Cost Of Living in Guayaquil 2024

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

Whether you're living in Guayaquil 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

1,100 USD

per month

87 USD
11,000 USD

Single

790 USD

per month

260 USD
5,200 USD

Couple

1,300 USD

per month

440 USD
7,000 USD

Family

1,700 USD

per month

610 USD
9,600 USD

Student

530 USD

per month

210 USD
950 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 Guayaquil is 790 USD. Expenses can range from 260 USD at the minimum level to 5,200 USD at the highest end.


Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Guayaquil is 1,300 USD. Expenditure can range from 440 USD to 7,000 USD per month.


Families

The average cost of living for families in Guayaquil is 1,700 USD per month. Families spend anywhere from 610 USD to 9,600 USD.


Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Guayaquil is 530 USD. Students spend from 210 USD to 950 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 Guayaquil


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 3.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Restaurant meal for one
3.7 USD 5.6 USD 11 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Fine dining meal for one
7.4 USD 11 USD 45 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 4.2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
0.57 USD 0.78 USD 1.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
0.21 USD 0.28 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
0.93 USD 1.1 USD 2.2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Average car full tank
5.3 USD 7.1 USD 14 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Average car 1-day rental
5.8 USD 7.8 USD 12 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Average car price
2,700 USD 5,300 USD 7,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Bus ticket one way
0.20 USD 0.29 USD 0.59 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Car Service
7.8 USD 12 USD 23 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual
16 USD 47 USD 310 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Utility Bill - Couple
22 USD 65 USD 350 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Utility Bill - Family
18 USD 52 USD 290 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Internet and cable
5.3 USD 11 USD 14 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Mobile phone charges
4.2 USD 7.1 USD 21 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket
2.7 USD 3.5 USD 5.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
One month gym membership
9.3 USD 12 USD 23 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants
6.9 USD 9.7 USD 15 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Woman dress
6.5 USD 9 USD 29 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Woman shoes
6.2 USD 8.3 USD 19 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Men's shoes
5.3 USD 6.5 USD 13 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Men suit
5.8 USD 7.3 USD 39 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Regular t-shirt
2.9 USD 3.9 USD 12 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment
97 USD 150 USD 390 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
150 USD 230 USD 580 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
190 USD 290 USD 780 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment
19,000 USD 29,000 USD 58,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
23,000 USD 39,000 USD 150,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
39,000 USD 120,000 USD 230,000 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
62 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
62 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
88 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 Guayaquil

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

94%

87% to 100%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Expense to income distribution levels

Spending To Income Ratio% People
< 50%5%
50% - 60%9%
60% - 70%16%
70% - 80%25%
80% - 90%19%
90% - 100%10%
100% - 110%6%
110% - 120%4%
120% - 130%3%
130% - 140%2%
> 140%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Guayaquil is 94% This means that on average, people spend around 94% 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
85%
Spending-Income-Ratio
78%
94%

Couple
90%
Spending-Income-Ratio
82%
99%

Family
99%
Spending-Income-Ratio
91%
110%

How do people spend their money in Guayaquil?

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%)

LOW26 USD
AVERAGE340 USD
HIGH3,400 USD
Per Month

People living in Guayaquil typically spend from 13% to 32% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 24% being the average. The average spend on housing is 340 USD with expenditure ranging from 26 USD to 3,400 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%)

LOW4.4 USD
AVERAGE57 USD
HIGH570 USD
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Guayaquil ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 57 USD with 4.4 USD and 570 USD being the upper and lower limits.

Transport, Fuel, Commute7%

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

LOW8.7 USD
AVERAGE110 USD
HIGH1,100 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 8.7 USD to 1,100 USD on commuting with 110 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%)

LOW22 USD
AVERAGE280 USD
HIGH2,800 USD
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Guayaquil is 280 USD. The cost of groceries can range between 22 USD to 2,800 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%)

LOW6.1 USD
AVERAGE79 USD
HIGH790 USD
Per Month

People in Guayaquil 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 6.1 USD to 790 USD with 79 USD being the norm.

