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% |

These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Cost of living in El Salvador is 50% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 41% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 28% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 18% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 62% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Albania is 55% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 24% cheaper than in United States