Cost Of Living in Ecuador 2024

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Ecuador

Whether you're living in Ecuador or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Average Monthly Expenditure

1,000 USD

per month

80 USD
10,000 USD

Single

720 USD

per month

240 USD
4,800 USD

Couple

1,200 USD

per month

400 USD
6,400 USD

Family

1,600 USD

per month

560 USD
8,800 USD

Student

480 USD

per month

190 USD
860 USD
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Ecuador is 720 USD. Expenses can range from 240 USD at the minimum level to 4,800 USD at the highest end.


Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Ecuador is 1,200 USD. Expenditure can range from 400 USD to 6,400 USD per month.


Families

The average cost of living for families in Ecuador is 1,600 USD per month. Families spend anywhere from 560 USD to 8,800 USD.


Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Ecuador is 480 USD. Students spend from 190 USD to 860 USD per month.


Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Ecuador


Dining, food, and beverages costs


Large bottle of water
0.13 USD 0.14 USD 0.16 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Fast food combo meal
1.1 USD 2.1 USD 3.6 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Restaurant meal for one
3.6 USD 5.3 USD 11 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Fine dining meal for one
7.1 USD 11 USD 43 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Soda or Soft Drink
0.15 USD 0.18 USD 0.21 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Cappuccino or latte
0.89 USD 1.4 USD 2.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle
0.71 USD 0.85 USD 1.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Loaf of bread
0.13 USD 0.15 USD 0.17 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
12 eggs
0.53 USD 0.71 USD 1.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Fresh whole chicken
1.2 USD 1.6 USD 2.2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
1.4 USD 2.1 USD 4.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
0.57 USD 0.79 USD 1.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
0.21 USD 0.29 USD 0.53 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb
0.38 USD 0.50 USD 0.82 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride
0.89 USD 1.1 USD 2.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Average car full tank
5.3 USD 7.1 USD 14 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Average car 1-day rental
5.3 USD 7.1 USD 11 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Average car price
2,700 USD 5,300 USD 7,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Bus ticket one way
0.18 USD 0.27 USD 0.53 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Car Service
7.1 USD 11 USD 21 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual
14 USD 43 USD 290 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Utility Bill - Couple
20 USD 60 USD 320 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Utility Bill - Family
17 USD 48 USD 260 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Internet and cable
5.3 USD 11 USD 14 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Mobile phone charges
4.3 USD 7.1 USD 21 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket
2.7 USD 3.6 USD 5.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
One month gym membership
8.5 USD 11 USD 21 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants
6.3 USD 8.9 USD 13 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Woman dress
5.9 USD 8.2 USD 27 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Woman shoes
5.6 USD 7.6 USD 18 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Men's shoes
4.9 USD 5.9 USD 12 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Men suit
5.3 USD 6.7 USD 36 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Regular t-shirt
2.7 USD 3.6 USD 11 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment
89 USD 130 USD 360 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
130 USD 210 USD 530 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
180 USD 270 USD 710 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment
18,000 USD 27,000 USD 53,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
21,000 USD 36,000 USD 130,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
36,000 USD 110,000 USD 210,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed
110 USD 130 USD 180 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Double Bed
71 USD 110 USD 130 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Single Bed
63 USD 82 USD 110 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Living Room
120 USD 150 USD 530 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Dining Table
53 USD 71 USD 130 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Sofa or Couch
71 USD 97 USD 210 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set
71 USD 110 USD 210 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Fridge or Freezer
63 USD 97 USD 130 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Washing Machine
82 USD 120 USD 210 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Stove or Cooker
76 USD 97 USD 130 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Mobile Phone
89 USD 110 USD 150 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Laptop or Computer
97 USD 120 USD 210 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Ecuador

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.


Spending to Income Ratio

86%

79% to 95%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Expense to income distribution levels

Spending To Income Ratio% People
< 50%4%
50% - 60%9%
60% - 70%16%
70% - 80%25%
80% - 90%19%
90% - 100%11%
100% - 110%6%
110% - 120%4%
120% - 130%3%
130% - 140%2%
> 140%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Ecuador is 86% This means that on average, people spend around 86% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 16% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.


