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Cost of Living in El Alto

El Alto, La Paz, Bolivia · Population 885,035

▲ +0% vs Bolivia average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)Bs2,677 ($387)
Couple, monthlyBs4,756 ($688)
Family of four, monthlyBs6,154 ($891)

Estimated Prices in El Alto

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantBs28.57 ($4.13)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeBs114 ($16.54)per meal
CappuccinoBs8.57 ($1.24)each
Monthly groceries (single person)Bs647 ($93.70)per month
Monthly public transport passBs105 ($15.16)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentBs276 ($39.96)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)Bs79.98 ($11.58)per month
Fitness club membershipBs79.98 ($11.58)per month
Cinema ticketBs20.95 ($3.03)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreBs1,111 ($161)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreBs773 ($112)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreBs2,319 ($336)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in El Alto is Bs2,930 ($424) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of Bs2,677 ($387) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly Bs3,481 ($504) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (Bs773 ($112)) represents about 29% of the total single-person budget.

Compare El Alto

El Alto vs Santa Cruz de la SierraEl Alto vs La PazEl Alto vs CochabambaEl Alto vs SucreEl Alto vs OruroEl Alto vs Oruro

Nearby Cities

La Paz

3 km away · La Paz

Achocalla

7 km away · La Paz

Viacha

19 km away · La Paz

Batallas

45 km away · La Paz

Colquencha

49 km away · La Paz

Coroico

58 km away · La Paz

Chulumani

69 km away · La Paz

Achacachi

76 km away · La Paz

Other Major Cities in Bolivia

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Santa Cruz · pop. 3,151,676

Bs3,333 ($482) / mo

La Paz

La Paz · pop. 2,063,633

Bs2,895 ($419) / mo

Cochabamba

Cochabamba · pop. 661,484

Bs2,677 ($387) / mo

Sucre

Chuquisaca · pop. 360,544

Bs2,677 ($387) / mo

Oruro

Oruro · pop. 351,802

Bs2,677 ($387) / mo

Oruro

Oruro · pop. 297,497

Bs2,677 ($387) / mo

Tarija

Tarija · pop. 268,000

Bs2,677 ($387) / mo

Warnes

Santa Cruz · pop. 214,216

Bs2,515 ($364) / mo

Living in El Alto

El Alto is one of the key cities in Bolivia. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is Bs2,677 ($387), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around Bs773 ($112) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to Bs6,154 ($891) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately Bs4,756 ($688) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in El Alto is Bs2,930 ($424). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least Bs3,481 ($504) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is El Alto expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated Bs2,677 ($387) per month in El Alto including rent outside the city centre. That is 0% more than the national average for Bolivia.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in El Alto?
A net salary of around Bs3,481 ($504) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in El Alto with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in El Alto is Bs2,930 ($424).
How much is rent in El Alto?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated Bs1,111 ($161) per month in the city centre and Bs773 ($112) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about Bs2,319 ($336).
Is El Alto cheaper than Bolivia on average?
No — El Alto is estimated to be about 0% more expensive than the Bolivia average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in El Alto?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at Bs647 ($94) in El Alto. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about Bs29 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around Bs9 ($1).
How do transport costs in El Alto compare?
A monthly public transport pass in El Alto is estimated at Bs105 ($15). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for El Alto are estimates based on Bolivia national averages adjusted for city size (population 885,035). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.