Cost of Living in Sal - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $575 (excluding rent), and $1,001 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,642 (excluding rent), and $2,041 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.87 CVE 553

$2.67 CVE 252

$7.47 CVE 704

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.85 CVE 4,318

$41.44 CVE 3,903

$57.3 CVE 5,399

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.56 CVE 712

$3.22 CVE 304

$11.88 CVE 1,119

Cappuccino

$2.36 CVE 222

$1.60 CVE 151

$3.54 CVE 333

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

$2.42 CVE 228

$1.84 CVE 173

$3.06 CVE 288

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.14 CVE 107

$1.04 CVE 97.9

$1.25 CVE 118

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.88 CVE 365

$2.59 CVE 244

$5.73 CVE 540

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.22 CVE 303

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 CVE 140

$1.07 CVE 101

$1.91 CVE 180

White Bread (500g)

$2.20 CVE 207

$1.92 CVE 181

$2.56 CVE 241

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.49 CVE 141

$1.03 CVE 96.6

$2.04 CVE 192

Eggs

$2.78 CVE 262

$2.50 CVE 235

$3.12 CVE 294

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.18 CVE 1,053

$5.24 CVE 493

$12.57 CVE 1,184

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.29 CVE 781

$7.25 CVE 683

$9.32 CVE 878

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.30 CVE 1,535

$7.76 CVE 731

$24.83 CVE 2,339

Apples (1kg)

$2.92 CVE 275

$2.36 CVE 223

$4.20 CVE 396

Banana (1kg)

$2.52 CVE 237

$2.11 CVE 199

$2.65 CVE 249

Oranges (1kg)

$2.99 CVE 282

$2.10 CVE 198

$4.30 CVE 405

Tomato (1kg)

$4.03 CVE 380

$3.73 CVE 351

$4.13 CVE 389

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 CVE 154

$1.39 CVE 131

$1.93 CVE 181

Onion (1kg)

$1.93 CVE 182

$1.25 CVE 118

$2.07 CVE 195

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.84 CVE 173

$1.07 CVE 100

$2.12 CVE 200

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 CVE 108

$0.65 CVE 60.8

$1.61 CVE 152

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.67 CVE 440

$4.14 CVE 390

$5.18 CVE 488

Wine (Bottle)

$7.04 CVE 663

$6.50 CVE 612

$7.58 CVE 714

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.07 CVE 289

$1.77 CVE 167

$4.25 CVE 400

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.87 CVE 176

$0.91 CVE 86.2

$2.03 CVE 192

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.08 CVE 101

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.05 CVE 193

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.81 CVE 265

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.30 CVE 1,253

$5.32 CVE 501

$21.28 CVE 2,004

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.48 CVE 139

$1.29 CVE 121

$1.55 CVE 146

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

$88.7 CVE 8,356

$61.6 CVE 5,801

$116 CVE 10.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.4 CVE 5,120

$49.69 CVE 4,681

$59.0 CVE 5,559

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.98 CVE 3,295

$26.23 CVE 2,471

$47.22 CVE 4,448

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

$149 CVE 14.0K

$105 CVE 9,884

$210 CVE 19.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,556 CVE 240.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$30.96 CVE 2,916

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 CVE 14.0K

$106 CVE 10.0K

$192 CVE 18.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$329 CVE 31.0K

$258 CVE 24.3K

$400 CVE 37.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$293 CVE 27.6K

$188 CVE 17.7K

$404 CVE 38.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$450 CVE 42.3K

$316 CVE 29.8K

$583 CVE 54.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$389 CVE 36.6K

$206 CVE 19.4K

$571 CVE 53.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$694 CVE 65.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$356 CVE 33.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$268 CVE 25.3K

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: March 2, 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.