How can spending be more than income?

A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.



Individual
77%
Spending-Income-Ratio
71%
86%

Couple
82%
Spending-Income-Ratio
75%
90%

Family
90%
Spending-Income-Ratio
83%
100%

How do people spend their money in Ecuador?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing Expenditure24%

24% of total expenses on average (13% to 32%)

LOW24 USD
AVERAGE310 USD
HIGH3,100 USD
Per Month

People living in Ecuador typically spend from 13% to 32% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 24% being the average. The average spend on housing is 310 USD with expenditure ranging from 24 USD to 3,100 USD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utilities, Electricity, Water7%

7% of total expenses on average (4% to 11%)

LOW4 USD
AVERAGE52 USD
HIGH520 USD
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Ecuador ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 52 USD with 4 USD and 520 USD being the upper and lower limits.

Transport, Fuel, Commute7%

7% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)

LOW8 USD
AVERAGE100 USD
HIGH1,000 USD
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 8 USD to 1,000 USD on commuting with 100 USD being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.

Food and Groceries Cost28%

28% of total expenses on average (20% to 34%)

LOW20 USD
AVERAGE260 USD
HIGH2,600 USD
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Ecuador is 260 USD. The cost of groceries can range between 20 USD to 2,600 USD. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.

Healthcare and Medical Services10%

10% of total expenses on average (5% to 13%)

LOW5.6 USD
AVERAGE73 USD
HIGH730 USD
Per Month

People in Ecuador allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 5.6 USD to 730 USD with 73 USD being the norm.

Leisure and Shopping5%

5% of total expenses on average (2% to 9%)

LOW3.2 USD
AVERAGE41 USD
HIGH410 USD
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 3.2 USD to 410 USD with 41 USD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.

Education and Schooling5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)

LOW4.8 USD
AVERAGE62 USD
HIGH620 USD
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 62 USD per month with 4.8 USD being the minimum spent amount and 620 USD being the maximum.

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)

LOW10 USD
AVERAGE130 USD
HIGH1,300 USD
Per Month

How much money can you save in Ecuador every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.


What percentage of people in Ecuador manage to save money from their income every month?


Saving Money
56%
Not Saving
44%

Almost 56% of the surveyed people in Ecuador said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 44% said that aren't saving anything.


Percentage of people saving money by population group in Ecuador

GroupSaversNon Savers
Singles63%37%
Couples58%42%
Families53%47%

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


Saving to Income Ratio

8% 14% of income 28%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

27 USD 350 USD 3,500 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

For most people, 8% to 28% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 14% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 350 USD on average with savings ranging from 27 USD to 3,500 USD.

63% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 58% of couples said the same. 53% of families confirmed their ability to save money.


How much money do people actually save in Ecuador?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.


Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

11% 18% of income 30%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

81 USD 240 USD 1,600 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Saving To Income Ratio% Singles
0% - 10%33%
10% - 20%26%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%12%
40% - 50%9%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 11% to 30% of their monthly income to savings, with 18% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 240 USD with 81 USD and 1,600 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

9% 16% of income 29%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

140 USD 410 USD 2,200 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Saving To Income Ratio% Couples
0% - 10%37%
10% - 20%28%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%7%
40% - 50%6%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 9% to 29% of their monthly income, with 16% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 410 USD with 140 USD and 2,200 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Families

Saving to Income Ratio

7% 13% of income 26%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

190 USD 540 USD 3,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%40%
10% - 20%31%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%4%
40% - 50%3%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Ecuador can save anywhere between 7% to 26% of their monthly income, with 13% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 540 USD with 190 USD and 3,000 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Affordable living in Ecuador

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Ecuador?


