Cost of living in Nicaragua compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 55% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Nicaragua is 55% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 252 C$ ($7) | $17 | - 59% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 219 C$ ($6) | $9 | - 33% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 70 C$ ($1.95) | $5.08 | - 62% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 32 C$ ($0.90) | $0.99 | - 9% | |
12 eggs, large | 59 C$ ($1.65) | $3.31 | - 50% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 50 C$ ($1.39) | $4.41 | - 68% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 76 C$ ($2.12) | $7 | - 69% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 85 C$ ($2.38) | $3.92 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 43 C$ ($1.19) | $1.95 | - 39% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 35 C$ ($0.97) | $3.35 | - 71% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 681 C$ ($19) | $16 | + 21% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 40 C$ ($1.12) | $2.25 | - 50% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 23 C$ ($0.66) | $2.49 | - 74% | |
Housing | - 77% | |||
Housing in Nicaragua is 77% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 16,810 C$ ($470) | $2,528 | - 81% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 6,557 C$ ($183) | $1,959 | - 91% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,509 C$ ($42) | $202 | - 79% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 12,171 C$ ($340) | $1,772 | - 81% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,369 C$ ($178) | $1,345 | - 87% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,573 C$ ($44) | $138 | - 68% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 926 C$ ($26) | $57 | - 54% | |
40” flat screen tv | 15,986 C$ ($447) | $302 | + 48% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 4,814 C$ ($135) | $136 | - 1% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 190 C$ ($5.30) | $12 | - 56% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 88 C$ ($2.47) | $26 | - 91% | |
Clothes | - 59% | |||
Clothes in Nicaragua is 59% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,118 C$ ($31) | $51 | - 39% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 599 C$ ($17) | $47 | - 64% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,563 C$ ($44) | $92 | - 53% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,329 C$ ($37) | $119 | - 69% | |
Transportation | - 66% | |||
Transportation in Nicaragua is 66% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 504,849 C$ ($14,114) | $25,234 | - 44% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 40 C$ ($1.11) | $1.05 | + 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 370 C$ ($10) | $76 | - 86% | |
Personal Care | - 65% | |||
Personal Care in Nicaragua is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 157 C$ ($4.39) | $7 | - 41% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 186 C$ ($5.19) | $19 | - 73% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 896 C$ ($25) | $125 | - 80% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 197 C$ ($5.52) | $7 | - 25% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 65 C$ ($1.82) | $4.16 | - 56% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 96 C$ ($2.68) | $5.52 | - 51% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 60 C$ ($1.68) | $4.19 | - 60% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 45 C$ ($1.27) | $2.05 | - 38% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 312 C$ ($9) | $25 | - 65% | |
Entertainment | - 55% | |||
Entertainment in Nicaragua is 55% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 301 C$ ($8) | $49 | - 83% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 293 C$ ($8) | $26 | - 69% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 896 C$ ($25) | $192 | - 87% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,279 C$ ($36) | $83 | - 57% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 177 C$ ($4.95) | $13 | - 61% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 106 C$ ($2.95) | $5.17 | - 43% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 39 C$ ($1.09) | $6 | - 82% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 22,661 C$ ($634) | $495 | + 28% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.07 C$ ($0.06) | $0.17 | - 66% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,125 C$ ($31) | $54 | - 41% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 85 C$ ($2.38) | $9 | - 74% | |
TOTAL | - 66% |

These prices were last updated on May 15, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.02796
USD
/
NIO
Cost of living in Nicaragua is 66% cheaper than in United States
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