Cost Of Living For a Family in El Salvador 2024

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in El Salvador

Average monthly spending for families in El Salvador

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: USD
680 1,900 13,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in El Salvador?

Families in El Salvador spend around 1,900 USD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 680 USD or as high as 13,000 USD. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in El Salvador


Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in El Salvador

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

1.3 USD 2.6 USD 4.4 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Restaurant meal for one

4.4 USD 6.6 USD 13 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fine dining meal for one

8.7 USD 13 USD 52 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Cappuccino or latte

1.1 USD 1.7 USD 2.6 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

0.88 USD 1.1 USD 1.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

12 eggs

0.66 USD 0.88 USD 1.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fresh whole chicken

1.5 USD 1.9 USD 2.7 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Pack of beef

1.7 USD 2.6 USD 5.2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Medium bag of rice

0.71 USD 0.97 USD 1.4 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bag of tomatos

0.26 USD 0.35 USD 0.66 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bag of apples

0.47 USD 0.61 USD 1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in El Salvador


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

1.1 USD 1.3 USD 2.6 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car full tank

6.6 USD 8.7 USD 17 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car 1-day rental

6.6 USD 8.7 USD 13 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car price

3,300 USD 6,600 USD 8,700 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bus ticket one way

0.22 USD 0.33 USD 0.66 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Car Service

8.7 USD 13 USD 26 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in El Salvador


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

34 USD 97 USD 630 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Internet and cable

6.6 USD 13 USD 17 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile phone charges

5.2 USD 8.7 USD 26 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

3.3 USD 4.4 USD 6.6 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

One month gym membership

10 USD 13 USD 26 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in El Salvador


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

7.7 USD 11 USD 16 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Woman dress

7.3 USD 10 USD 33 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Woman shoes

6.9 USD 9.4 USD 22 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Men's shoes

6 USD 7.3 USD 15 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Men suit

6.6 USD 8.2 USD 44 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Regular t-shirt

3.3 USD 4.4 USD 13 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in El Salvador


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

110 USD 160 USD 440 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment

160 USD 260 USD 660 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment

220 USD 330 USD 870 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

22,000 USD 33,000 USD 66,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment

26,000 USD 44,000 USD 160,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment

44,000 USD 130,000 USD 260,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in El Salvador


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

130 USD 160 USD 220 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Double Bed

87 USD 130 USD 160 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Single Bed

77 USD 100 USD 130 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Living Room

150 USD 190 USD 660 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Dining Table

66 USD 87 USD 160 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Sofa or Couch

87 USD 120 USD 260 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in El Salvador


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

87 USD 130 USD 260 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fridge or Freezer

77 USD 120 USD 160 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Washing Machine

100 USD 150 USD 260 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Stove or Cooker

94 USD 120 USD 160 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile Phone

110 USD 130 USD 190 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Laptop or Computer

120 USD 150 USD 260 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in El Salvador

Family expenditure to income ratio in El Salvador

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in El Salvador

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. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

88%

81% to 99%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in El Salvador spend around 88% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 81% of their income while some as high as 99%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in El Salvador

How do families spend their money in El Salvador?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


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 and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost28%

28% of total expenses on average (23% to 38%)

LOW220 USD
AVERAGE620 USD
HIGH4,000 USD
Per Month

Families in El Salvador typically spend from 23% to 38% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 28% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 620 USD with expenditure ranging from 220 USD to 4,000 USD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 8%)

LOW34 USD
AVERAGE97 USD
HIGH630 USD
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in El Salvador ranges from 3% to 8% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 97 USD with 34 USD and 630 USD being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW68 USD
AVERAGE190 USD
HIGH1,300 USD
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 68 USD to 1,300 USD in a month on commuting with 190 USD being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 8%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost20%

20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)

LOW120 USD
AVERAGE350 USD
HIGH2,300 USD
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in El Salvador is 350 USD. The cost of groceries can range between 120 USD to 2,300 USD. Families spend on average about 20% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 13% and 26% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)

LOW61 USD
AVERAGE190 USD
HIGH1,000 USD
Per Month

Families in El Salvador allocate 6% to 15% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 61 USD to 1,000 USD with 190 USD being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping3%

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

LOW34 USD
AVERAGE97 USD
HIGH630 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 34 USD to 630 USD with 97 USD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW95 USD
AVERAGE270 USD
HIGH1,800 USD
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 14% of the monthly expenditure of families with 7% and 22% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 270 USD per month with 95 USD being the minimum spent amount and 1,800 USD being the maximum.

Other Expenses15%

15% of total expenses on average (8% to 20%)

LOW54 USD
AVERAGE160 USD
HIGH1,000 USD
Per Month
Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in El Salvador

What percentage of families in El Salvador are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
56%
Not Saving
45%

Almost 56% of surveyed families in El Salvador said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 45% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in El Salvador

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.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

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.

Saving to Income Ratio

10% 17% of income 28%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

240 USD 690 USD 4,500 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%37%
10% - 20%29%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%7%
40% - 50%5%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 10% to 28% of their monthly income to their savings, with 17% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 690 USD with 240 USD and 4,500 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in El Salvador

Saving Challenges in El Salvador

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

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


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans17%
Lack of Budgeting Skills11%
Impulsive Spending10%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment6%
Will do it later18%
Inflation11%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 17% 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. 10% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% 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. 18% 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. 11% 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 social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do families choose to put their savings in El Salvador

Typical saving choices for families in El Salvador

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold11%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings17%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks5%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

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.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in El Salvador

Affordable living in El Salvador

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in El Salvador?


