Urcuqui, a charming city in Ecuador, offers a unique blend of cultural richness and natural beauty. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering a move or planning an extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Urcuqui, 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 $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 $8, with a range between $7 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 $0.9 and $1.48 per liter, averaging $1.12.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1 and $2.2, with an average price of $1.58.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.53 to $3.5, averaging $2.31.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $0.96 to $5 per kg, while oranges range from $1 to $5 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.5 and $2 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.3 to $1 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.63 and $1.07 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $1.5, with a cost of $1.45 to $2 per km and $8 to $20 per hour of waiting.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $18,000 and $25,000, while a Toyota Corolla ranges from $22,000 to $32,000.

Housing Costs

  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child - The cost for private preschool is between $200 and $420 per month, averaging $288.89.
  • International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child - Yearly fees for international primary school range from $2,400 to $10,000, averaging $7,190.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $25 and $80, averaging $41.12.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $25 to $40.31, with an average cost of $31.13.
  • Mobile Phone Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs between $10 and $20, averaging $14.53.
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: Jan, 2025

Cost of Living Data

We don't have enough data available for this city...
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$5.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$38.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$8.00
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)
$2.69
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)
$7.50
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.44
Apples (1kg)
$2.39
Oranges (1kg)
$1.21
Potato (1kg)
$1.41
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.85
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)
$7.65
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.71
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$20,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.50
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
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$41.12
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$31.13
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$14.53
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$7.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.89
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$44.40
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$97.73
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$83.13
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
11.06%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$288.89
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$7,190.00
Urcuqui Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Urcuqui offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many urban centers. Dining out is inexpensive, and grocery prices are reasonable.

Transportation costs are low, especially for fuel, making it economical for car owners. However, purchasing a new car can be a significant expense.

Utilities and internet services are affordable, contributing to the overall cost-effectiveness of living in Urcuqui.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Urcuqui presents a cost-effective living environment with affordable dining, transportation, and utility costs.

While housing and education can vary in price, the overall expenses remain manageable, making Urcuqui an attractive option for those seeking a balanced lifestyle in Ecuador.