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Cost of Living in San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas

San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas, Esmeraldas, Ecuador · Population 28,491

▼ -16% vs Ecuador average

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

Estimated Prices in San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas

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 San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas 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 San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas

San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas vs GuayaquilSan Lorenzo de Esmeraldas vs QuitoSan Lorenzo de Esmeraldas vs CuencaSan Lorenzo de Esmeraldas vs Santo Domingo de los ColoradosSan Lorenzo de Esmeraldas vs Eloy AlfaroSan Lorenzo de Esmeraldas vs Machala

Nearby Cities

Valdez

17 km away · Esmeraldas

Esmeraldas

100 km away · Esmeraldas

Atacames

120 km away · Esmeraldas

Cotacachi

127 km away · Imbabura

Atuntaqui

127 km away · Imbabura

Rosa Zarate

128 km away · Esmeraldas

Ibarra

129 km away · Imbabura

San Antonio de Ibarra

129 km away · Imbabura

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 San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas

San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas 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 San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas 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 San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $382 per month in San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas 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 San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas?
A net salary of around $497 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas is $495.
How much is rent in San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas?
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 San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas cheaper than Ecuador on average?
Yes — San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas 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 San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $92 in San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $4 and a cappuccino runs around $1.
How do transport costs in San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas compare?
A monthly public transport pass in San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas is estimated at $15. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas are estimates based on Ecuador national averages adjusted for city size (population 28,491). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.