Merida, a picturesque city in Venezuela, is known for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering a move or planning a visit.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Merida, covering everything from dining and groceries to housing and transportation.

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 $25.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $45, with prices ranging from $40 to $60.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $9, with a range between $8 and $10.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $0.6 to $2, imported beer $1.5 to $2.5, cappuccino $1 to $2, and Coke/Pepsi $1 to $1.5.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.5 and $2.8 per liter, averaging $2.17.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1 and $4.95, with an average price of $2.48.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.7 to $2.5, averaging $2.07.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $4.37 to $5.8 per kg, while oranges range from $1.4 to $2 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.9 and $0.97 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.26 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.25 and $0.3.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is consistently priced at $0.5 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3, with a cost of $2 to $6.5 per km.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $100 to $150, averaging $116.67.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $70 to $100, averaging $90.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $170 to $250, averaging $206.67.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $180 to $200, averaging $190.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $280 to $650, averaging $465.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $400.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $9.44 and $15, averaging $12.22.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $30 to $50, with an average cost of $38.33.
Worldwide
Venezuela

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Venezuela 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 Venezuela, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Feb, 2025

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 9 user contributions, as of the most recent update in June, 2023.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$10.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$45.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$9.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.60
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$2.17
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.48
Eggs (regular) (12)
$2.07
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.43
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.76
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$9.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.16
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$4.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.43
Apples (1kg)
$5.09
Oranges (1kg)
$1.70
Potato (1kg)
$0.94
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.26
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.63
Tomato (1kg)
$1.07
Banana (1kg)
$1.05
Onion (1kg)
$1.21
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$7.34
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$0.28
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$0.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.50
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$45,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$3.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$37,500.00
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$116.67
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$90.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$206.67
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$190.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$12.22
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$38.33
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$22.50
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$7.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$90.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$40.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$86.67
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$65.00
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$465.00
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$400.00
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$250.00
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$57.50
Merida Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Merida offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many other cities, with affordable housing and inexpensive dining options.

Transportation costs are minimal, especially for public transport and gasoline, making it easy to get around the city.

Grocery prices are reasonable, though some imported goods may be more expensive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Merida presents an affordable living environment with its low housing and transportation costs.

While some imported goods and luxury items may be pricier, the overall cost of living remains manageable for most residents.

Potential residents can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without breaking the bank, making Merida an attractive option for those seeking affordability.