Yes
58%
No
42%

Around 58% of surveyed residents think that living in Ecuador is affordable with proper budgeting while 42% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Ecuador

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options56%

Few low-cost options44%


Based on the survey, 56% of the people living in Ecuador have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 44% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Ecuador whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes55%

No45%


Based on the survey, 45% of the people living in Ecuador said that they don't have an emergency fund while 55% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Ecuador

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy53%


We asked residents of Ecuador whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 47% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 53% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Ecuador have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 47% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 53% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance47%

Easily manages finances53%

Financial goals of people in Ecuador

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Ecuador, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund8%
Debt Reduction41%
Retirement Savings10%
Education Funding7%
Homeownership18%
Investing7%
Travel or Lifestyle7%
Healthcare Expenses13%
Financial Independence6%

Around 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 41% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 7% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 7% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 13% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Saving Challenges in Ecuador

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Ecuador. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income5%
High Expenses8%
Debt and Loans14%
Lack of Budgeting Skills11%
Impulsive Spending11%
Financial Emergencies7%
Living the moment6%
Will do it later20%
Inflation13%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability2%

Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 14% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 11% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 20% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 13% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Ecuador

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds12%
Gold12%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts10%
Cash Savings20%
Real Estate9%
Investment5%
Stocks4%
Bonds5%
Mutual Funds2%
Certificates of Deposit3%

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Ecuador

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Ecuador and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Ecuador is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.


The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:
AgeAmount
255x monthly salary at age 25
3010x monthly salary at age 30
3515x monthly salary at age 35
4025x monthly salary at age 40
4532x monthly salary at age 45
5048x monthly salary at age 50
5556x monthly salary at age 55
6064x monthly salary at age 60
6578x monthly salary at age 65

The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Ecuador:
AgeAmount
252,800 USD
305,500 USD
359,700 USD
4014,000 USD
4521,000 USD
5029,000 USD
5535,000 USD
6043,000 USD
6551,000 USD

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Ecuador about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Source% People
Pensions12%
Savings23%
Investments12%
Social Security7%
Annuities7%
Part-time Job14%
Real Estate18%
Dividends and Interest7%

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Ecuador

180 USD 530 USD 3,500 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Ecuador


Percentage of people who are in debt


In Debt
32%
Debt Free
68%

According to the survey, 32% of the people in Ecuador have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 68% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Debt-to-income ratio in Ecuador

Debt to income ratio

31%

23% to 40%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 31% of the people's monthly income in Ecuador goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%17%
40% - 50%14%
30% - 40%16%
20% - 30%11%
10% - 20%13%
0% - 10%26%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Ecuador pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 17% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 14% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 16% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 11% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Ecuador

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage9%
Auto Loan17%
Student Loan4%
Credit Card29%
Personal Loan42%

9% of debtors in Ecuador confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 29% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 17% of people and personal loans rose at 42%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Ecuador.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Ecuador

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Ecuador how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never51%
Once a year24%
Twice a year12%
Three times a year9%
Four times a year4%

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Ecuador

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Ecuador

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment
89 USD 130 USD 360 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
130 USD 210 USD 530 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
180 USD 270 USD 710 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
3-bedroom apartment
210 USD 360 USD 970 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Furnished apartment
430 USD 1,100 USD 2,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Townhouse
360 USD 530 USD 1,500 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
House
430 USD 1,100 USD 2,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Villa
530 USD 1,300 USD 2,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Ecuador ranges between 89 USD and 360 USD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 130 USD to 530 USD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 180 USD and 710 USD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 210 USD to 970 USD. The average rent of a townhouse in Ecuador is around 530 USD while house rental costs can be as high as 1,100 USD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 530 USD to 2,100 USD per month.



