CostLens
HomeEl Salvador › San Salvador

Cost of Living in San Salvador

San Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador · Population 1,538,525 · National capital

▲ +25% vs El Salvador average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$605
Couple, monthly$1,080
Family of four, monthly$1,404

Estimated Prices in San Salvador

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$6.24per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$24.96per meal
Cappuccino$1.87each
Monthly groceries (single person)$141per month
Monthly public transport pass$22.88per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$60.32per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$17.47per month
Fitness club membership$17.47per month
Cinema ticket$4.58each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$271per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$189per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$566per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in San Salvador is $585 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $605 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $786 per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($189) represents about 31% of the total single-person budget.

Compare San Salvador

San Salvador vs Santa AnaSan Salvador vs San MiguelSan Salvador vs SoyapangoSan Salvador vs MejicanosSan Salvador vs ColónSan Salvador vs Apopa

Nearby Cities

Mejicanos

3 km away · San Salvador

Cuscatancingo

3 km away · San Salvador

Delgado

4 km away · San Salvador

Ayutuxtepeque

4 km away · San Salvador

Soyapango

4 km away · San Salvador

San Marcos

5 km away · San Salvador

Antiguo Cuscatlán

6 km away · La Libertad

Santo Tomás

9 km away · San Salvador

Other Major Cities in El Salvador

Santa Ana

Santa Ana · pop. 250,760

$485 / mo

San Miguel

San Miguel · pop. 232,887

$456 / mo

Soyapango

San Salvador · pop. 230,255

$456 / mo

Mejicanos

San Salvador · pop. 136,641

$456 / mo

Colón

La Libertad · pop. 130,513

$456 / mo

Apopa

San Salvador · pop. 129,083

$456 / mo

Ahuachapán

Ahuachapán · pop. 127,301

$456 / mo

Santa Tecla

La Libertad · pop. 125,532

$456 / mo

Living in San Salvador

San Salvador is the capital and one of the key cities in El Salvador. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $605, placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $189 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $1,404 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $1,080 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in San Salvador is $585. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $786 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Salvador expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $605 per month in San Salvador including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for El Salvador.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in San Salvador?
A net salary of around $786 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in San Salvador with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in San Salvador is $585.
How much is rent in San Salvador?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $271 per month in the city centre and $189 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $566.
Is San Salvador cheaper than El Salvador on average?
No — San Salvador is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the El Salvador average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in San Salvador?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $141 in San Salvador. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $6 and a cappuccino runs around $2.
How do transport costs in San Salvador compare?
A monthly public transport pass in San Salvador is estimated at $23. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for San Salvador are estimates based on El Salvador national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,538,525) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.