Cost of living in Ecuador compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | - 16% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ecuador is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Ecuador | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $10 (¥1,407) | ¥1,035 | + 36% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $7 (¥1,070) | ¥840 | + 27% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $3.11 (¥460) | ¥618 | - 26% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.06 (¥157) | ¥237 | - 34% | |
12 eggs, large | $2.35 (¥348) | ¥335 | + 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $1.51 (¥223) | ¥439 | - 49% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.08 (¥751) | ¥1,195 | - 37% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $1.69 (¥250) | ¥822 | - 70% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.27 (¥188) | ¥509 | - 63% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.81 (¥268) | ¥303 | - 12% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $12 (¥1,811) | ¥1,267 | + 43% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.10 (¥311) | ¥276 | + 13% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $1.10 (¥163) | ¥293 | - 44% | |
Housing | - 57% | |||
Housing in Ecuador is 57% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Ecuador | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $746 (¥110,328) | ¥365,082 | - 70% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $453 (¥67,026) | ¥197,136 | - 66% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $50 (¥7,387) | ¥19,132 | - 61% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $499 (¥73,731) | ¥145,654 | - 49% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $302 (¥44,623) | ¥102,459 | - 56% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $37 (¥5,485) | ¥8,349 | - 34% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $20 (¥2,958) | ¥4,448 | - 33% | |
40” flat screen tv | $395 (¥58,374) | ¥74,559 | - 22% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $118 (¥17,400) | ¥25,414 | - 32% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $6 (¥939) | ¥1,338 | - 30% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $9 (¥1,269) | ¥2,815 | - 55% | |
Clothes | + 11% | |||
Clothes in Ecuador is 11% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Ecuador | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $56 (¥8,219) | ¥9,315 | - 12% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (¥6,297) | ¥5,103 | + 23% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $100 (¥14,726) | ¥9,892 | + 49% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $79 (¥11,679) | ¥12,189 | - 4% | |
Transportation | - 35% | |||
Transportation in Ecuador is 35% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Ecuador | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $21,660 (¥3,203,269) | ¥3,122,540 | + 3% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.05 (¥155) | ¥169 | - 9% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $26 (¥3,834) | ¥8,198 | - 53% | |
Personal Care | - 25% | |||
Personal Care in Ecuador is 25% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Ecuador | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $5.74 (¥849) | ¥2,133 | - 60% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $10 (¥1,438) | ¥2,551 | - 44% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $44 (¥6,541) | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $5.27 (¥779) | ¥1,337 | - 42% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.75 (¥703) | ¥930 | - 24% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (¥940) | ¥622 | + 51% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.13 (¥315) | ¥224 | + 40% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $1.82 (¥269) | ¥188 | + 44% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $14 (¥1,999) | ¥4,604 | - 57% | |
Entertainment | - 14% | |||
Entertainment in Ecuador is 14% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Ecuador | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $22 (¥3,206) | ¥4,908 | - 35% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $13 (¥1,947) | ¥3,881 | - 50% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $47 (¥6,907) | ¥7,212 | - 4% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $49 (¥7,220) | ¥8,269 | - 13% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $10 (¥1,494) | ¥1,244 | + 20% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $3.81 (¥563) | ¥547 | + 3% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $2.53 (¥375) | ¥674 | - 44% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $631 (¥93,304) | ¥51,659 | + 81% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.30 (¥44) | ¥52 | - 16% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $43 (¥6,377) | ¥9,530 | - 33% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $6 (¥888) | ¥602 | + 48% | |
TOTAL | - 33% |

These prices were last updated on May 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
147.888
JPY
/
USD
Cost of living in Ecuador is 33% cheaper than in Japan
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