Apartment and house prices in Ecuador

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment
18,000 USD 27,000 USD 53,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
21,000 USD 36,000 USD 130,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
36,000 USD 110,000 USD 210,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
3-bedroom apartment
120,000 USD 180,000 USD 530,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Townhouse
150,000 USD 360,000 USD 1.3M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
House
180,000 USD 1.1M USD 1.5M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Villa
210,000 USD 1.2M USD 1.8M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a studio apartment in Ecuador can range from 18,000 USD to 53,000 USD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 21,000 USD to 130,000 USD. A villa can cost you 1.2M USD on average with prices ranging from 210,000 USD to 1.8M USD.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Ecuador will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


32 x92 monthly income 195
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Ecuador can be x92 to x195 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x92 multiples of the average monthly salary in Ecuador.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


19% 29% of income 39%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Ecuador is around 29%. This means that people pay 29% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 39% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
27%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
1.9%
AVERAGE
2.9%
TO
3.9%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


1.6 USD 21 USD 210 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.


Single
Spending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Ecuador

Housing30%

30% of total expenses on average (18% to 42%)

LOW86 USD
AVERAGE260 USD
HIGH1,700 USD
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water8%

8% of total expenses on average (4% to 13%)

LOW14 USD
AVERAGE43 USD
HIGH290 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)

LOW19 USD
AVERAGE57 USD
HIGH380 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries19%

19% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)

LOW38 USD
AVERAGE110 USD
HIGH760 USD
Per Month

Healthcare12%

12% of total expenses on average (6% to 16%)

LOW22 USD
AVERAGE65 USD
HIGH430 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)

LOW12 USD
AVERAGE36 USD
HIGH240 USD
Per Month

Education1%

1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)

LOW4.8 USD
AVERAGE14 USD
HIGH96 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses22%

22% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)

LOW43 USD
AVERAGE130 USD
HIGH860 USD
Per Month


Couple
Average monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Ecuador

Housing27%

27% of total expenses on average (20% to 37%)

LOW130 USD
AVERAGE390 USD
HIGH2,100 USD
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water7%

7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW20 USD
AVERAGE60 USD
HIGH320 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel9%

9% of total expenses on average (3% to 14%)

LOW48 USD
AVERAGE140 USD
HIGH760 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries17%

17% of total expenses on average (12% to 22%)

LOW56 USD
AVERAGE170 USD
HIGH890 USD
Per Month

Healthcare14%

14% of total expenses on average (8% to 18%)

LOW44 USD
AVERAGE130 USD
HIGH700 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (1% to 7%)

LOW24 USD
AVERAGE72 USD
HIGH380 USD
Per Month

Education1%

1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)

LOW8 USD
AVERAGE24 USD
HIGH130 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses21%

21% of total expenses on average (15% to 27%)

LOW68 USD
AVERAGE200 USD
HIGH1,100 USD
Per Month


Family
Average monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Ecuador

Housing26%

26% of total expenses on average (21% to 36%)

LOW180 USD
AVERAGE510 USD
HIGH2,800 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)

LOW45 USD
AVERAGE130 USD
HIGH700 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries21%

21% of total expenses on average (14% to 27%)

LOW100 USD
AVERAGE290 USD
HIGH1,600 USD
Per Month

Healthcare11%

11% of total expenses on average (7% to 16%)

LOW45 USD
AVERAGE130 USD
HIGH700 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (1% to 7%)

LOW28 USD
AVERAGE80 USD
HIGH440 USD
Per Month

Education13%

13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)

LOW78 USD
AVERAGE220 USD
HIGH1,200 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses16%

16% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)

LOW67 USD
AVERAGE190 USD
HIGH1,100 USD
Per Month


Student
Cost of living and expenses break down for students living in Ecuador

Housing18%

18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)

LOW46 USD
AVERAGE120 USD
HIGH210 USD
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)

LOW7.7 USD
AVERAGE19 USD
HIGH35 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel4%

4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)

LOW13 USD
AVERAGE34 USD
HIGH60 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries23%

23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)

LOW38 USD
AVERAGE96 USD
HIGH170 USD
Per Month

Healthcare9%

9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)

LOW12 USD
AVERAGE29 USD
HIGH52 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW9.6 USD
AVERAGE24 USD
HIGH43 USD
Per Month

Education18%

18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)

LOW36 USD
AVERAGE91 USD
HIGH160 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses19%

19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)

LOW29 USD
AVERAGE72 USD
HIGH130 USD
Per Month
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