CostLens
HomeEcuador › Cuenca

Cost of Living in Cuenca

Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador · Population 361,524

▲ +0% vs Ecuador average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$456
Couple, monthly$812
Family of four, monthly$1,053

Estimated Prices in Cuenca

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$4.77per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$19.08per meal
Cappuccino$1.43each
Monthly groceries (single person)$108per month
Monthly public transport pass$17.49per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$46.11per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$13.36per month
Fitness club membership$13.36per month
Cinema ticket$3.50each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$198per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$138per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$413per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Cuenca is $583 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $456 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $592 per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($138) represents about 30% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Cuenca

Cuenca vs GuayaquilCuenca vs QuitoCuenca vs Santo Domingo de los ColoradosCuenca vs Eloy AlfaroCuenca vs MachalaCuenca vs Manta

Nearby Cities

Sinincay

5 km away · Azuay

Ricaurte

6 km away · Azuay

Valle

6 km away · Azuay

Baños

7 km away · Azuay

Tarqui

13 km away · Azuay

Azogues

26 km away · Cañar

La Troncal

64 km away · Cañar

Chunchi

68 km away · Chimborazo

Other Major Cities in Ecuador

Guayaquil

Guayas · pop. 3,094,420

$568 / mo

Quito

Pichincha · pop. 1,763,275

$493 / 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

Loja

Loja · pop. 203,496

$428 / mo

Living in Cuenca

Cuenca is one of the key cities in Ecuador. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $456, placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $138 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $1,053 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $812 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Cuenca is $583. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $592 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cuenca expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $456 per month in Cuenca including rent outside the city centre. That is 0% more than the national average for Ecuador.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Cuenca?
A net salary of around $592 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Cuenca with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Cuenca is $583.
How much is rent in Cuenca?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $198 per month in the city centre and $138 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $413.
Is Cuenca cheaper than Ecuador on average?
No — Cuenca is estimated to be about 0% more expensive than the Ecuador average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Cuenca?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $108 in Cuenca. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $5 and a cappuccino runs around $1.
How do transport costs in Cuenca compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Cuenca is estimated at $17. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Cuenca are estimates based on Ecuador national averages adjusted for city size (population 361,524). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.