Beach town in La Libertad, El Salvador
Cost of living in El Tunco
How much a month costs in El Tunco
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,500–2,300 ($1,500–2,300).
Prices in El Tunco
Typical 2026 ranges in USD, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | USD | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | $600–1,200 | $600–1,200 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | $400–800 | $400–800 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | $12–25 | $12–25 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | $50–110 | $50–110 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | $4–7 | $4–7 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | $12–25 | $12–25 |
| Cappuccino | $2–4 | $2–4 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | $2–4 | $2–4 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | $1–2 | $1–2 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | $5–10 | $5–10 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | $30–50 | $30–50 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | $10–20 | $10–20 |
Value for money: 39/100
A value score of 39/100 means El Tunco gives more quality of life per dollar than 38% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 60/100. It's the 2nd most affordable of 3 places we cover in El Salvador.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across El Salvador
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| San Salvador | $1,300–2,000 | 43/100 |
| El Tunco | $1,500–2,300 | 39/100 |
| El Zonte | $1,500–2,300 | 39/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to El Tunco
Similar safety, lower cost, in Mexico & Central America.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Ometepe | Nicaragua | $679–1,140 |
| León | Nicaragua | $679–1,140 |
| Guanajuato | Mexico | $988–1,540 |
| Granada | Nicaragua | $815–1,360 |
| Utila | Honduras | $894–1,420 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in El Tunco?
About $800–1,100 on a lean budget, $1,500–2,300 for a comfortable month and $3,000–5,000 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in El Tunco?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs $600–1,200 ($600–1,200) a month in the center and $400–800 ($400–800) outside it.
How much does food cost in El Tunco?
A local meal is $4–7 ($4–7); a mid-range restaurant is $12–25 ($12–25) per person.
Is El Salvador expensive?
Prices in El Salvador are about 41% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about El Tunco
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Ministerio de Turismo (CORSATUR)
- Bus 102 SITRAMSS info (VMT)
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.