Cost of living in Cuenca, Ecuador vs Quito, Ecuador
Currency:
Food | - 10% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Cuenca (Ecuador) is 10% cheaper than in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $7 | $11 | - 38% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $6 | $7 | - 11% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $2.71 | $3.12 | - 13% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.98 | $0.98 | - 1% | |
12 eggs, large | $2.09 | $2.09 | - 0% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $1.28 | $1.42 | - 10% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.43 | $4.37 | + 24% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $2.33 | $1.85 | + 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.40 | $1.31 | + 7% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.52 | $1.36 | + 12% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $12 | $15 | - 16% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $1.94 | $1.97 | - 2% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $1.19 | $0.94 | + 27% | |
Housing | - 13% | |||
Housing in Cuenca (Ecuador) is 13% cheaper than in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $512 | $769 | - 33% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $452 | $443 | + 2% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $63 | $51 | + 25% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $435 | $573 | - 24% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $334 | $306 | + 9% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $62 | $34 | + 84% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $27 | $25 | + 5% | |
40” flat screen tv | $472 | $546 | - 14% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $183 | $166 | + 10% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $7 | $7 | - 11% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $6 | $12 | - 49% | |
Clothes | - 8% | |||
Clothes in Cuenca (Ecuador) is 8% cheaper than in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $61 | $71 | - 14% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $48 | $50 | - 4% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $105 | $104 | + 1% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $64 | $91 | - 29% | |
Transportation | + 3% | |||
Transportation in Cuenca (Ecuador) is about the same as in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,860 | $22,323 | + 25% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.52 | $0.92 | - 44% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $22 | $23 | - 2% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $11 | $8 | + 31% | |
Personal Care | + 4% | |||
Personal Care in Cuenca (Ecuador) is about the same as in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $4.66 | $5.07 | - 8% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $10 | $10 | - 1% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $26 | $36 | - 27% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $5.50 | $5.77 | - 5% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.19 | $3.73 | + 12% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.91 | $4.63 | + 28% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.18 | $1.98 | + 10% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.45 | $1.61 | + 52% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $9 | $10 | - 4% | |
Entertainment | - 2% | |||
Entertainment in Cuenca (Ecuador) is about the same as in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $22 | $18 | + 20% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $14 | $11 | + 31% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $59 | $63 | - 6% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $27 | $47 | - 43% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $5.68 | $9 | - 38% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $2.47 | $4.93 | - 50% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $3.17 | $2.19 | + 45% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $617 | $690 | - 11% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.26 | $0.15 | + 77% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $44 | $57 | - 22% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $6 | $5.24 | + 15% | |
TOTAL | - 6% |

These prices were last updated on March 02, 2021.
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Cost of living in Cuenca (Ecuador) is 6% cheaper than in Quito (Ecuador)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $2,300 in Quito you would need to make just about $2,172 in Cuenca.
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