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Cost of Living in Santo Tomás

Santo Tomás, San Salvador, El Salvador · Population 32,099

▼ -16% vs El Salvador average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$407
Couple, monthly$724
Family of four, monthly$938

Estimated Prices in Santo Tomás

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$4.32per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$17.28per meal
Cappuccino$1.30each
Monthly groceries (single person)$97.92per month
Monthly public transport pass$15.84per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$41.76per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$12.10per month
Fitness club membership$12.10per month
Cinema ticket$3.17each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$171per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$119per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$358per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Santo Tomás is $405 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $407 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $529 per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($119) represents about 29% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Santo Tomás

Santo Tomás vs San SalvadorSanto Tomás vs Santa AnaSanto Tomás vs San MiguelSanto Tomás vs SoyapangoSanto Tomás vs MejicanosSanto Tomás vs Colón

Nearby Cities

Santiago Texacuangos

2 km away · San Salvador

San Marcos

6 km away · San Salvador

Panchimalco

6 km away · San Salvador

Ilopango

6 km away · San Salvador

Soyapango

7 km away · San Salvador

San Salvador

9 km away · San Salvador

Olocuilta

9 km away · La Paz

Delgado

10 km away · San Salvador

Other Major Cities in El Salvador

San Salvador

San Salvador · pop. 1,538,525

$605 / mo

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

Living in Santo Tomás

Santo Tomás is one of the key cities in El Salvador. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $407, placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $119 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $938 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $724 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Santo Tomás is $405. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $529 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Santo Tomás expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $407 per month in Santo Tomás including rent outside the city centre. That is 16% less than the national average for El Salvador.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Santo Tomás?
A net salary of around $529 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Santo Tomás with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Santo Tomás is $405.
How much is rent in Santo Tomás?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $171 per month in the city centre and $119 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $358.
Is Santo Tomás cheaper than El Salvador on average?
Yes — Santo Tomás is estimated to be about 16% cheaper than the El Salvador average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Santo Tomás?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $98 in Santo Tomás. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $4 and a cappuccino runs around $1.
How do transport costs in Santo Tomás compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Santo Tomás is estimated at $16. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Santo Tomás are estimates based on El Salvador national averages adjusted for city size (population 32,099). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.