How Much Does It Cost to Live In Ecuador?
The equator passes through the Northern part of Ecuador, a country where more than 15 million people live.
The capital city Quito opened the list of UNESCO’s world cultural heritage.
But this country is not only about museums, churches, medieval monasteries, and temples.
This is an agricultural state with mountainous terrain, tropical forests of the Amazon, and snowy peaks.
Ecuador exports goods like bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, and wheat.
You can buy lots of fresh products at the markets if you like cooking at home.
The food in Ecuador is very delicious, yet quite simple.
Ecuador : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
The cost of meals in cafes, restaurants, and bars throughout the country differs a lot.
You can choose to eat some traditional food in the street, have a combo meal in fast food or order a foie gras in a French cuisine restaurant.
A regular cappuccino costs $2.35, and a small bottle of Coke or Pepsi is $0.82.
And you’ll be charged around $30 for the three-course meal that you shared with your friend.
MARKETS
Ecuador has some large and absolutely incredible open-air markets that you would definitely want to visit.
What can you expect from the local markets?
Everything from a colorful poncho to a horse, since there are animal markets in some cities too.
Actually, you won’t spend more than $30 at the market if you want to buy a little of every necessary product like meat, cheese, cereals, vegetables, fruits, and even beer and wine.
TRANSPORTATION
The best option in Ecuador for the local people is a bus.
This is also the cheapest means of transport that you can use here to get to different corners of the country.
Another way to explore Ecuador is to take a taxi or a van.
Prices are really low, for instance, for a taxi start that costs only $1.50 and $1.50 per km.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Basic home comforts in Ecuador cost $50.8.
This sum can cover electricity bills, payments for water supply, garbage collection, cooling, and heating.
Making calls in the territory of Ecuador using a mobile phone cost $0.12 per minute (no special tariffs, plans, or discounts included).
SPORTS & LEISURE
Just like in lots of other South American countries, sports and activities are popular enough in Ecuador.
Amateur and professional football matches top the charts here.
Besides football, the spectators love seeing baseball, basketball, and volleyball games.
The prices are reasonable: $36.19 is an adult fee for a fitness club, $16.69 is a tennis court rent on weekends (1 hour), and $6.50 a seat in the cinema for couch potatoes.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Depending on the season there are different clothing and shoe items that people wear in Ecuador.
For several months a year, you have to carry a rain jacket and warm fleece, while the other days you just have some summer dresses, a swimsuit, T-shirts, hats, and comfortable shoes.
The average prices for some traditional outfits like jeans, summer dresses, and Nike shoes are below.
RENT PER MONTH
When you rent a house in Ecuador, keep in mind that many dwellings do not have some standard amenities that we are used to having at home.
For instance, you may not find a dishwasher or a stove in the apartment.
Also, you will sometimes have to buy a water heater.
At the same time, the prices of the rented premises are affordable.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Ecuador
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $3.12 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $2.00 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.63 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.03 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.64 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.79 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.35 |
| Monthly Pass | $18.75 |
| Gasoline | $0.69 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $50.8 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.12 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $37.39 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $36.19 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $16.69 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $6.50 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $56.51 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $46.08 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $97.83 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $365.13 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $250.71 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $601.89 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Ecuador?
Ecuador is less wealthy than most travel destinations, so local people do not often go to restaurants or buy expensive clothes and shoes.
Most of the income is usually spent in the markets and monthly rent.
Transportation expenses are placed third among the things an average Ecuadorean spends money on.
Less than 6.3% of income is put off monthly to pay for utilities.
As much as 8.3% is spent on sports and leisure.
Average Costs Breakdown
Ecuador: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
An average salary in Ecuador and its cities is less than $503.19 per month.
As for the minimum wage, it’s been raised since the previous reporting year to $318 which is quite low compared to other countries in this region.
Talking about the mortgage and interest rates, it is worth saying that a yearly percentage for 20 year fixed-rate is 10.86%.
Ecuador is named a poor country by many citizens.
Still, numerous people can buy the property and rent it out, the others work in tourism and hotel services, which brings more money because of tips.
Ecuador Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Ecuador Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Ecuador
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Cuenca | 36.13 |
| Guayaquil | 47.21 |
| Quito | 49.42 |
