Cost of Living in San Miguel - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $584 (excluding rent), and $1,250 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,453 (excluding rent), and $2,506 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.91 $3.91

$14.67 $14.67

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.91 $24.91

$59.8 $59.8

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.84 $6.84

$6.63 $6.63

$7.66 $7.66

Cappuccino

$3.08 $3.08

$1.54 $1.54

$4.62 $4.62

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

$0.73 $0.73

$1.94 $1.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.63 $0.63

$0.52 $0.52

$1.03 $1.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.23 $1.23

$2.95 $2.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.09 $3.09

$2.57 $2.57

$5.15 $5.15

Milk (1 liter)

$1.8 $1.8

$1.37 $1.37

$2.93 $2.93

White Bread (500g)

$1.96 $1.96

$0.97 $0.97

$7.52 $7.52

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 $1.54

$0.66 $0.66

$2.02 $2.02

Eggs

$2.86 $2.86

$1.82 $1.82

$4.66 $4.66

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.9 $6.9

$3.93 $3.93

$21.64 $21.64

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.83 $6.83

$4.26 $4.26

$8.9 $8.9

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.83 $10.83

$5.99 $5.99

$15.4 $15.4

Apples (1kg)

$3.09 $3.09

$0.97 $0.97

$5.35 $5.35

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 $1.72

$0.81 $0.81

$3.06 $3.06

Oranges (1kg)

$2.52 $2.52

$0.97 $0.97

$4.33 $4.33

Tomato (1kg)

$2.65 $2.65

$0.99 $0.99

$3.45 $3.45

Potato (1kg)

$2.23 $2.23

$1.02 $1.02

$3.87 $3.87

Onion (1kg)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.02 $1.02

$3.05 $3.05

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.93 $0.93

$0.48 $0.48

$1.43 $1.43

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.63 $0.63

$2.38 $2.38

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.57 $2.57

$4.63 $4.63

Wine (Bottle)

$9.95 $9.95

$5.97 $5.97

$17.91 $17.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 $1.69

$0.98 $0.98

$2.22 $2.22

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.98 $1.98

$3.25 $3.25

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 $0.36

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.63 $27.63

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.48 $5.48

$3.99 $3.99

$9.97 $9.97

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.98 $2.98

$3.97 $3.97

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.01 $10.01

$30.03 $30.03

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1 $1

$0.95 $0.95

$1.14 $1.14

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25.2K $25.2K

$24.7K $24.7K

$29.7K $29.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28.3K $28.3K

$25.1K $25.1K

$30.1K $30.1K

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

$101 $101

$78.6 $78.6

$118 $118

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$18.9 $18.9

$14.82 $14.82

$31.62 $31.62

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.29 $41.29

$29.72 $29.72

$49.54 $49.54

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.94 $28.94

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.61 $21.61

Cinema Ticket

$5.18 $5.18

$4.93 $4.93

$6.41 $6.41

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

$144 $144

$90.7 $90.7

$197 $197

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,289 $4,289

$2,508 $2,508

$11.3K $11.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.1 $64.1

$49.75 $49.75

$74.6 $74.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.44 $43.44

$35.09 $35.09

$50.1 $50.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$80.9 $80.9

$131 $131

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$105 $105

$80 $80

$120 $120

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$693 $693

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$492 $492

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$958 $958

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$824 $824

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,379 $1,379

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$982 $982

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$396 $396

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.58

7.5

11.5

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

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Cost of Living in San Miguel - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in San Miguel, El Salvador offers a practical baseline for planning your stay, with value-conscious options across housing, food, and services. The city tends to be more affordable than larger capitals or beach resorts, especially if you focus on locally owned eateries, shared housing, and public transport. You will enjoy a compact center that's easy to navigate, plus frequent markets and community events that help you stretch a budget without sacrificing quality. Seasonal festivals can shift crowds and vibes, but the day-to-day rhythm remains welcoming for longer stays. Tip: Start with a short stay to test neighborhoods and routines.

Daily life centers on markets, cafes, and a mix of rental options close to the historic center. Housing ranges from simple rooms to shared apartments near the plaza, with flexible leases common in practice. Food shines at mercados and modest eateries, where you can sample bold, local flavors without breaking the budget. Transport relies on buses, taxis, and casual ride-hailing, with walking practical in the core. For remote work, you will find coworking spaces and quiet cafes that suit different rhythms. San Miguel, El Salvador living cost varies by district, so scout several areas before deciding. Tip: start with a month-to-month arrangement to test flow in different neighborhoods.

For budgeting, adopt a simple framework: track essentials, trim discretionary spending, and adapt to options as the seasons shift. Quality of life comes from choosing neighborhoods that match your pace, with busy plazas for social life or quiet sidestreets for work. Seasonality in El Salvador can influence clothing needs, energy use, and transport demand, so plan flexible routines and routine grocery runs. To maximize fit, test a mix of areas on weekends, note access to markets, and evaluate safety, connectivity, and noise. Tip: build a weekly plan that aligns grocery trips, transit, and preferred work hours to avoid peak crowds.