Cost of living in El Salvador compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 51% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in El Salvador is 51% more expensive than in China | ||||
| El Salvador | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (107元) | 41元 | + 157% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (57元) | 38元 | + 50% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $3.19 (23元) | 15元 | + 56% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.14 (15元) | 14元 | + 10% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.29 (24元) | 16元 | + 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $2.66 (19元) | 10元 | + 83% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.28 (38元) | 50元 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $2.90 (21元) | 16元 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.26 (16元) | 6元 | + 150% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.64 (12元) | 7元 | + 76% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 (122元) | 89元 | + 38% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.15 (15元) | 8元 | + 92% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $0.89 (6元) | 13元 | - 49% | |
| Housing | + 10% | |||
| Housing in El Salvador is 10% more expensive than in China | ||||
| El Salvador | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,499 (10,775元) | 11,256元 | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $747 (5,367元) | 5,248元 | + 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $107 (772元) | 450元 | + 72% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $807 (5,799元) | 6,564元 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $461 (3,315元) | 3,518元 | - 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $67 (480元) | 296元 | + 62% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $26 (190元) | 100元 | + 90% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $345 (2,479元) | 1,460元 | + 70% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $143 (1,028元) | 553元 | + 86% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $6 (45元) | 43元 | + 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $13 (93元) | 50元 | + 88% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in El Salvador is about the same as in China | ||||
| El Salvador | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $54 (390元) | 418元 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $40 (286元) | 302元 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $113 (813元) | 553元 | + 47% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $95 (680元) | 705元 | - 3% | |
| Transportation | - 0% | |||
| Transportation in El Salvador is about the same as in China | ||||
| El Salvador | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $20,844 (149,833元) | 137,169元 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.35 (10元) | 8元 | + 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $27 (196元) | 228元 | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | + 5% | |||
| Personal Care in El Salvador is 5% more expensive than in China | ||||
| El Salvador | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $5.28 (38元) | 45元 | - 15% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $8 (59元) | 59元 | + 0% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $40 (284元) | 114元 | + 150% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (48元) | 67元 | - 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.68 (34元) | 57元 | - 41% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 (57元) | 25元 | + 128% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.31 (17元) | 6元 | + 169% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.95 (14元) | 15元 | - 9% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $13 (94元) | 64元 | + 46% | |
| Entertainment | + 19% | |||
| Entertainment in El Salvador is 19% more expensive than in China | ||||
| El Salvador | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $23 (167元) | 169元 | - 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $11 (80元) | 100元 | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $45 (325元) | 1,179元 | - 72% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $64 (458元) | 320元 | + 43% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $9 (63元) | 81元 | - 22% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.32 (38元) | 28元 | + 39% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $1.88 (13元) | 19元 | - 30% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $695 (4,996元) | 3,680元 | + 36% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.14 (1.04元) | 0.34元 | + 210% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $62 (446元) | 394元 | + 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $3.91 (28元) | 25元 | + 14% | |
| TOTAL | + 15% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,045 prices entered by 142 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
7.189
CNY
/
USD
Cost of living in El Salvador is 15% more expensive than in China
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