Cost of Living in Santa Cruz - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Santa Cruz
Address: Santa Cruz, BO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $582 per month with rent, or $359 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,056 per month with rent, or $604 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,531 per month with rent, or $849 without housing.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.12 BOB 25.88

$1.28 BOB 15.58

$3.82 BOB 46.61

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$16.61 BOB 203

$10.80 BOB 132

$24.91 BOB 304

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.65 BOB 56.8

$4.16 BOB 50.8

$4.99 BOB 60.9

Cappuccino

$1.82 BOB 22.16

$0.85 BOB 10.40

$2.99 BOB 36.52

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

$0.49 BOB 5.96

$0.33 BOB 4.06

$0.98 BOB 11.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 BOB 5.28

$0.26 BOB 3.14

$0.87 BOB 10.56

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.98 BOB 12.02

$0.79 BOB 9.61

$2.19 BOB 26.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.24 BOB 15.10

$0.98 BOB 12.01

$2.47 BOB 30.09

Milk (1 liter)

$0.78 BOB 9.49

$0.61 BOB 7.47

$1.04 BOB 12.66

White Bread (500g)

$0.93 BOB 11.32

$0.57 BOB 6.96

$1.47 BOB 17.92

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.06 BOB 12.93

$0.68 BOB 8.33

$1.29 BOB 15.79

Eggs

$1.06 BOB 12.94

$0.75 BOB 9.11

$1.18 BOB 14.38

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.28 BOB 40.07

$1.30 BOB 15.85

$4.14 BOB 50.6

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.71 BOB 33.03

$1.31 BOB 15.95

$3.64 BOB 44.46

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.02 BOB 61.3

$4.03 BOB 49.12

$5.95 BOB 72.6

Apples (1kg)

$1.67 BOB 20.41

$0.83 BOB 10.08

$2.95 BOB 36.02

Banana (1kg)

$0.67 BOB 8.22

$0.41 BOB 5.01

$0.98 BOB 11.92

Oranges (1kg)

$0.81 BOB 9.84

$0.43 BOB 5.23

$1.02 BOB 12.46

Tomato (1kg)

$0.75 BOB 9.15

$0.43 BOB 5.27

$1.03 BOB 12.54

Potato (1kg)

$0.69 BOB 8.38

$0.41 BOB 4.96

$1.93 BOB 23.60

Onion (1kg)

$0.60 BOB 7.38

$0.33 BOB 4.05

$1.95 BOB 23.81

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.55 BOB 6.67

$0.41 BOB 5.00

$0.98 BOB 11.90

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 BOB 7.87

$0.50 BOB 6.08

$0.82 BOB 10.01

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.98 BOB 24.13

$1.90 BOB 23.13

$2.15 BOB 26.24

Wine (Bottle)

$4.27 BOB 52.1

$2.14 BOB 26.06

$6.41 BOB 78.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 BOB 12.71

$0.74 BOB 9.03

$1.65 BOB 20.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.60 BOB 19.48

$1.26 BOB 15.37

$2.51 BOB 30.61

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.26 BOB 3.20

$0.18 BOB 2.17

$0.31 BOB 3.84

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.36 BOB 273

$15.12 BOB 185

$29.44 BOB 359

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.67 BOB 20.37

$2.08 BOB 25.44

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.97 BOB 11.79

$0.85 BOB 10.43

$2.03 BOB 24.82

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.15 BOB 75.1

$3.46 BOB 42.16

$7.78 BOB 95.0

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.55 BOB 6.74

$0.31 BOB 3.78

$0.57 BOB 6.97

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

$15.5K BOB 189.0K

$13.8K BOB 168.2K

$17.2K BOB 209.8K

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

$19.4K BOB 236.3K

$21.1K BOB 256.8K

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

$34.44 BOB 420

$21.37 BOB 261

$85.5 BOB 1,043

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

$19.90 BOB 243

$12.82 BOB 156

$29.90 BOB 365

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$19.08 BOB 233

$8.42 BOB 103

$33.68 BOB 411

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.23 BOB 235

$8.42 BOB 103

$25.26 BOB 308

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.69 BOB 155

Cinema Ticket

$5.95 BOB 72.6

$4.25 BOB 51.9

$7.64 BOB 93.3

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

$126 BOB 1,532

$59.9 BOB 731

$214 BOB 2,612

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,948 BOB 36.0K

$1,827 BOB 22.3K

$5,906 BOB 72.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.02 BOB 317

$12.54 BOB 153

$37.62 BOB 459

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.88 BOB 389

$12.76 BOB 156

$59.5 BOB 726

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$65.4 BOB 798

$50.1 BOB 611

$83.5 BOB 1,019

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.8 BOB 693

$25.11 BOB 306

$83.7 BOB 1,021

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$270 BOB 3,290

$168 BOB 2,055

$699 BOB 8,522

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$185 BOB 2,261

$129 BOB 1,574

$387 BOB 4,727

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$616 BOB 7,516

$297 BOB 3,623

$1,509 BOB 18.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$681 BOB 8,311

