Cost of living in El Salvador compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in El Salvador is 5% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| El Salvador | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (¥2,159) | ¥1,035 | + 109% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (¥1,156) | ¥817 | + 41% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $3.19 (¥464) | ¥618 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.14 (¥311) | ¥237 | + 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.29 (¥478) | ¥335 | + 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $2.66 (¥386) | ¥439 | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.28 (¥768) | ¥1,195 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $2.90 (¥421) | ¥822 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.26 (¥328) | ¥509 | - 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.64 (¥238) | ¥312 | - 24% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 (¥2,475) | ¥1,267 | + 95% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.15 (¥312) | ¥276 | + 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $0.89 (¥129) | ¥293 | - 56% | |
| Housing | - 32% | |||
| Housing in El Salvador is 32% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| El Salvador | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,499 (¥217,946) | ¥365,082 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $747 (¥108,558) | ¥197,811 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $107 (¥15,618) | ¥19,132 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $807 (¥117,302) | ¥145,654 | - 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $461 (¥67,052) | ¥106,059 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $67 (¥9,707) | ¥8,349 | + 16% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $26 (¥3,836) | ¥4,448 | - 14% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $345 (¥50,145) | ¥74,559 | - 33% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $143 (¥20,798) | ¥25,414 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $6 (¥905) | ¥1,338 | - 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $13 (¥1,890) | ¥2,815 | - 33% | |
| Clothes | + 9% | |||
| Clothes in El Salvador is 9% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| El Salvador | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $54 (¥7,898) | ¥9,315 | - 15% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $40 (¥5,782) | ¥5,103 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $113 (¥16,444) | ¥9,892 | + 66% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $95 (¥13,762) | ¥12,189 | + 13% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in El Salvador is 31% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| El Salvador | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $20,844 (¥3,030,666) | ¥3,060,780 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.35 (¥196) | ¥169 | + 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $27 (¥3,967) | ¥8,198 | - 52% | |
| Personal Care | - 25% | |||
| Personal Care in El Salvador is 25% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| El Salvador | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $5.28 (¥768) | ¥2,133 | - 64% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $8 (¥1,203) | ¥2,551 | - 53% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $40 (¥5,751) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (¥966) | ¥1,337 | - 28% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.68 (¥681) | ¥930 | - 27% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 (¥1,154) | ¥622 | + 86% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.31 (¥336) | ¥224 | + 50% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.95 (¥284) | ¥188 | + 51% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $13 (¥1,899) | ¥4,604 | - 59% | |
| Entertainment | - 21% | |||
| Entertainment in El Salvador is 21% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| El Salvador | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $23 (¥3,368) | ¥4,908 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $11 (¥1,617) | ¥3,881 | - 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $45 (¥6,569) | ¥7,212 | - 9% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $64 (¥9,258) | ¥8,269 | + 12% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $9 (¥1,275) | ¥1,244 | + 3% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.32 (¥774) | ¥547 | + 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $1.88 (¥273) | ¥674 | - 60% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $695 (¥101,048) | ¥51,659 | + 96% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.14 (¥21) | ¥52 | - 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $62 (¥9,014) | ¥9,530 | - 5% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $3.91 (¥569) | ¥613 | - 7% | |
| TOTAL | - 21% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 799 prices entered by 128 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
145.401
JPY
/
USD
Cost of living in El Salvador is 21% cheaper than in Japan
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