Cost of living in Nicaragua compared to Mexico
Currency:
Food | - 25% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Nicaragua is 25% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Nicaragua | Mexico | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 313 C$ (Mex$ 151) | Mex$ 267 | - 44% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 253 C$ (Mex$ 122) | Mex$ 148 | - 18% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 69 C$ (Mex$ 33) | Mex$ 68 | - 51% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 38 C$ (Mex$ 18) | Mex$ 26 | - 29% | |
12 eggs, large | 75 C$ (Mex$ 36) | Mex$ 45 | - 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 58 C$ (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 26 | + 9% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 100 C$ (Mex$ 48) | Mex$ 87 | - 45% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 109 C$ (Mex$ 52) | Mex$ 48 | + 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 82 C$ (Mex$ 39) | Mex$ 32 | + 24% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 52 C$ (Mex$ 25) | Mex$ 28 | - 12% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 562 C$ (Mex$ 270) | Mex$ 257 | + 5% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 50 C$ (Mex$ 24) | Mex$ 34 | - 30% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 31 C$ (Mex$ 15) | Mex$ 24 | - 37% | |
Housing | - 37% | |||
Housing in Nicaragua is 37% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Nicaragua | Mexico | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 16,367 C$ (Mex$ 7,879) | Mex$ 20,800 | - 62% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 12,364 C$ (Mex$ 5,952) | Mex$ 10,455 | - 43% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,561 C$ (Mex$ 751) | Mex$ 1,047 | - 28% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 16,315 C$ (Mex$ 7,854) | Mex$ 12,991 | - 40% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 11,928 C$ (Mex$ 5,742) | Mex$ 6,721 | - 15% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 984 C$ (Mex$ 474) | Mex$ 717 | - 34% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 784 C$ (Mex$ 377) | Mex$ 396 | - 5% | |
40” flat screen tv | 14,364 C$ (Mex$ 6,915) | Mex$ 6,631 | + 4% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 5,170 C$ (Mex$ 2,489) | Mex$ 2,526 | - 1% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 169 C$ (Mex$ 81) | Mex$ 116 | - 30% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 250 C$ (Mex$ 120) | Mex$ 124 | - 3% | |
Clothes | - 10% | |||
Clothes in Nicaragua is 10% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Nicaragua | Mexico | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,502 C$ (Mex$ 723) | Mex$ 969 | - 25% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,374 C$ (Mex$ 661) | Mex$ 712 | - 7% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 3,130 C$ (Mex$ 1,507) | Mex$ 1,696 | - 11% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,713 C$ (Mex$ 1,306) | Mex$ 1,261 | + 4% | |
Transportation | - 43% | |||
Transportation in Nicaragua is 43% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Nicaragua | Mexico | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 535,818 C$ (Mex$ 257,945) | Mex$ 386,961 | - 33% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 53 C$ (Mex$ 26) | Mex$ 23 | + 13% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 243 C$ (Mex$ 117) | Mex$ 543 | - 78% | |
Personal Care | - 15% | |||
Personal Care in Nicaragua is 15% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Nicaragua | Mexico | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 158 C$ (Mex$ 76) | Mex$ 92 | - 17% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 288 C$ (Mex$ 139) | Mex$ 200 | - 31% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 817 C$ (Mex$ 393) | Mex$ 589 | - 33% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 262 C$ (Mex$ 126) | Mex$ 76 | + 66% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 99 C$ (Mex$ 48) | Mex$ 61 | - 21% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 193 C$ (Mex$ 93) | Mex$ 67 | + 38% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 92 C$ (Mex$ 44) | Mex$ 40 | + 11% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 47 C$ (Mex$ 23) | Mex$ 35 | - 35% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 285 C$ (Mex$ 137) | Mex$ 244 | - 44% | |
Entertainment | - 21% | |||
Entertainment in Nicaragua is 21% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Nicaragua | Mexico | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 445 C$ (Mex$ 214) | Mex$ 363 | - 41% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 336 C$ (Mex$ 162) | Mex$ 156 | + 3% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,500 C$ (Mex$ 722) | Mex$ 724 | - 0% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,690 C$ (Mex$ 814) | Mex$ 768 | + 6% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 244 C$ (Mex$ 118) | Mex$ 164 | - 28% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 131 C$ (Mex$ 63) | Mex$ 80 | - 21% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 73 C$ (Mex$ 35) | Mex$ 45 | - 22% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 16,876 C$ (Mex$ 8,124) | Mex$ 11,520 | - 29% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.86 C$ (Mex$ 1.86) | Mex$ 2.31 | - 19% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,259 C$ (Mex$ 606) | Mex$ 883 | - 31% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 136 C$ (Mex$ 65) | Mex$ 78 | - 17% | |
TOTAL | - 30% |

These prices were last updated on May 29, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.48140
MXN
/
NIO
Cost of living in Nicaragua is 30% cheaper than in Mexico
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