Cost of Living in Sal - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $570 (excluding rent), and $1,002 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,466 (excluding rent), and $2,047 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.91 CVE 562

$2.69 CVE 256

$7.53 CVE 715

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$46.83 CVE 4,449

$42.33 CVE 4,021

$58.5 CVE 5,561

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.51 CVE 714

$3.21 CVE 305

$11.81 CVE 1,122

Cappuccino

$2.33 CVE 221

$1.58 CVE 150

$3.50 CVE 332

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

$2.46 CVE 234

$1.87 CVE 177

$3.10 CVE 295

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.12 CVE 106

$1.02 CVE 96.9

$1.22 CVE 116

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.87 CVE 368

$2.59 CVE 246

$5.72 CVE 543

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 CVE 291

Milk (1 liter)

$1.45 CVE 137

$1.04 CVE 98.7

$1.86 CVE 177

White Bread (500g)

$2.21 CVE 210

$1.92 CVE 183

$2.57 CVE 244

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.52 CVE 144

$1.04 CVE 99.0

$2.07 CVE 197

Eggs

$2.77 CVE 264

$2.49 CVE 236

$3.11 CVE 296

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.30 CVE 1,073

$5.29 CVE 503

$12.70 CVE 1,207

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.50 CVE 808

$7.43 CVE 706

$9.56 CVE 908

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.30 CVE 1,549

$7.77 CVE 738

$24.84 CVE 2,360

Apples (1kg)

$2.88 CVE 274

$2.33 CVE 222

$4.15 CVE 394

Banana (1kg)

$2.43 CVE 231

$2.04 CVE 194

$2.56 CVE 243

Oranges (1kg)

$2.92 CVE 278

$2.05 CVE 195

$4.20 CVE 399

Tomato (1kg)

$4.12 CVE 391

$3.80 CVE 361

$4.22 CVE 401

Potato (1kg)

$1.63 CVE 155

$1.38 CVE 132

$1.91 CVE 182

Onion (1kg)

$1.93 CVE 183

$1.25 CVE 119

$2.07 CVE 197

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.82 CVE 173

$1.06 CVE 101

$2.11 CVE 200

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.11 CVE 105

$0.62 CVE 59.1

$1.55 CVE 147

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.74 CVE 450

$4.20 CVE 399

$5.26 CVE 500

Wine (Bottle)

$7.20 CVE 684

$6.18 CVE 587

$7.20 CVE 684

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.11 CVE 295

$1.79 CVE 170

$4.30 CVE 409

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.94 CVE 185

$0.95 CVE 90.3

$2.11 CVE 201

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.07 CVE 101

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.11 CVE 200

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.81 CVE 267

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.02 CVE 1,237

$5.20 CVE 494

$20.82 CVE 1,978

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.48 CVE 141

$1.29 CVE 122

$1.56 CVE 148

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

$90.5 CVE 8,601

$62.9 CVE 5,970

$118 CVE 11.2K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.6 CVE 5,191

$49.95 CVE 4,745

$59.3 CVE 5,636

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.72 CVE 3,299

$26.04 CVE 2,474

$46.87 CVE 4,453

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

$146 CVE 13.8K

$103 CVE 9,767

$206 CVE 19.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,543 CVE 241.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.97 CVE 3,037

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 CVE 13.8K

$104 CVE 9,842

$186 CVE 17.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$334 CVE 31.7K

$262 CVE 24.9K

$406 CVE 38.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$294 CVE 27.9K

$188 CVE 17.9K

$405 CVE 38.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$444 CVE 42.2K

$312 CVE 29.7K

$576 CVE 54.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$397 CVE 37.7K

$211 CVE 20.0K

$584 CVE 55.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$701 CVE 66.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$343 CVE 32.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$291 CVE 27.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.17

4.5

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Sal Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

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:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Sal - Frequently Asked Questions

Sal blends a relaxed island vibe with pockets of real value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You can find comfortable accommodations, especially in guesthouses or small apartment rentals, at prices that let you stretch a longer stay. Local eateries and markets offer fresh seafood, produce, and affordable meals that beat resort dining, while cafés with reliable wifi support workdays. Seasonal tourism can raise demand near Santa Maria, but alternatives inland stay calmer and cheaper. Cost of Living in Sal reflects a practical mix of modest daily costs, thoughtful budgeting, and lifestyle choices that emphasize texture over flash. Tip: plan multi-night stays to unlock better rates and keep distance from peak surges.

Daily life on Sal is approachable: search for housing in Santa Maria or Espargos, compare guesthouses with full kitchens, and use local markets for fresh fish, bread, and produce. For transport, short taxi rides or a scooter rental cover most routes; ferries connect to other islands. Co-working spots and cafés with Wi‑Fi support remote work, while errands are manageable with a bit of planning around market days. Sal living cost tends to scale with location and amenities; beachfront options cost more but pantry and kitchen-friendly stays save you money over time. Tip: explore longer stays and negotiate weekly rates to stabilize costs.

Quality of life on Sal hinges on neighborhood fit, budgeting discipline, and seasonality. Use a simple framework: fixed essentials such as housing, utilities, and groceries, plus a flexible allowance for dining and activities. Inland areas offer quieter days and lower rents, while Santa Maria puts you closer to beaches, nightlife, and coworking spaces. Balance home-cooked meals with the occasional seafood feast, and let markets be your primary source of fresh produce. Weather is typically sunny with winds shaping outdoor plans, making outdoor time predictable rather than surprising. Tip: compare week-by-week costs, try a longer first stay to test neighborhood rhythm, and build a buffer for seasonal changes.