Cost of Living in Sal - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $634 (excluding rent), and $996 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,534 (excluding rent), and $2,053 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.91 CVE 561

$2.69 CVE 256

$7.53 CVE 715

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.95 CVE 4,363

$41.53 CVE 3,944

$57.5 CVE 5,455

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.27 CVE 691

$3.1 CVE 295

$11.44 CVE 1,086

Cappuccino

$2.33 CVE 221

$1.58 CVE 150

$3.5 CVE 332

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

$2.42 CVE 229

$1.83 CVE 174

$3.05 CVE 289

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.17 CVE 111

$1.07 CVE 101

$1.28 CVE 122

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.96 CVE 376

$2.64 CVE 251

$5.84 CVE 555

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 CVE 303

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 CVE 141

$1.07 CVE 102

$1.92 CVE 182

White Bread (500g)

$2.12 CVE 201

$1.84 CVE 175

$2.46 CVE 233

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 CVE 148

$1.07 CVE 101

$2.13 CVE 202

Eggs

$2.76 CVE 262

$2.47 CVE 235

$3.09 CVE 293

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.27 CVE 1,070

$5.28 CVE 501

$12.67 CVE 1,203

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.51 CVE 808

$7.44 CVE 706

$9.56 CVE 908

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.43 CVE 1,560

$7.82 CVE 743

$25.03 CVE 2,376

Apples (1kg)

$2.94 CVE 279

$2.38 CVE 226

$4.24 CVE 402

Banana (1kg)

$2.46 CVE 234

$2.06 CVE 196

$2.59 CVE 246

Oranges (1kg)

$2.88 CVE 274

$2.02 CVE 192

$4.14 CVE 393

Tomato (1kg)

$4.1 CVE 389

$3.79 CVE 360

$4.2 CVE 399

Potato (1kg)

$1.61 CVE 153

$1.37 CVE 130

$1.9 CVE 180

Onion (1kg)

$1.93 CVE 184

$1.25 CVE 119

$2.07 CVE 197

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.76 CVE 168

$1.02 CVE 97.2

$2.04 CVE 193

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.1 CVE 104

$0.62 CVE 58.5

$1.54 CVE 146

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.79 CVE 455

$4.25 CVE 404

$5.32 CVE 505

Wine (Bottle)

$7.25 CVE 689

$6.22 CVE 591

$7.25 CVE 689

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.95 CVE 280

$1.7 CVE 161

$4.08 CVE 388

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.88 CVE 178

$0.92 CVE 87.3

$2.04 CVE 194

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.03 CVE 97.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.12 CVE 201

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.92 CVE 277

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.02 CVE 1,237

$5.21 CVE 494

$20.83 CVE 1,978

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 CVE 134

$1.23 CVE 116

$1.48 CVE 141

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

$90.2 CVE 8,562

$62.6 CVE 5,943

$118 CVE 11.2K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.2 CVE 5,240

$50.5 CVE 4,791

$59.9 CVE 5,690

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.24 CVE 3,346

$26.43 CVE 2,509

$47.57 CVE 4,517

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

$149 CVE 14.1K

$105 CVE 9,985

$210 CVE 20K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,507 CVE 238.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.33 CVE 2,975

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 CVE 13.8K

$104 CVE 9,854

$187 CVE 17.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$336 CVE 31.9K

$264 CVE 25K

$409 CVE 38.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$296 CVE 28.1K

$190 CVE 18K

$408 CVE 38.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$443 CVE 42.1K

$312 CVE 29.6K

$575 CVE 54.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$398 CVE 37.7K

$211 CVE 20K

$584 CVE 55.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$673 CVE 63.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$346 CVE 32.9K

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.

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.