How Much Does It Cost to Live In San Salvador?
San Salvador was founded by Spanish conquistadors and named after Christ the Saviour.
Therefore about seven museums along with the numerous churches, chapels, and basilicas open their doors to tell their history.
You can see how well the historical part of the city is mixed together with modern banks, cinemas, restaurants, and boutiques.
And nature has gifted this place with mountains and slopes, greenery, lakes, and rivers.
In the media, this city is often called the most criminal capital in the world.
El Salvador : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
There are restaurants in San Salvador which offer very expensive European, Italian, Mediterranean and Latin American meals.
Japanese food, Brasilian, French and Mexican food is cheaper.
The portions are big enough, the food is tasty, and many restaurants have really picturesque views.
You can always save money if you want some fast food that will cost you only $6 per course.
MARKETS
The street markets in San Salvador are similar to numerous open-air markets in the other cities of El Salvador as well as in the other countries.
They mostly sell handmade things, household, and products of the small-scale industries.
You can bargain here to get a discount which is normal.
The most expensive items in the market are wine and beef.
TRANSPORTATION
If you have always dreamed to see the old American school buses but has never had the chance to go to America, come to San Salvador.
They are still here, traditional yellow buses which continue their mission as public transport for the locals and the tourists.
There is no metro but you can take a taxi which is twice as expensive at nights.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Every apartment, house, and office in San Salvador is usually sold or given for rent with all the necessary appliances, furnished and neat.
Air conditioning, water supply, electricity, are the basic comforts that you get there.
You will pay as much as $65.60 for an 85 square meters apartment.
SPORTS & LEISURE
It does not matter whether you choose to go to a fitness club or play soccer on the closest stadium.
San Salvador has provided conditions to make every eager sportsman fit.
A monthly subscription to a fitness club costs almost $33, an hour at the tennis court is only $15, and leisure time in the cinema is no more than $6.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Chain stores like Zara, H&M, Nike, Levis seem to be everywhere these days.
San Salvador is not an exception and you do not need to take all your wardrobe with you.
A pair of leather business shoes is $83.33, although you will most likely buy a pair of running shoes for $80.
Prices for summer dresses and jeans range between $40 and $50.
RENT PER MONTH
Literally, a million of different apartments, houses, hotel rooms, and offices are available for rent in San Salvador for every wallet.
You can choose to book on-site in case you have a good command of Spanish, or you can book online where the languages switch at lightspeed.
The average prices are given below.
Cost of Living Averages Table for San Salvador
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $5.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.50 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.69 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.33 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.86 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.84 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.25 |
| Monthly Pass | $17.61 |
| Gasoline | $0.89 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $65.60 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.11 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $52.80 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $32.94 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $15.00 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $4.75 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $49.55 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $40.56 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $80.00 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $490.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $385.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $904.17 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in San Salvador?
Try to think for a minute how much money you spend living at your native place for a month.
What you eat, where you go, how you practice, what movies you watch, and how many rooms you rent are the variables that we are going to compare with the average San Salvadorian’s lifestyle.
The least of the family’s income is spent on clothing and shoes, naturally.
The weather does not demand wearing coats, boots, hats etc.
The food is in the first place, some healthy and not so healthy products that can be bought in the markets.
They pay almost equal sums for restaurants and transportation costs, but monthly rent equals both the items.
An average person spends only 5.8% of their money to pay bills.
Average Costs Breakdown
San Salvador: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
According to the news stories and statistics, the mortgage interest rate has decreased in San Salvador.
Now you can take the loan for 20 years and pay only 8.5% annually to cover your mortgage expenses.
This works for new living premises, but if you want the house with history you better check with the local bank for the current mortgage interest rates, because they can be totally different.
The average wage for the people who work in the agricultural industry, textile manufacturing, machine building, and some other popular jobs, is $425.34.
Many international companies presented at the market of San Salvador have much higher remuneration for the employees who were lucky enough to get the job there.
The minimum wage countrywide is $304.2 which is not so bad if you live in your private apartment and do not lack some basic needs.
San Salvador Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: San Salvador Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
