Cost of Living in El Salvador
Everyday costs at a glance
| Item | Price | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Urban food basket, household of 3.73 people | $269.15 a month | September 2026 |
| Rural food basket, household of 4.26 people | $191.04 a month | September 2026 |
| Median rent, San Salvador | $1,875 a month | 2025 yearbook |
| Median rent, El Salvador | $1,578 a month | 2025 yearbook |
| Fixed broadband basket, 80 Mbps fibre | $25 a month | ITU 2025 |
| Mobile data basket, 5 GB | $12 a month | ITU 2025 |
| Regular petrol, central zone | $4.80 a gallon | 27 October to 9 November 2026 |
| Subsidised 25 lb LPG cylinder | $11.13 | November 2026 |
Source: La Prensa Gráfica: urban food basket reaches a record $269.15, ONEC data, October 2026; La Prensa Gráfica: El Salvador has the highest housing prices in the region, CAF yearbook, March 2026; ITU: ICT Price Baskets 2025, data file (XLSX); El Salvador.com: fuel prices unchanged until 9 November 2026; La Prensa Gráfica: LPG prices in El Salvador for November 20261,2,4,5,6
The food basket
- The canasta básica alimentaria (CBA) is the official measure of the monthly cost of basic food for a household.
- The urban basket rose from $264.74 in August to $269.15 in September 2026, and by $18.44 from $250.71 a year earlier.
- The rural basket was $191.04 in September 2026, almost unchanged from a year earlier.
- The basket covers food only. Rent, utilities, transport, schooling and health insurance come on top.
Source: La Prensa Gráfica: urban food basket reaches a record $269.15, ONEC data, October 20261
Wages and incomes
The minimum wage rose 12% on 1 June 2025, to $408.80 a month in commerce, services and industry and $402.32 in textile and clothing maquila. The standard working week for day work is 44 hours. For the cost of hiring staff, see the guides on salaries and social security.3,7,8
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in El Salvador?
The official urban food basket reached $269.15 a month in September 2026 for a household of 3.73 people, according to ONEC at the Central Reserve Bank.
How much is rent in San Salvador?
The median rent in San Salvador was $1,875 a month in a 2025 yearbook.
What is the minimum wage in El Salvador?
The general minimum wage in commerce, services and industry is $408.80 a month.
Sources
- La Prensa Gráfica: urban food basket reaches a record $269.15, ONEC data, October 2026 (in Spanish)
- La Prensa Gráfica: El Salvador has the highest housing prices in the region, CAF yearbook, March 2026 (in Spanish)
- Executive Decree 11 of 2025: minimum wages from 1 June 2025 (PDF, in Spanish)
- ITU: ICT Price Baskets 2025, data file (XLSX)
- El Salvador.com: fuel prices unchanged until 9 November 2026 (in Spanish)
- La Prensa Gráfica: LPG prices in El Salvador for November 2026 (in Spanish)
- Consortium Legal: new minimum wages approved in El Salvador, June 2025 (in Spanish)
- U.S. Department of State: 2026 Investment Climate Statements, El Salvador
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestSalvador.com for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
