Capital city, El Salvador
Cost of living in San Salvador
How much a month costs in San Salvador
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,300–2,000 ($1,300–2,000).
Prices in San Salvador
Typical 2026 ranges in USD, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | USD | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | $450–900 | $450–900 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | $300–550 | $300–550 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | $12–20 | $12–20 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | $50–100 | $50–100 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | $3–6 | $3–6 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | $10–22 | $10–22 |
| Cappuccino | $2–4 | $2–4 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | $2–4 | $2–4 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | $0–1 | $0–1 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | $4–8 | $4–8 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | $25–60 | $25–60 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | $10–20 | $10–20 |
Value for money: 43/100
A value score of 43/100 means San Salvador gives more quality of life per dollar than 42% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 54/100. It's the 1st 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.
Cheaper alternatives to San Salvador
Similar safety, lower cost, in Mexico & Central America.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Semuc Champey | Guatemala | $458–720 |
| Ometepe | Nicaragua | $679–1,140 |
| León | Nicaragua | $679–1,140 |
| Guanajuato | Mexico | $988–1,540 |
| Granada | Nicaragua | $815–1,360 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in San Salvador?
About $700–950 on a lean budget, $1,300–2,000 for a comfortable month and $2,800–4,500 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in San Salvador?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs $450–900 ($450–900) a month in the center and $300–550 ($300–550) outside it.
How much does food cost in San Salvador?
A local meal is $3–6 ($3–6); a mid-range restaurant is $10–22 ($10–22) per person.
Is El Salvador expensive?
Prices in El Salvador are about 41% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about San Salvador
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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.