Cost of living in San Marcos
San Marcos, located in El Salvador, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern living. Understanding the cost of living in this city is crucial for both residents and potential newcomers.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in San Marcos, 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 $10 on average, with a range between $5 and $15.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $37.5, with prices ranging from $28 to $60.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $7, with a range between $6.5 and $8.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1 to $3, imported beer $3 to $5, cappuccino $1.5 to $4.5, and Coke/Pepsi $0.75 to $1.5.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $1.4 and $3.5 per liter, averaging $1.95.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1 and $7.72, with an average price of $2.12.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.8 to $4.6, averaging $3.04.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1 to $5.51 per kg, while oranges range from $0.99 to $4.41 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1 and $3.8 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.5 to $1.5 per head.
Transportation
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.01 and $1.19 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3, with a cost of $3 to $5 per km and $7 to $20 per hour of waiting.
- Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $19,000 and $26,000, while a Toyota Corolla ranges from $25,000 to $30,000.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Data not provided for rental prices in the city centre.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Data not provided for rental prices outside the city centre.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - Data not provided for buying prices in the city centre.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Data not provided for buying prices outside the city centre.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $90 and $120, averaging $106.6.
- Internet - Internet services range from $40 to $45, with an average cost of $42.14.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for El Salvador 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 El Salvador, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
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Utilities (Monthly)
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Sports And Leisure
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Clothing And Shoes
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Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
San Marcos offers a relatively affordable cost of living, especially in dining and transportation.
Grocery prices vary widely, with some items like bread and milk showing significant price ranges.
Transportation costs are moderate, with affordable gasoline prices and taxi fares.
Utilities are reasonably priced, with internet services being particularly cost-effective.
Conclusion
In conclusion, San Marcos, El Salvador, presents a cost-effective living environment with affordable dining and transportation options.
While some grocery items may vary in price, overall expenses remain manageable, making it an attractive location for both locals and expatriates.