Cost of Living in Santa Ana - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $621 (excluding rent), and $784 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,444 (excluding rent), and $1,706 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.54 $2.54

$15.25 $15.25

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.03 $18.03

$60.1 $60.1

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.04 $5.04

$7.58 $7.58

Cappuccino

$1.96 $1.96

$1.48 $1.48

$4.44 $4.44

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

$0.73 $0.73

$2.08 $2.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.59 $0.59

$0.98 $0.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.27 $1.27

$3.05 $3.05

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.46 $2.46

$4.92 $4.92

Milk (1 liter)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.43 $1.43

$3.07 $3.07

White Bread (500g)

$1.96 $1.96

$0.98 $0.98

$7.53 $7.53

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.48 $1.48

$0.63 $0.63

$1.95 $1.95

Eggs

$2.87 $2.87

$1.83 $1.83

$4.68 $4.68

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.07 $7.07

$4.02 $4.02

$22.17 $22.17

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.74 $6.74

$4.21 $4.21

$8.79 $8.79

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.95 $10.95

$6.06 $6.06

$15.57 $15.57

Apples (1kg)

$3.2 $3.2

$1.01 $1.01

$5.54 $5.54

Banana (1kg)

$1.64 $1.64

$0.77 $0.77

$2.92 $2.92

Oranges (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$0.98 $0.98

$4.36 $4.36

Tomato (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.02 $1.02

$3.58 $3.58

Potato (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

$0.97 $0.97

$3.69 $3.69

Onion (1kg)

$2.17 $2.17

$1.01 $1.01

$3.03 $3.03

Lettuce (1 head)

$1 $1

$0.51 $0.51

$1.53 $1.53

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 $1.02

$0.6 $0.6

$2.29 $2.29

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.02 $4.02

$4.52 $4.52

Wine (Bottle)

$10.1 $10.1

$6.06 $6.06

$18.18 $18.18

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 $1.69

$0.98 $0.98

$2.22 $2.22

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.96 $1.96

$3.21 $3.21

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 $0.29

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.47 $5.47

$3.98 $3.98

$9.94 $9.94

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.03 $3.03

$4.04 $4.04

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.7 $19.7

$9.85 $9.85

$29.54 $29.54

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 $0.93

$1.12 $1.12

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

$23.2K $23.2K

$30.2K $30.2K

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

$27.7K $27.7K

$24.6K $24.6K

$29.5K $29.5K

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

$39.75 $39.75

$119 $119

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

$19.24 $19.24

$15.09 $15.09

$32.19 $32.19

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.65 $39.65

$30.5 $30.5

$50.8 $50.8

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.31 $35.31

Cinema Ticket

$4.89 $4.89

$6.36 $6.36

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

$146 $146

$91.9 $91.9

$200 $200

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,842 $5,842

$2,502 $2,502

$11.3K $11.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.2 $66.2

$49.26 $49.26

$73.9 $73.9

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.05 $44.05

$35.58 $35.58

$50.8 $50.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 $115

$79.5 $79.5

$129 $129

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$103 $103

$78.6 $78.6

$118 $118

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$295 $295

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$150 $150

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$503 $503

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$295 $295

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 29, 2025

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Cost of Living in Santa Ana - Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana offers a slower pace and a growing mix of affordable basics with approachable options for housing and meals, especially if you pick neighborhoods away from the busiest tourist hubs. You can balance occasional splurges with cooking at home and choosing communal workspaces instead of premium offices. Cost of Living in Santa Ana, El Salvador provides a practical baseline, often feeling friendlier to a moderate budget than larger capitals in the region, while still offering cultural flavor and access to nature. The key is flexibility: mix local markets, modest apartments, and short commutes to keep daily costs predictable. Tip: map a weekly plan to stay on track.

Daily life blends market-bought meals, local eateries, and flexible housing. Begin with short-term rentals in the casco antiguo to test vibes, then explore quieter neighborhoods for more space. Groceries at mercados stay affordable if you buy seasonal produce and bulk staples. Transport works with buses or shared rides; a scooter can boost independence without breaking the budget. Co-working spaces near the city center offer reliable workdays without long commutes. Understanding Santa Ana, El Salvador living cost helps you pace a month and choose a balance of home-cooked meals and occasional outings. Tip: schedule errands by neighborhood to minimize back-and-forth trips.

Quality of life hinges on neighborhood fit in Santa Ana, El Salvador, offering markets, cafes, and parks within easy reach. Use a simple budgeting framework: set fixed costs (rent, utilities) and a flexible envelope for food, transport, and activities, then review monthly. Seasonality affects outings and travel delays, so build a small cushion. For savings, consider longer-term housing, shared spaces, and fieldwork-friendly neighborhoods with coworking access. Each area has its own rhythm – downtown spots for cultural life, calmer residential blocks for routines, and hillside zones for views. Tip: spend a weekend in different districts at varying times to feel the vibe.