El Salvador
Cost of living in San Salvador
San Salvador is El Salvador's capital, at about 660 m below the San Salvador volcano. El Salvador has used the US dollar as official currency since 2001, so USD earners face no exchange-rate risk.
What it costs to live in San Salvador
On an average lifestyle in a 1-bed apartment, San Salvador comes to an estimated $1,007 a month: the 8th lowest of 19 cities and 6% below the median of this dataset ($1,073). Rent makes up 53% of the total. You would spend less on coworking and entertainment.
| Lifestyle | Room | 1-bed apartment | Family apartment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frugal | $434 | $669 | $986 |
| Average | $746 | $1,007 | $1,428 |
| Comfortable | $1,122 | $1,457 | $2,008 |
Every figure is a modeled estimate in US dollars, not an individually observed price. Q1–Q2 2026 data, not re-verified since. Methodology
Your budget in San Salvador
Adjust the household, lifestyle and any category.
Monthly breakdown by category
One person, 1-bed apartment, average lifestyle. Median = the middle city of all 19.
| Category | San Salvador | % of total | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $530 | 53% | $540 |
| Groceries | $185 | 18% | $200 |
| Transport | $38 | 4% | $40 |
| Utilities | $58 | 6% | $58 |
| Internet | $26 | 3% | $28 |
| Coworking | $85 | 8% | $100 |
| Entertainment | $85 | 8% | $100 |
| Total per month | $1,007 | 100% | $1,073 |
Housing in San Salvador
Before signing, always ask about the deposit, any rent paid in advance, whether a guarantor is required and who pays utilities and building fees. These terms vary between landlords and are not fixed legal requirements.
Moving to San Salvador
Visa and residency rules in El Salvador depend on your nationality and circumstances. Always check the official website of El Salvador's migration authority or its nearest consulate. Nothing on this page is legal advice.