CostLens
HomeEcuador › Cotacachi

Cost of Living in Cotacachi

Cotacachi, Imbabura, Ecuador · Population 10,526

▼ -16% vs Ecuador average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$382
Couple, monthly$680
Family of four, monthly$880

Estimated Prices in Cotacachi

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$4.05per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$16.20per meal
Cappuccino$1.22each
Monthly groceries (single person)$91.80per month
Monthly public transport pass$14.85per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$39.15per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$11.34per month
Fitness club membership$11.34per month
Cinema ticket$2.97each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$161per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$112per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$337per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Cotacachi is $495 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $382 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $497 per month.

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

Compare Cotacachi

Cotacachi vs GuayaquilCotacachi vs QuitoCotacachi vs CuencaCotacachi vs Santo Domingo de los ColoradosCotacachi vs Eloy AlfaroCotacachi vs Machala

Nearby Cities

Atuntaqui

7 km away · Imbabura

Otavalo

7 km away · Imbabura

San Antonio de Ibarra

11 km away · Imbabura

Ibarra

17 km away · Imbabura

Cayambe

31 km away · Pichincha

Pimampiro

38 km away · Imbabura

Pomasqui

44 km away · Pichincha

San Gabriel

59 km away · Carchi

Other Major Cities in Ecuador

Guayaquil

Guayas · pop. 3,094,420

$568 / mo

Quito

Pichincha · pop. 1,763,275

$493 / mo

Cuenca

Azuay · pop. 361,524

$456 / mo

Santo Domingo de los Colorados

Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas · pop. 334,826

$456 / mo

Eloy Alfaro

Guayas · pop. 295,211

$456 / mo

Machala

El Oro · pop. 288,072

$456 / mo

Manta

Manabí · pop. 258,697

$456 / mo

Portoviejo

Manabí · pop. 244,129

$428 / mo

Living in Cotacachi

Cotacachi is one of the key cities in Ecuador. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $382, placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $112 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $880 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $680 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Cotacachi is $495. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $497 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cotacachi expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $382 per month in Cotacachi including rent outside the city centre. That is 16% less than the national average for Ecuador.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Cotacachi?
A net salary of around $497 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Cotacachi with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Cotacachi is $495.
How much is rent in Cotacachi?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $161 per month in the city centre and $112 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $337.
Is Cotacachi cheaper than Ecuador on average?
Yes — Cotacachi is estimated to be about 16% cheaper than the Ecuador average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Cotacachi?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $92 in Cotacachi. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $4 and a cappuccino runs around $1.
How do transport costs in Cotacachi compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Cotacachi is estimated at $15. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Cotacachi are estimates based on Ecuador national averages adjusted for city size (population 10,526). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.