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 | $15 | $22 | - 31% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 | $12 | - 34% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $3.19 | $5.93 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.14 | $1.09 | + 96% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.29 | $5.62 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $2.66 | $4.83 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.28 | $8 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $2.90 | $4.23 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.26 | $2.30 | - 2% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.64 | $3.70 | - 56% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 | $18 | - 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.15 | $2.94 | - 27% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $0.89 | $3.01 | - 71% | |
| Housing | - 59% | |||
| Housing in El Salvador is 59% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| El Salvador | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,499 | $3,070 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $747 | $2,361 | - 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $107 | $237 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $807 | $2,222 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $461 | $1,628 | - 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $67 | $168 | - 60% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $26 | $62 | - 57% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $345 | $251 | + 37% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $143 | $150 | - 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $6 | $15 | - 58% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $13 | $34 | - 61% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in El Salvador is 14% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| El Salvador | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $54 | $58 | - 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $40 | $49 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $113 | $106 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $95 | $141 | - 33% | |
| Transportation | - 50% | |||
| Transportation in El Salvador is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| El Salvador | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $20,844 | $30,916 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.35 | $0.93 | + 44% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $27 | $85 | - 68% | |
| Personal Care | - 51% | |||
| Personal Care in El Salvador is 51% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| El Salvador | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $5.28 | $10 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $8 | $24 | - 66% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $40 | $167 | - 76% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 | $10 | - 31% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.68 | $5.29 | - 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 | $7 | + 11% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.31 | $5.05 | - 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.95 | $2.37 | - 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $13 | $31 | - 58% | |
| Entertainment | - 50% | |||
| Entertainment in El Salvador is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| El Salvador | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $23 | $61 | - 62% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $11 | $31 | - 64% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $45 | $234 | - 81% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $64 | $104 | - 39% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $9 | $15 | - 42% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.32 | $6 | - 12% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $1.88 | $8 | - 75% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $695 | $464 | + 50% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.14 | $0.52 | - 72% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $62 | $70 | - 12% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $3.91 | $11 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | - 50% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 16,142 prices entered by 1,826 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Cost of living in El Salvador is 50% cheaper than in United States
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