Cost of Living in Sal - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $556 (excluding rent), and $1,017 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,687 (excluding rent), and $2,060 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.7 CVE 540

$2.6 CVE 246

$7.26 CVE 687

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$46.66 CVE 4,419

$42.18 CVE 3,994

$58.3 CVE 5,524

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.29 CVE 690

$3.11 CVE 294

$11.45 CVE 1,085

Cappuccino

$2.29 CVE 217

$1.56 CVE 148

$3.44 CVE 326

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)

$1.12 CVE 106

$1.03 CVE 97.2

$1.23 CVE 117

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.99 CVE 378

$2.67 CVE 253

$5.9 CVE 559

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.16 CVE 299

Milk (1 liter)

$1.47 CVE 139

$1.06 CVE 100

$1.9 CVE 179

White Bread (500g)

$2.11 CVE 200

$1.84 CVE 174

$2.46 CVE 233

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.55 CVE 147

$1.06 CVE 101

$2.12 CVE 201

Eggs

$2.78 CVE 263

$2.49 CVE 236

$3.12 CVE 295

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.03 CVE 1,044

$5.17 CVE 489

$12.4 CVE 1,174

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.56 CVE 811

$7.49 CVE 709

$9.62 CVE 911

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.58 CVE 1,570

$7.9 CVE 748

$25.26 CVE 2,392

Apples (1kg)

$2.87 CVE 272

$2.32 CVE 220

$4.13 CVE 391

Banana (1kg)

$2.44 CVE 231

$2.04 CVE 194

$2.56 CVE 243

Oranges (1kg)

$2.98 CVE 283

$2.09 CVE 198

$4.29 CVE 406

Tomato (1kg)

$4.05 CVE 384

$3.74 CVE 355

$4.15 CVE 393

Potato (1kg)

$1.63 CVE 155

$1.39 CVE 132

$1.92 CVE 182

Onion (1kg)

$1.98 CVE 188

$1.28 CVE 121

$2.12 CVE 201

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.82 CVE 173

$1.06 CVE 100

$2.1 CVE 199

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.11 CVE 105

$0.62 CVE 59.1

$1.55 CVE 147

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.82 CVE 457

$4.28 CVE 405

$5.36 CVE 507

Wine (Bottle)

$7.34 CVE 696

$6.3 CVE 596

$7.34 CVE 696

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.93 CVE 278

$1.69 CVE 160

$4.06 CVE 385

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.93 CVE 183

$0.95 CVE 89.6

$2.1 CVE 199

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.03 CVE 97.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.11 CVE 200

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.8 CVE 265

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.12 CVE 1,243

$5.25 CVE 497

$20.99 CVE 1,988

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 CVE 139

$1.27 CVE 120

$1.53 CVE 145

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

$88.6 CVE 8,393

$61.5 CVE 5,826

$116 CVE 11K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.3 CVE 5,236

$50.6 CVE 4,787

$60 CVE 5,686

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.57 CVE 3,274

$25.93 CVE 2,455

$46.67 CVE 4,420

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

$148 CVE 14K

$104 CVE 9,867

$208 CVE 19.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,526 CVE 239.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.89 CVE 3,020

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 CVE 13.9K

$105 CVE 9,934

$189 CVE 17.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$339 CVE 32.1K

$266 CVE 25.2K

$413 CVE 39.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$289 CVE 27.4K

$185 CVE 17.6K

$399 CVE 37.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$452 CVE 42.8K

$318 CVE 30.1K

$586 CVE 55.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$396 CVE 37.5K

$210 CVE 19.9K

$582 CVE 55.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$681 CVE 64.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$350 CVE 33.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$295 CVE 27.9K

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: November 30, 2025

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.