🇸🇻Cost of Living in San Salvador
El Salvador · Population: 1,800,000 · Cost Index: 34/100
Cost of Living in San Salvador
El Salvador · North America
San Salvador is the capital and largest city of El Salvador, located in a fertile valley at the base of the San Salvador volcano. The city has undergone significant modernization and uses the US dollar as its official currency, making it a straightforward destination for American expats and digital nomads.
1,800,000
Population
34
Cost Index
35
Safety Index
42
Quality of Life
Average Monthly Cost: $880 (single person, excluding rent)
Cost Breakdown
Housing
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$450.001-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$280.003-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$850.003-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$500.00Food & Groceries
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$4.00Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$25.00McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$5.50Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.30Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$1.20Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.90Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$2.00Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$4.50Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$2.50Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.70Transportation
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$22.00One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$0.25Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$1.50Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.65Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.10Utilities
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$60.00Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$12.00Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$28.00Healthcare
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$18.00Dentist Visit(per visit)
$22.00Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$5.00Entertainment
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$28.00Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$4.00Cappuccino(per cup)
$2.80Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$2.00Clothing
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$40.00Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$22.00Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$65.00Compare San Salvador with another city
See how San Salvador stacks up against any other city in our database.
Quick Facts
- Currency
- USD
- Language
- Spanish
- Cost Index
- 34/100
- Safety Index
- 35/100
- Quality of Life
- 42/100
Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.