Cost of living in Nicaragua compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 45% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Nicaragua is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 483 C$ ($13) | $21 | - 38% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 237 C$ ($6) | $12 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 101 C$ ($2.74) | $5.87 | - 53% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 42 C$ ($1.15) | $1.10 | + 5% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 88 C$ ($2.40) | $5.49 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 48 C$ ($1.31) | $4.88 | - 73% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 91 C$ ($2.48) | $8 | - 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 153 C$ ($4.16) | $4.27 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 95 C$ ($2.58) | $2.28 | + 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 50 C$ ($1.35) | $3.53 | - 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 797 C$ ($22) | $18 | + 21% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 48 C$ ($1.29) | $2.95 | - 56% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 33 C$ ($0.90) | $3.04 | - 70% | |
| Housing | - 58% | |||
| Housing in Nicaragua is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | $3,078 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | $2,362 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,436 C$ ($39) | $232 | - 83% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 4,900 C$ ($133) | $2,205 | - 94% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,600 C$ ($98) | $1,612 | - 94% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 600 C$ ($16) | $167 | - 90% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,266 C$ ($34) | $61 | - 44% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 15,263 C$ ($415) | $248 | + 68% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,393 C$ ($92) | $156 | - 41% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 219 C$ ($5.96) | $15 | - 60% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 231 C$ ($6) | $34 | - 82% | |
| Clothes | - 35% | |||
| Clothes in Nicaragua is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,942 C$ ($53) | $58 | - 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,000 C$ ($27) | $52 | - 47% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,725 C$ ($74) | $107 | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,600 C$ ($71) | $140 | - 50% | |
| Transportation | - 65% | |||
| Transportation in Nicaragua is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 556,894 C$ ($15,154) | $30,909 | - 51% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 46 C$ ($1.26) | $0.94 | + 34% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 510 C$ ($14) | $84 | - 84% | |
| Personal Care | - 62% | |||
| Personal Care in Nicaragua is 62% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 369 C$ ($10) | $9 | + 12% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 84 C$ ($2.29) | $25 | - 91% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 650 C$ ($18) | $172 | - 90% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 150 C$ ($4.08) | $10 | - 58% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 129 C$ ($3.50) | $5.27 | - 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 200 C$ ($5.44) | $7 | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 117 C$ ($3.17) | $5.04 | - 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 69 C$ ($1.86) | $2.37 | - 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 285 C$ ($8) | $31 | - 75% | |
| Entertainment | - 77% | |||
| Entertainment in Nicaragua is 77% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Nicaragua | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 C$ ($14) | $61 | - 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 391 C$ ($11) | $30 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 700 C$ ($19) | $233 | - 92% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,000 C$ ($27) | $106 | - 74% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 300 C$ ($8) | $15 | - 45% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 250 C$ ($7) | $5.98 | + 14% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 25 C$ ($0.68) | $8 | - 91% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 16,876 C$ ($459) | $456 | + 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 C$ ($0.05) | $0.96 | - 94% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 559 C$ ($15) | $72 | - 79% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 168 C$ ($4.57) | $11 | - 59% | |
| TOTAL | - 61% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,384 prices entered by 1,888 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.02721
USD
/
NIO
Cost of living in Nicaragua is 61% cheaper than in United States
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