Leisure and Shopping5%

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

LOW3.5 USD
AVERAGE45 USD
HIGH450 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 3.5 USD to 450 USD with 45 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%)

LOW5.2 USD
AVERAGE68 USD
HIGH680 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 68 USD per month with 5.2 USD being the minimum spent amount and 680 USD being the maximum.

Other Expenses13%

13% of total expenses on average (8% to 20%)

LOW11 USD
AVERAGE150 USD
HIGH1,500 USD
Per Month

How much money can you save in Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil manage to save money from their income every month?


Saving Money
61%
Not Saving
39%

Almost 61% of the surveyed people in Guayaquil said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 39% said that aren't saving anything.


Percentage of people saving money by population group in Guayaquil

GroupSaversNon Savers
Singles69%31%
Couples63%37%
Families58%42%

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

8.8% 15% of income 31%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

30 USD 380 USD 3,800 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

For most people, 8.8% to 31% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 15% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 380 USD on average with savings ranging from 30 USD to 3,800 USD.

69% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 63% of couples said the same. 58% of families confirmed their ability to save money.


How much money do people actually save in Guayaquil?

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

12% 20% of income 33%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

89 USD 270 USD 1,800 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Saving To Income Ratio% Singles
0% - 10%31%
10% - 20%25%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%14%
40% - 50%10%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 12% to 33% of their monthly income to savings, with 20% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 270 USD with 89 USD and 1,800 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

9.9% 18% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

150 USD 440 USD 2,400 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Saving To Income Ratio% Couples
0% - 10%35%
10% - 20%27%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%9%
40% - 50%7%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 9.9% to 32% of their monthly income, with 18% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 440 USD with 150 USD and 2,400 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Families

Saving to Income Ratio

7.7% 14% of income 29%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

210 USD 590 USD 3,300 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%38%
10% - 20%30%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%6%
40% - 50%4%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Guayaquil can save anywhere between 7.7% to 29% of their monthly income, with 14% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 590 USD with 210 USD and 3,300 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 Guayaquil

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Guayaquil?


Yes
64%
No
37%

Around 64% of surveyed residents think that living in Guayaquil is affordable with proper budgeting while 37% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Guayaquil

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 options61%

Few low-cost options39%


Based on the survey, 61% of the people living in Guayaquil have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 39% 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 Guayaquil whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes60%

No40%


Based on the survey, 40% of the people living in Guayaquil said that they don't have an emergency fund while 60% 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 Guayaquil

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Guayaquil, 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 Reduction40%
Retirement Savings10%
Education Funding7%
Homeownership18%
Investing7%
Travel or Lifestyle8%
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 40% 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 8% 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 Guayaquil

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Guayaquil. 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 Guayaquil

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds12%
Gold12%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts10%
Cash Savings20%
Real Estate9%
Investment5%
Stocks5%
Bonds5%
Mutual Funds2%
Certificates of Deposit3%

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Guayaquil

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil:
AgeAmount
253,000 USD
306,100 USD
3511,000 USD
4015,000 USD
4523,000 USD
5032,000 USD
5538,000 USD
6047,000 USD
6556,000 USD

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil

190 USD 570 USD 3,800 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Guayaquil


Percentage of people who are in debt


In Debt
35%
Debt Free
65%

According to the survey, 35% of the people in Guayaquil have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 65% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Debt-to-income ratio in Guayaquil

Debt to income ratio

34%

25% to 44%

( 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 34% of the people's monthly income in Guayaquil goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

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

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Guayaquil pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 16% 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 Guayaquil

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage9%
Auto Loan17%
Student Loan4%
Credit Card29%
Personal Loan41%

9% of debtors in Guayaquil 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 41%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Guayaquil.


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 Guayaquil

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Guayaquil 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 year23%
Twice a year12%
Three times a year9%
Four times a year4%

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Guayaquil

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


Rent Cost in Guayaquil

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment
97 USD 150 USD 390 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
150 USD 230 USD 580 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
190 USD 290 USD 780 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
3-bedroom apartment
230 USD 390 USD 1,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Furnished apartment
470 USD 1,200 USD 2,300 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Townhouse
390 USD 580 USD 1,700 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
House
470 USD 1,200 USD 2,300 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Villa
580 USD 1,500 USD 2,300 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Guayaquil ranges between 97 USD and 390 USD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 150 USD to 580 USD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 190 USD and 780 USD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 230 USD to 1,100 USD. The average rent of a townhouse in Guayaquil is around 580 USD while house rental costs can be as high as 1,200 USD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 580 USD to 2,300 USD per month.



