Cost of living in El Salvador compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 37% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in El Salvador is 37% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| El Salvador | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $12 | $19 | - 33% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 | $10 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $2.76 | $5.79 | - 52% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.03 | $1.09 | + 87% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.94 | $4.95 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $1.70 | $4.69 | - 64% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $4.87 | $7 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $2.88 | $4.66 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.36 | $2.49 | - 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.38 | $3.15 | - 56% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 | $16 | - 14% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.25 | $2.77 | - 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $0.97 | $2.99 | - 67% | |
| Housing | - 65% | |||
| Housing in El Salvador is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| El Salvador | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $951 | $2,830 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $656 | $2,146 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $73 | $220 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $609 | $1,881 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $443 | $1,439 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $40 | $145 | - 72% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $20 | $64 | - 68% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $320 | $299 | + 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $96 | $135 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $7 | $13 | - 50% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $32 | - | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in El Salvador is about the same as in United States | ||||
| El Salvador | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $67 | $54 | + 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $46 | $45 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $98 | $93 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $89 | $119 | - 25% | |
| Transportation | - 43% | |||
| Transportation in El Salvador is 43% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| El Salvador | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $19,245 | $27,884 | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.58 | $1.05 | + 51% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $30 | $79 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | - 42% | |||
| Personal Care in El Salvador is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| El Salvador | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $6 | $8 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 | $20 | + 2% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $34 | $139 | - 75% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $4.46 | $8 | - 47% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.76 | $4.82 | - 22% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.51 | $6 | - 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.11 | $4.77 | - 56% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.12 | $2.25 | - 50% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $10 | $27 | - 62% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in El Salvador is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| El Salvador | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $18 | $55 | - 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $11 | $28 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $30 | $195 | - 85% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $44 | $90 | - 51% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $7 | $14 | - 53% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.83 | $5.20 | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $2.14 | $6 | - 66% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $635 | $552 | + 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.15 | $0.21 | - 27% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $39 | $54 | - 28% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $3.88 | $10 | - 61% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 22,290 prices entered by 2,842 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 10, 2023.
Cost of living in El Salvador is 48% cheaper than in United States
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