Cost of Living in Rivas - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Rivas
Address: Rivas, NI

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $527 (excluding rent), and $699 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,291 (excluding rent), and $1,465 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.08 NIO 149

$3.36 NIO 123

$10.19 NIO 373

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.45 NIO 1,042

$25.4 NIO 930

$81.3 NIO 2,977

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.17 NIO 262

$5.59 NIO 205

$8.19 NIO 300

Cappuccino

$1.27 NIO 46.69

$1.12 NIO 41.09

$4.16 NIO 152

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

$0.81 NIO 29.55

$0.47 NIO 17.3

$1.34 NIO 49

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 NIO 27.35

$0.49 NIO 17.86

$1.04 NIO 37.99

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.34 NIO 48.95

$1.11 NIO 40.73

$1.7 NIO 62.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 NIO 74.5

$1.93 NIO 70.8

$3.15 NIO 115

Milk (1 liter)

$1.27 NIO 46.5

$0.92 NIO 33.75

$1.44 NIO 52.9

White Bread (500g)

$2.37 NIO 86.9

$1.91 NIO 70

$2.41 NIO 88.3

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.86 NIO 68.2

$1.38 NIO 50.4

$1.92 NIO 70.5

Eggs

$2.32 NIO 85.1

$1.68 NIO 61.7

$2.53 NIO 92.6

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.3 NIO 414

$4.83 NIO 177

$13.76 NIO 504

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.8 NIO 249

$3.02 NIO 111

$6.8 NIO 249

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.85 NIO 287

$7.03 NIO 258

$10.63 NIO 389

Apples (1kg)

$3.79 NIO 139

$3.28 NIO 120

$4.85 NIO 178

Banana (1kg)

$0.89 NIO 32.61

$0.61 NIO 22.49

$2.26 NIO 82.8

Oranges (1kg)

$1.78 NIO 65.3

$1.49 NIO 54.5

$5.38 NIO 197

Tomato (1kg)

$2.18 NIO 79.8

$1.92 NIO 70.5

$2.98 NIO 109

Potato (1kg)

$3.87 NIO 142

$2.94 NIO 108

$3.96 NIO 145

Onion (1kg)

$2.16 NIO 79.1

$2.04 NIO 74.8

$2.61 NIO 95.5

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 NIO 36.98

$0.69 NIO 25.24

$1.61 NIO 59

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 NIO 38.2

$0.79 NIO 28.93

$1.52 NIO 55.6

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.61 NIO 95.4

$2.42 NIO 88.6

$2.67 NIO 97.9

Wine (Bottle)

$14.84 NIO 543

$9.83 NIO 360

$14.84 NIO 543

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.47 NIO 53.7

$1.11 NIO 40.56

$1.73 NIO 63.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 NIO 78.9

$1.68 NIO 61.5

$2.26 NIO 82.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.46 NIO 53.4

$1.32 NIO 48.39

$1.58 NIO 58

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.94 NIO 254

$5.57 NIO 204

$10.21 NIO 374

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.31 NIO 48.06

$1.29 NIO 47.33

$1.32 NIO 48.42

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

$23.3K NIO 854.5K

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

$26.7K NIO 978.2K

$27.1K NIO 991K

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

$98 NIO 3,588

$89.4 NIO 3,274

$149 NIO 5,457

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

$17.05 NIO 625

$15.04 NIO 551

$25.06 NIO 918

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$36.79 NIO 1,347

$29.6 NIO 1,084

$74 NIO 2,711

Cinema Ticket

$7.91 NIO 290

$6.08 NIO 223

$11.87 NIO 435

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

$127 NIO 4,633

$67.9 NIO 2,488

$265 NIO 9,701

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,111 NIO 223.8K

$4,278 NIO 156.7K

$9,166 NIO 335.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.8 NIO 2,847

$55 NIO 2,015

$90.4 NIO 3,310

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$73.2 NIO 2,680

$40.19 NIO 1,472

$121 NIO 4,435

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$134 NIO 4,894

$80.6 NIO 2,952

$151 NIO 5,534

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 NIO 3,968

$55.1 NIO 2,018

$150 NIO 5,502

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 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.