas, Nicaragua living cost becomes clearer when you map a weekly routine. Tip: keep essentials within a short walk and shop midweek to save time.

Quality of life in Rivas tends toward a relaxed pace, with friendly neighborhood atmospheres and a sense of community that suits remote work and short getaways. A simple budgeting framework helps: anchor housing in a stable, safe area; shop at local markets for fresh produce; choose public transport or slow options to keep daily costs predictable; favor co-working days with cheaper coffee nearby. Seasonality affects pace and prices more than you might expect: the rainy season can bring more green markets and slower traffic, while the dry season adds sunlit days and weekend outings. Neighborhood fit matters: pick a core area near services, but stay flexible for lake excursions and day trips. Tip: build a flexible weekly plan that balances work, errands, and exploration.