Apartment and house prices in Guayaquil

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment
19,000 USD 29,000 USD 58,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
23,000 USD 39,000 USD 150,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
39,000 USD 120,000 USD 230,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
3-bedroom apartment
130,000 USD 190,000 USD 580,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Townhouse
170,000 USD 390,000 USD 1.5M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
House
190,000 USD 1.2M USD 1.7M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Villa
230,000 USD 1.3M USD 1.9M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a studio apartment in Guayaquil can range from 19,000 USD to 58,000 USD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 23,000 USD to 150,000 USD. A villa can cost you 1.3M USD on average with prices ranging from 230,000 USD to 1.9M USD.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Guayaquil 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


35 x101 monthly income 214
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Guayaquil can be x101 to x214 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x101 multiples of the average monthly salary in Guayaquil.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


21% 32% of income 43%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Guayaquil is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 43% 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
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.


1.7 USD 23 USD 230 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 Guayaquil

Housing30%

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

LOW94 USD
AVERAGE280 USD
HIGH1,900 USD
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water8%

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

LOW16 USD
AVERAGE47 USD
HIGH310 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel5%

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

LOW21 USD
AVERAGE63 USD
HIGH420 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries19%

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

LOW42 USD
AVERAGE130 USD
HIGH840 USD
Per Month

Healthcare12%

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

LOW24 USD
AVERAGE71 USD
HIGH470 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

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

LOW13 USD
AVERAGE39 USD
HIGH260 USD
Per Month

Education1%

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

LOW5.2 USD
AVERAGE16 USD
HIGH100 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses21%

21% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)

LOW47 USD
AVERAGE140 USD
HIGH940 USD
Per Month


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

Housing27%

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

LOW140 USD
AVERAGE430 USD
HIGH2,300 USD
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water7%

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

LOW22 USD
AVERAGE65 USD
HIGH350 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel9%

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

LOW52 USD
AVERAGE160 USD
HIGH840 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries17%

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

LOW61 USD
AVERAGE180 USD
HIGH980 USD
Per Month

Healthcare14%

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

LOW48 USD
AVERAGE140 USD
HIGH770 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping4%

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

LOW26 USD
AVERAGE79 USD
HIGH420 USD
Per Month

Education1%

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

LOW8.7 USD
AVERAGE26 USD
HIGH140 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses20%

20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)

LOW74 USD
AVERAGE220 USD
HIGH1,200 USD
Per Month


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

Housing26%

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

LOW200 USD
AVERAGE560 USD
HIGH3,100 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel5%

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

LOW49 USD
AVERAGE140 USD
HIGH770 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries21%

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

LOW110 USD
AVERAGE310 USD
HIGH1,700 USD
Per Month

Healthcare11%

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

LOW49 USD
AVERAGE140 USD
HIGH770 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

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

LOW31 USD
AVERAGE87 USD
HIGH480 USD
Per Month

Education13%

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

LOW86 USD
AVERAGE240 USD
HIGH1,300 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses15%

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

LOW73 USD
AVERAGE210 USD
HIGH1,200 USD
Per Month


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

Housing18%

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

LOW50 USD
AVERAGE130 USD
HIGH230 USD
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water6%

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

LOW8.4 USD
AVERAGE21 USD
HIGH38 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel4%

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

LOW15 USD
AVERAGE37 USD
HIGH66 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries23%

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

LOW42 USD
AVERAGE110 USD
HIGH190 USD
Per Month

Healthcare9%

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

LOW13 USD
AVERAGE32 USD
HIGH57 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

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

LOW11 USD
AVERAGE26 USD
HIGH47 USD
Per Month

Education18%

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

LOW40 USD
AVERAGE100 USD
HIGH180 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses18%

18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)

LOW32 USD
AVERAGE79 USD
HIGH140 USD
Per Month
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