Cost of Living in San Salvador - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $709 (excluding rent), and $1,482 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,701 (excluding rent), and $2,901 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.09 $8.09

$5.06 $5.06

$15.18 $15.18

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.31 $34.31

$27.45 $27.45

$58.8 $58.8

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.94 $6.94

$6.44 $6.44

$7.43 $7.43

Cappuccino

$3.16 $3.16

$1.46 $1.46

$4.38 $4.38

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

$1.11 $1.11

$0.74 $0.74

$1.98 $1.98

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.92 $0.92

$0.63 $0.63

$1.05 $1.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.21 $1.21

$2.91 $2.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$2.49 $2.49

$4.98 $4.98

Milk (1 liter)

$1.81 $1.81

$1.38 $1.38

$2.95 $2.95

White Bread (500g)

$2.06 $2.06

$1.02 $1.02

$7.91 $7.91

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.48 $1.48

$0.63 $0.63

$1.94 $1.94

Eggs

$2.89 $2.89

$1.85 $1.85

$4.72 $4.72

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.97 $6.97

$3.96 $3.96

$21.85 $21.85

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.51 $6.51

$4.07 $4.07

$8.5 $8.5

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.78 $10.78

$5.96 $5.96

$15.33 $15.33

Apples (1kg)

$3.27 $3.27

$1.03 $1.03

$5.67 $5.67

Banana (1kg)

$1.73 $1.73

$0.81 $0.81

$3.07 $3.07

Oranges (1kg)

$2.51 $2.51

$0.97 $0.97

$4.3 $4.3

Tomato (1kg)

$2.66 $2.66

$0.99 $0.99

$3.47 $3.47

Potato (1kg)

$2.16 $2.16

$0.99 $0.99

$3.74 $3.74

Onion (1kg)

$2.16 $2.16

$1.01 $1.01

$3.02 $3.02

Lettuce (1 head)

$1 $1

$0.51 $0.51

$1.54 $1.54

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.61 $0.61

$2.3 $2.3

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.07 $4.07

$4.57 $4.57

Wine (Bottle)

$9.93 $9.93

$5.96 $5.96

$17.87 $17.87

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.02 $1.02

$2.32 $2.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.06 $2.06

$3.37 $3.37

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 $0.33

$0.24 $0.24

$0.96 $0.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.24 $25.24

$10.6 $10.6

$60.6 $60.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.53 $5.53

$4.02 $4.02

$10.06 $10.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.09 $3.09

$3.04 $3.04

$4.06 $4.06

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.84 $19.84

$9.92 $9.92

$29.76 $29.76

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.98 $0.98

$1.18 $1.18

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

$25.9K $25.9K

$25.4K $25.4K

$30.5K $30.5K

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

$27.6K $27.6K

$24.5K $24.5K

$29.4K $29.4K

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

$104 $104

$80.6 $80.6

$121 $121

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

$19.41 $19.41

$15.22 $15.22

$32.47 $32.47

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$42.4 $42.4

$30.53 $30.53

$50.9 $50.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.8 $30.8

$24.61 $24.61

$39.37 $39.37

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.83 $19.83

$14.87 $14.87

$24.79 $24.79

Cinema Ticket

$5.33 $5.33

$5.08 $5.08

$6.6 $6.6

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

$147 $147

$92.6 $92.6

$201 $201

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,929 $5,929

$2,539 $2,539

$11.5K $11.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68 $68

$50.6 $50.6

$75.9 $75.9

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.62 $42.62

$34.42 $34.42

$49.18 $49.18

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 $115

$79.7 $79.7

$130 $130

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 $107

$81.5 $81.5

$122 $122

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$837 $837

$798 $798

$1,196 $1,196

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$688 $688

$541 $541

$885 $885

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,455 $1,455

$1,204 $1,204

$1,806 $1,806

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,119 $1,119

$915 $915

$1,322 $1,322

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,408 $2,408

$2,052 $2,052

$2,991 $2,991

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,756 $1,756

$1,337 $1,337

$3,166 $3,166

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$383 $383

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: November 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in San Salvador - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with regional peers, Cost of Living in San Salvador, El Salvador offers a practical balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You will find affordable street food and local markets that stretch your budget further, while renting in core expat-friendly areas carries a heftier price tag than outside zones. Daily life centers on a mix of buses, colectivos, and rideshares, with coworking spaces available at reasonable day rates. Neighborhoods differ in vibe and safety, so you can target options that fit your work routine and social needs. Plan for seasonal spikes around holidays when prices in popular districts rise. Tip: Start by mapping neighborhoods and testing them for a week each.

For daily life, you will notice a practical rhythm mixing affordable staples with pockets of comfort. In housing, search beyond the central core and target mixed-use neighborhoods; longer leases often unlock better rates, and walking distance to markets saves transit time. Food options are plentiful: mercados, stall kitchens, and casual eateries deliver local flavors at low cost. Transport relies on buses and shared rides; keep a transit card handy and expect occasional delays. Co-working spaces range from hourly open desks to monthly passes, with reliable wifi and social atmospheres. San Salvador, El Salvador living cost varies by neighborhood and season, so budget accordingly. Tip: Map a few neighborhoods, check lease terms, and test commuting times during peak hours.

For quality of life, you shape value by a flexible budgeting framework rather than fixed numbers. Try three buckets: housing and utilities, daily essentials (foods, transport), and flexible spending for experiences. Prioritize neighborhoods that match your pace – quiet residential cores for long work sessions, or lively districts for social life. Seasonality matters: rainy periods may shift commuting comfort and bike use, while festival seasons can lift dining costs or crowd prices in popular spots. To save, lean on local markets, prepare meals at home, and time your co-working or gym memberships to match your working rhythm. Tip: set a monthly review cadence to reallocate funds as you discover what truly supports your productivity and joy.