Cost of Living in Sal - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $552 (excluding rent), and $1,009 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,388 (excluding rent), and $2,063 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.88 CVE 550

$2.68 CVE 251

$7.48 CVE 700

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.11 CVE 4,407

$42.58 CVE 3,983

$58.9 CVE 5,509

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.29 CVE 682

$3.11 CVE 291

$11.45 CVE 1,072

Cappuccino

$2.30 CVE 215

$1.56 CVE 146

$3.45 CVE 323

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

$2.52 CVE 236

$1.91 CVE 179

$3.18 CVE 297

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.13 CVE 106

$1.04 CVE 96.9

$1.24 CVE 116

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.81 CVE 357

$2.55 CVE 238

$5.63 CVE 527

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 CVE 298

Milk (1 liter)

$1.48 CVE 139

$1.07 CVE 99.8

$1.91 CVE 179

White Bread (500g)

$2.20 CVE 206

$1.92 CVE 180

$2.56 CVE 240

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 CVE 146

$1.07 CVE 100

$2.13 CVE 200

Eggs

$2.78 CVE 260

$2.49 CVE 233

$3.12 CVE 292

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.30 CVE 1,057

$5.30 CVE 495

$12.71 CVE 1,189

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.26 CVE 773

$7.23 CVE 676

$9.29 CVE 869

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.61 CVE 1,554

$7.91 CVE 740

$25.31 CVE 2,368

Apples (1kg)

$2.87 CVE 269

$2.33 CVE 218

$4.14 CVE 387

Banana (1kg)

$2.50 CVE 234

$2.10 CVE 197

$2.63 CVE 246

Oranges (1kg)

$2.94 CVE 275

$2.06 CVE 193

$4.22 CVE 395

Tomato (1kg)

$4.09 CVE 383

$3.78 CVE 354

$4.20 CVE 392

Potato (1kg)

$1.56 CVE 146

$1.33 CVE 124

$1.84 CVE 172

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 CVE 179

$1.23 CVE 115

$2.05 CVE 191

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.84 CVE 173

$1.07 CVE 100

$2.13 CVE 199

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 CVE 108

$0.65 CVE 60.7

$1.62 CVE 151

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.63 CVE 433

$4.11 CVE 384

$5.14 CVE 481

Wine (Bottle)

$6.82 CVE 638

$6.30 CVE 589

$7.34 CVE 687

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.03 CVE 284

$1.75 CVE 163

$4.20 CVE 393

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 CVE 184

$0.96 CVE 90.2

$2.14 CVE 201

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.08 CVE 101

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.15 CVE 201

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.90 CVE 272

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.33 CVE 1,247

$5.33 CVE 499

$21.32 CVE 1,995

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.47 CVE 137

$1.28 CVE 119

$1.54 CVE 144

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

$90.6 CVE 8,473

$62.9 CVE 5,882

$118 CVE 11.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.2 CVE 5,066

$49.50 CVE 4,631

$58.8 CVE 5,500

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.24 CVE 3,203

$25.68 CVE 2,402

$46.22 CVE 4,324

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

$150 CVE 14.0K

$106 CVE 9,888

$211 CVE 19.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,518 CVE 235.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.44 CVE 2,941

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 CVE 13.9K

$106 CVE 9,924

$191 CVE 17.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$335 CVE 31.3K

$263 CVE 24.6K

$407 CVE 38.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$292 CVE 27.3K

$187 CVE 17.5K

$402 CVE 37.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$441 CVE 41.3K

$310 CVE 29.0K

$572 CVE 53.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$396 CVE 37.1K

$210 CVE 19.7K

$582 CVE 54.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$701 CVE 65.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$348 CVE 32.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$264 CVE 24.7K

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: April 13, 2026

Sal Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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.