Cost of living in Nicaragua compared to China
Currency:
Food | + 33% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Nicaragua is 33% more expensive than in China | ||||
Nicaragua | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 483 C$ (95元) | 42元 | + 126% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 237 C$ (47元) | 39元 | + 21% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 101 C$ (20元) | 14元 | + 38% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 42 C$ (8元) | 14元 | - 40% | |
12 eggs, large | 88 C$ (17元) | 16元 | + 12% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 48 C$ (9元) | 10元 | - 8% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 91 C$ (18元) | 50元 | - 64% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 153 C$ (30元) | 16元 | + 85% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 95 C$ (19元) | 6元 | + 188% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 50 C$ (10元) | 6元 | + 53% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 797 C$ (157元) | 89元 | + 77% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 48 C$ (9元) | 8元 | + 13% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 33 C$ (6元) | 13元 | - 48% | |
Housing | - 16% | |||
Housing in Nicaragua is 16% cheaper than in China | ||||
Nicaragua | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | 12,713元 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | 5,917元 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,436 C$ (283元) | 450元 | - 37% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 4,900 C$ (965元) | 6,564元 | - 85% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,600 C$ (709元) | 3,518元 | - 80% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 600 C$ (118元) | 296元 | - 60% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,266 C$ (249元) | 100元 | + 150% | |
40” flat screen tv | 15,263 C$ (3,004元) | 1,460元 | + 106% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,393 C$ (668元) | 553元 | + 21% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 219 C$ (43元) | 43元 | + 0% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 231 C$ (46元) | 55元 | - 18% | |
Clothes | - 21% | |||
Clothes in Nicaragua is 21% cheaper than in China | ||||
Nicaragua | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,942 C$ (382元) | 418元 | - 8% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,000 C$ (197元) | 296元 | - 34% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,725 C$ (536元) | 553元 | - 3% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,600 C$ (512元) | 705元 | - 27% | |
Transportation | - 36% | |||
Transportation in Nicaragua is 36% cheaper than in China | ||||
Nicaragua | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 556,894 C$ (109,619元) | 148,726元 | - 26% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 46 C$ (9元) | 8元 | + 19% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 411 C$ (81元) | 228元 | - 65% | |
Personal Care | - 18% | |||
Personal Care in Nicaragua is 18% cheaper than in China | ||||
Nicaragua | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 369 C$ (73元) | 42元 | + 74% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 84 C$ (17元) | 59元 | - 72% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 650 C$ (128元) | 114元 | + 13% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 150 C$ (30元) | 67元 | - 56% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 129 C$ (25元) | 57元 | - 56% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 200 C$ (39元) | 25元 | + 58% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 117 C$ (23元) | 6元 | + 272% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 69 C$ (13元) | 13元 | + 8% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 285 C$ (56元) | 85元 | - 34% | |
Entertainment | - 34% | |||
Entertainment in Nicaragua is 34% cheaper than in China | ||||
Nicaragua | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 C$ (98元) | 178元 | - 45% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 391 C$ (77元) | 105元 | - 26% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 700 C$ (138元) | 1,179元 | - 88% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,000 C$ (197元) | 320元 | - 39% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 300 C$ (59元) | 81元 | - 27% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 250 C$ (49元) | 28元 | + 78% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 25 C$ (4.92元) | 19元 | - 74% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 16,876 C$ (3,322元) | 3,924元 | - 15% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 C$ (0.39元) | 0.34元 | + 18% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 559 C$ (110元) | 412元 | - 73% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 168 C$ (33元) | 25元 | + 33% | |
TOTAL | - 15% |

These prices were last updated on May 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.19684
CNY
/
NIO
Cost of living in Nicaragua is 15% cheaper than in China
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 61% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Argentina is 28% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Armenia is 30% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Andorra is 83% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Albania is 9% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 164% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 67% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in China