Mountain town in Tungurahua, Ecuador
Cost of living in Baños
How much a month costs in Baños
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,000–1,500 ($1,000–1,500).
Prices in Baños
Typical 2026 ranges in USD, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | USD | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | $250–450 | $250–450 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | $180–320 | $180–320 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | $8–14 | $8–14 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | $35–70 | $35–70 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | $3–5 | $3–5 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | $8–15 | $8–15 |
| Cappuccino | $2–3 | $2–3 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | $2–4 | $2–4 |
| Getting around | ||
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | $2–4 | $2–4 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | $20–35 | $20–35 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | $10–20 | $10–20 |
Value for money: 76/100
A value score of 76/100 means Baños gives more quality of life per dollar than 75% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 62/100. It's the 3rd most affordable of 10 places we cover in Ecuador.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Ecuador
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Otavalo | $900–1,400 | 84/100 |
| Mindo | $900–1,400 | 85/100 |
| Baños | $1,000–1,500 | 76/100 |
| Montañita | $1,000–1,600 | 73/100 |
| Puerto López | $1,000–1,600 | — |
| Cuenca | $1,300–1,900 | 63/100 |
| Guayaquil | $1,300–1,900 | 32/100 |
| Vilcabamba | $1,300–2,000 | — |
| Quito | $1,400–2,000 | 39/100 |
| Galápagos Islands | $3,500–5,500 | 5/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Baños
Similar safety, lower cost, in South America.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Sucre | Bolivia | $457–706 |
| Uyuni | Bolivia | $499–831 |
| Huaraz | Peru | $697–1,100 |
| Huacachina | Peru | $726–1,160 |
| Salta | Argentina | $788–1,310 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Baños?
About $500–750 on a lean budget, $1,000–1,500 for a comfortable month and $2,200–3,500 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Baños?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs $250–450 ($250–450) a month in the center and $180–320 ($180–320) outside it.
How much does food cost in Baños?
A local meal is $3–5 ($3–5); a mid-range restaurant is $8–15 ($8–15) per person.
Is Ecuador expensive?
Prices in Ecuador are about 42% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Baños
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.