Yes
64%
No
36%

Around 64% of surveyed families think that living in El Salvador is affordable with proper budgeting while 36% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in El Salvador

Low-cost alternatives in El Salvador

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 families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options59%

Few low-cost options41%


Based on the survey, 59% of the families living in El Salvador have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 41% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Families

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 families of El Salvador whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes63%

No37%


Based on the survey, 37% of the families living in El Salvador said that they don't have an emergency fund while 63% said that they do.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in El Salvador

Financial Literacy in El Salvador

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 Leteracy59%


We asked family guardians and parents in El Salvador whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 41% 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 59% 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 families of El Salvador have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 34% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 66% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance34%

Easily manages finances66%

Financial goals and targets of families living in El Salvador

Financial goals of families in El Salvador

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in El Salvador, 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 Fund7%
Debt Reduction36%
Retirement Savings8%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing8%
Travel or Lifestyle9%
Healthcare Expenses10%
Financial Independence7%

Around 7% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 36% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 9% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 10% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in El Salvador

Debt, loans, and mortgages in El Salvador


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
26%
Debt Free
74%

According to the survey, 26% of the families in El Salvador have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 74% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in El Salvador

Debt-to-income ratio in El Salvador

Debt to income ratio

29%

21% to 39%

( 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 29% of a family's monthly income in El Salvador goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%13%
40% - 50%12%
30% - 40%14%
20% - 30%14%
10% - 20%17%
0% - 10%27%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in El Salvador pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 13% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 14% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in El Salvador

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage12%
Auto Loan20%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card26%
Personal Loan38%

12% of debtors in El Salvador confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 26% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 20% of people and personal loans rose at 38%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in El Salvador.


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 El Salvador

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families of El Salvador 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
Never54%
Once a year23%
Twice a year12%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in El Salvador

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in El Salvador

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


Rent Cost in El Salvador

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

110 USD 160 USD 440 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

160 USD 260 USD 660 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

220 USD 330 USD 870 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

260 USD 440 USD 1,200 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

520 USD 1,300 USD 2,600 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Townhouse monthly rent cost

440 USD 660 USD 1,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

House monthly rent cost

520 USD 1,300 USD 2,600 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Villa monthly rent cost

660 USD 1,600 USD 2,600 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in El Salvador ranges between 110 USD and 440 USD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 160 USD to 660 USD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 220 USD and 870 USD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 260 USD to 1,200 USD. The average rent of a townhouse in El Salvador is around 660 USD while house rental costs can be as high as 1,300 USD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 660 USD to 2,600 USD per month.



Apartment and house prices in El Salvador

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

22,000 USD 33,000 USD 66,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment price

26,000 USD 44,000 USD 160,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment price

44,000 USD 130,000 USD 260,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

3-bedroom apartment price

150,000 USD 220,000 USD 660,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Townhouse price

190,000 USD 440,000 USD 1.6M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

House price

220,000 USD 1.3M USD 1.9M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Villa price

260,000 USD 1.5M USD 2.2M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a studio apartment in El Salvador can range from 22,000 USD to 66,000 USD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 26,000 USD to 160,000 USD. A villa can cost you 1.5M USD on average with prices ranging from 260,000 USD to 2.2M USD.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in El Salvador 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


37 x108 monthly income 205
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in El Salvador can be x108 to x205 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x108 multiples of the average monthly salary in El Salvador.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


21% 31% of income 41%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in El Salvador is around 31%. This means that people pay 31% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 41% 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
29%

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
2.1%
AVERAGE
3.1%
TO
4.1%

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.


1.9 USD 25 USD 250 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.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in El Salvador

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in El Salvador

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

34 USD 97 USD 630 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Internet and cable cost

6.6 USD 13 USD 17 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile phone bill and charges

5.2 USD 8.7 USD 26 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 97 USD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 6.6 USD to 17 USD with 13 USD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 8.7 USD but can range between 5.2 USD and 26 USD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


3% 6% of income 10%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in El Salvador is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in El Salvador

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in El Salvador

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

1.3 USD 2.6 USD 4.4 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in El Salvador is approximatly 2.6 USD with meal cost ranging from 1.3 USD to 4.4 USD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

4.4 USD 6.6 USD 13 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 4.4 USD and 13 USD with 6.6 USD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in El Salvador.

Fine dining meal for one price

8.7 USD 13 USD 52 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 8.7 USD to 52 USD with the average cost being 13 USD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in El Salvador.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

1.1 USD 1.7 USD 2.6 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in El Salvador is around 1.7 USD. Price ranges between 1.1 USD and 2.6 USD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

0.88 USD 1.1 USD 1.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a large bottle of milk in El Salvador is 1.1 USD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 1.3 USD and the minimum being 0.88 USD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

0.66 USD 0.88 USD 1.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A dozen eggs costs around 0.88 USD on average with 0.66 USD and 1.3 USD being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

1.5 USD 1.9 USD 2.7 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in El Salvador is between 1.5 USD and 2.7 USD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 1.9 USD.

Pack of beef price

1.7 USD 2.6 USD 5.2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 2.6 USD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

0.71 USD 0.97 USD 1.4 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of rice in El Salvador costs around 0.97 USD on average with prices rangeing between 0.71 USD and 1.4 USD depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

0.26 USD 0.35 USD 0.66 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 0.26 USD to 0.66 USD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

0.47 USD 0.61 USD 1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of apples costs 0.61 USD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


18% 26% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in El Salvador is around 26%. This means that families spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 32% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 120 USD to 2,300 USD with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

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