Central America Updated
Average Cost of Living in San-Salvador-El-Salvador
The average cost of living in San-Salvador-El-Salvador, El Salvador is $1,113 per month for a single person, and $2,522 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $899 per month. The local average net salary is $380 per month.
Very affordable
Updated today
Index 25.3 · NYC = 100
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $1,113 / month
- Family of 4
- $2,522 / mo
- Student
- $642 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in San-Salvador-El-Salvador
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
Interactive
You need at least
$0 / month
Annual gross (25% tax)
$0
vs. local average net salary
$379.71 / month
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for San-Salvador-El-Salvador | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in San-Salvador-El-Salvador | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in San-Salvador-El-Salvador | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in San-Salvador-El-Salvador | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in San-Salvador-El-Salvador | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in San-Salvador-El-Salvador | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in San-Salvador-El-Salvador | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in San-Salvador-El-Salvador | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in San-Salvador-El-Salvador | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in San-Salvador-El-Salvador | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| San-Salvador-El-Salvador FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in San-Salvador-El-Salvador. |
Rent & Property Prices in San-Salvador-El-Salvador
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $899 | $704 – $1,140 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $770 | $650 – $1,000 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,810 | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $1,360 | $900 – $1,800 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $2,778 | $2,500 – $3,223 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $1,824 | $1,632 – $2,500 |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $899$704 – $1,140
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $770$650 – $1,000
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,810$1,500 – $2,500
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,360$900 – $1,800
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $2,778$2,500 – $3,223
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $1,824$1,632 – $2,500
Grocery Prices in San-Salvador-El-Salvador
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $1.81 | $1.48 – $3.00 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $2.81 | $1.50 – $7.72 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $1.30 | $0.99 – $1.54 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $2.79 | $1.60 – $4.80 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $7.00 | $3.50 – $22 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $7.11 | $5.50 – $15 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $9.50 | $7.00 – $12 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $4.69 | $1.00 – $8.00 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $1.63 | $0.64 – $2.20 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $2.85 | $0.99 – $5.00 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $2.90 | $1.00 – $4.00 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $2.57 | $1.00 – $4.41 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $2.58 | $1.00 – $4.41 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $0.90 | $0.50 – $1.25 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $1.04 | $0.50 – $2.35 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $11 | $6.00 – $15 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $2.23 | $1.00 – $3.03 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $2.76 | $2.00 – $3.25 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $4.00 | $4.00 – $6.00 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $1.81$1.48 – $3.00
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $2.81$1.50 – $7.72
- White Rice (1 kg) $1.30$0.99 – $1.54
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $2.79$1.60 – $4.80
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $7.00$3.50 – $22
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $7.11$5.50 – $15
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $9.50$7.00 – $12
- Apples (1 kg) $4.69$1.00 – $8.00
- Bananas (1 kg) $1.63$0.64 – $2.20
- Oranges (1 kg) $2.85$0.99 – $5.00
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $2.90$1.00 – $4.00
- Potatoes (1 kg) $2.57$1.00 – $4.41
- Onions (1 kg) $2.58$1.00 – $4.41
- Lettuce (1 Head) $0.90$0.50 – $1.25
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $1.04$0.50 – $2.35
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $11$6.00 – $15
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $2.23$1.00 – $3.03
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $2.76$2.00 – $3.25
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $4.00$4.00 – $6.00
Public Transport & Car Costs in San-Salvador-El-Salvador
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $0.35 | $0.25 – $0.50 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $15 | $0.00 – $60 |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $6.00 | $5.00 – $10 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $3.00 | $3.00 – $3.11 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $20 | $20 – $30 |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.08 | $0.97 – $1.23 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $25,000 | $22,000 – $30,000 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $27,200 | $27,200 – $30,000 |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $0.35$0.25 – $0.50
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $15$0.00 – $60
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $6.00$5.00 – $10
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $3.00$3.00 – $3.11
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $20$20 – $30
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.08$0.97 – $1.23
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $25,000$22,000 – $30,000
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $27,200$27,200 – $30,000
Utility & Internet Costs in San-Salvador-El-Salvador
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $130 | $80 – $200 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $21 | $15 – $32 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $43 | $40 – $50 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $130$80 – $200
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $21$15 – $32
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $43$40 – $50
Childcare & Preschool in San-Salvador-El-Salvador
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $163 | $100 – $400 |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $4,720 | $3,000 – $11,500 |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $163$100 – $400
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $4,720$3,000 – $11,500
Clothing Prices in San-Salvador-El-Salvador
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $65 | $45 – $100 |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $44 | $30 – $100 |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $118 | $75 – $250 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $121 | $70 – $250 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $65$45 – $100
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $44$30 – $100
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $118$75 – $250
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $121$70 – $250
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in San-Salvador-El-Salvador
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $32 | $20 – $90 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $20 | $15 – $25 |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $5.00 | $5.00 – $6.50 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $32$20 – $90
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $20$15 – $25
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $5.00$5.00 – $6.50
Restaurant Prices in San-Salvador-El-Salvador
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $7.00 | $3.50 – $15 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $45 | $30 – $60 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $7.00 | $6.00 – $7.50 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $2.00 | $1.50 – $3.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $3.50 | $3.00 – $5.00 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $3.23 | $1.95 – $4.00 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.28 | $0.60 – $3.00 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.86 | $0.50 – $2.00 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $7.00$3.50 – $15
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $45$30 – $60
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $7.00$6.00 – $7.50
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $2.00$1.50 – $3.00
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $3.50$3.00 – $5.00
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $3.23$1.95 – $4.00
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.28$0.60 – $3.00
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $0.86$0.50 – $2.00
Salaries & Mortgages in San-Salvador-El-Salvador
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $380 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 8.50% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $380
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 8.50%
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in San-Salvador-El-Salvador?
- An estimated $1,113 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in San-Salvador-El-Salvador. A family of four needs around $2,522 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $642.
- How much money do I need to live in San-Salvador-El-Salvador?
- Plan for at least $1,113 per month as a single person, $2,522 per month for a family of four, or $642 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to San-Salvador-El-Salvador.
- What is the average rent in San-Salvador-El-Salvador?
- A one-bedroom apartment in San-Salvador-El-Salvador rents for around $899 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $1,810 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in San-Salvador-El-Salvador?
- The average monthly net salary in San-Salvador-El-Salvador is around $380. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 237% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in San-Salvador-El-Salvador?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in San-Salvador-El-Salvador costs around $7.00. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $66 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($1.81/L) and bread ($2.81/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in San-Salvador-El-Salvador?
- A monthly public transport pass in San-Salvador-El-Salvador costs around $15. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in San-Salvador-El-Salvador?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in San-Salvador-El-Salvador costs around $43 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.