An image showcasing the beauty of Cotacachi

People enjoying the surroundings of Cotacachi

Cost of living in Cotacachi

Cotacachi, a charming town in Ecuador, is known for its vibrant culture and scenic beauty. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocation or extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Cotacachi, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $3.5 on average, with a range between $3 and $9.
Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $38, with prices ranging from $25 to $63.
Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $4, with a range between $4 and $8.
Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.5 to $6, imported beer $2.5 to $7, cappuccino $1.5 to $3.8, and Coke/Pepsi $0.5 to $2.5.

Grocery Prices

Milk - Milk is priced between $0.61 and $2 per liter, averaging $1.12.
Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1 and $4, with an average price of $1.58.
Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.53 to $3.6, averaging $2.31.
Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $0.96 to $5 per kg, while oranges range from $0.73 to $5 per kg.
Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.5 and $3 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.3 to $1 per head.

Transportation

Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.43 and $0.8, with a monthly pass priced at $15.
Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.63 and $1.07 per liter.
Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $1.25, with a cost of $0.93 to $2 per km and $8 to $20 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $250 to $350, averaging $275.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $150 to $250, averaging $183.33.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $350 to $600, averaging $450.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $255 to $400, averaging $335.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $600.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $400 to $624.31, averaging $512.15.

Utilities

Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $25 and $80, averaging $35.
Internet - Internet services range from $21 to $40.31, with an average cost of $26.75.

Worldwide

Ecuador

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Ecuador are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Ecuador, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 12 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

Restaurants

Avg

Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

$3.50

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

$38.00

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

$4.00

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.50

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.05

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69

Cappuccino (regular)

$2.24

Markets

Avg / Range

Markets

Avg

Range

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

$1.12

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

$1.58

Eggs (regular) (12)

$2.31

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.24

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.04

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

$10.00

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.68

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.45

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

$4.00

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.44

Apples (1kg)

$2.39

Oranges (1kg)

$1.21

Potato (1kg)

$1.41

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.78

Rice (white), (1kg)

$1.67

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36

Banana (1kg)

$1.21

Onion (1kg)

$1.04

Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

$7.47

Transportation

Avg / Range

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$0.50

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.00

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.69

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

$20,000.00

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.25

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

$1.50

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.00

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

$27,625.00

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$500.00

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

11.06%

Childcare

Avg / Range

Childcare

Avg

Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

$75.00

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

$3,000.00

Overview Job Market

Cotacachi Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Cotacachi offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many other cities, making it an attractive option for expatriates and retirees.
Housing is particularly affordable, with rental prices significantly lower than in major urban centers.
Dining out is inexpensive, and local transportation costs are minimal, contributing to overall affordability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cotacachi provides a cost-effective living environment with affordable housing, dining, and transportation options.

This makes it an appealing destination for those seeking a budget-friendly lifestyle without compromising on quality of life.

Cotacachi

Nearby Cities

Quito36 miles

San Juan de Pasto93 miles

Manta190 miles

All cities in Ecuador