Cost of living in El Salvador compared to Italy
Currency:
Food | - 28% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in El Salvador is 28% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
El Salvador | Italy | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $10 (€9) | €18 | - 47% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $7 (€7) | €9 | - 29% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $2.16 (€2.01) | €4.99 | - 60% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.01 (€1.86) | €1.31 | + 42% | |
12 eggs, large | $2.56 (€2.38) | €3.65 | - 35% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $1.75 (€1.63) | €2.74 | - 41% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $4.07 (€3.78) | €7 | - 47% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $2.96 (€2.75) | €2.20 | + 25% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.13 (€1.98) | €1.69 | + 17% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.29 (€1.20) | €1.43 | - 16% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 (€16) | €8 | + 97% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $1.98 (€1.84) | €1.92 | - 4% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $0.97 (€0.90) | €1.28 | - 30% | |
Housing | - 25% | |||
Housing in El Salvador is 25% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
El Salvador | Italy | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,143 (€1,062) | €1,243 | - 15% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $673 (€625) | €938 | - 33% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $105 (€98) | €160 | - 39% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $567 (€527) | €854 | - 38% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $387 (€360) | €664 | - 46% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $46 (€43) | €122 | - 65% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $27 (€25) | €25 | + 1% | |
40” flat screen tv | $359 (€334) | €329 | + 2% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $85 (€79) | €136 | - 42% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $8 (€7) | €5.42 | + 38% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | €10 | - | |
Clothes | - 7% | |||
Clothes in El Salvador is 7% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
El Salvador | Italy | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $54 (€51) | €71 | - 28% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $42 (€39) | €37 | + 7% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $97 (€90) | €83 | + 8% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $74 (€68) | €105 | - 35% | |
Transportation | - 27% | |||
Transportation in El Salvador is 27% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
El Salvador | Italy | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $16,710 (€15,527) | €25,513 | - 39% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.28 (€1.19) | €1.83 | - 35% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $30 (€28) | €35 | - 19% | |
Personal Care | - 19% | |||
Personal Care in El Salvador is 19% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
El Salvador | Italy | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $6 (€5.59) | €11 | - 51% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $15 (€14) | €13 | + 2% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $33 (€30) | €72 | - 58% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $5.36 (€4.98) | €5.45 | - 9% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.87 (€3.59) | €3.22 | + 12% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.85 (€5.43) | €2.90 | + 87% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.22 (€2.07) | €1.79 | + 15% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $1.10 (€1.02) | €1.96 | - 48% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $11 (€10) | €19 | - 48% | |
Entertainment | - 32% | |||
Entertainment in El Salvador is 32% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
El Salvador | Italy | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $17 (€16) | €40 | - 60% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $10 (€9) | €17 | - 48% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | €74 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $43 (€40) | €73 | - 46% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $7 (€7) | €8 | - 16% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.63 (€4.30) | €1.90 | + 127% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $1.72 (€1.59) | €5.50 | - 71% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $611 (€568) | €547 | + 4% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.16 (€0.15) | €0.28 | - 46% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $37 (€34) | €48 | - 28% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (€7) | €5.58 | + 34% | |
TOTAL | - 26% |

These prices were last updated on March 23, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.929
EUR
/
USD
Cost of living in El Salvador is 26% cheaper than in Italy
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