$172 BOB 2,093

$1,220 BOB 14.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,288 BOB 15.7K

$760 BOB 9,269

$1,605 BOB 19.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$744 BOB 9,071

$670 BOB 8,179

$2,022 BOB 24.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$291 BOB 3,555

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.17

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

Last update: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $270, dropping to $185 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 93% of the average salary ($291) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $291 – below monthly costs of $582. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $114 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $17.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $22.36.

Cost Highlights

Santa Cruz has the 2nd cheapest eggs in South America

Santa Cruz has the 8th cheapest meal at budget restaurant in South America

Santa Cruz has the 10th cheapest chicken fillets in South America

Santa Cruz 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:

Cost of Living in Santa Cruz - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Santa Cruz, Bolivia sits mid-range for the region, offering a balance between urban conveniences and more affordable lifestyle choices. For travelers and digital nomads, the city often feels approachable without sacrificing access to coworking spaces, reliable internet, and lively markets. Local neighborhoods vary from leafy central districts to up-and-coming peripheral areas, which affects rent and monthly expenses in a practical way. Food, public transport, and everyday services tend to be reasonable, with shopping at mercados and street food options adding value. The city can be friendlier on the budget compared with larger capitals, especially if you favor longer stays and mid-range housing. Tip: Start with a 2-4 week housing trial in a central neighborhood to gauge your true expenses.

Santa Cruz, Bolivia living cost helps you plan days around housing, meals, and transport. Housing search tends to blend short-term stays and longer leases in areas like Equipetrol or the historic center, with a quick test period recommended. Groceries mix mercados for fresh produce with modern supermarkets for staples. For getting around, buses cover main routes while taxis and rideshare apps offer door-to-door options; many people also enjoy casual walks in safer neighborhoods. Co-working spaces with reliable Wi-Fi are common, and errands usually go smoothly at local banks, clinics, and markets. Tip: Prioritize neighborhoods that match your routine and commute.

Quality of life in Santa Cruz, Bolivia hinges on balancing budgets with a relaxed pace and outdoor access. Use a simple monthly framework: fixed housing, variable groceries, transport, and leisure. Leverage prominent weekend markets for value and diversify your meals with traditional staples and modern finds. Seasonality affects outdoor activities more than prices, with the rainy season shifting plans indoors occasionally; plan for sun-heavy days and occasional downpours. Neighborhood fit matters: seek walkable cores for daily errands or leafy outskirts for calmer mornings. Tip: build a short list of three favorite neighborhoods and test commute times before committing long-term.

By most standards, Santa Cruz is a budget-friendly place to live. Total monthly costs with rent usually land around $582, and both housing and daily expenses fall below global averages. It's a solid pick for remote workers, long-term travelers, or anyone watching their spending.

Housing in Santa Cruz takes a heavy bite – about 93% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.

In Santa Cruz, $873 per month is what most people would call a good salary. It handles rent, food, and utilities with enough left for savings and the occasional splurge. Above that, you unlock better apartments and more freedom with spending.

Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in Santa Cruz – 1-bedroom apartments range from $185 to $270 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.

Groceries in Santa Cruz are cheap – a single person spends about $114 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.

Public transport in Santa Cruz costs about $22.36 per month – usually unlimited rides on buses, metro, or trams within the main zone. Much cheaper than owning a car, and the practical choice for most residents.

$1,000 a month in Santa Cruz? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $582, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.

Santa Cruz has become a go-to for digital nomads thanks to vibrant nightlife, wellness scene, café culture. At around $582 monthly all-in, the value is strong for the infrastructure and lifestyle you get. Coworking spaces, solid internet, and a growing international crowd make remote work here both productive and social.

Santa Cruz is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $582 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

Santa Cruz is great for backpackers. All-in costs average just $582 monthly, and even short-term visitors on tight budgets can stretch their money. Cheap hostels, affordable street food, budget transport, and free attractions make it easy to explore without overspending.