Cost of living in Ecuador
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries
Monthly cost in Ecuador
Spending runs from $88 a month in the poorest fifth to $1,021 in the richest
Per person, whole country
$285
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
$88richest 20%
$1,021
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Key facts
The cost of living in Ecuador in numbers
The richest fifth spends 11.6× the poorest
Spending runs from $88 a month in the poorest fifth to $1,021 in the richest, which is #12 of 185 countries by that gap. A single national average hides a lot here.
Typical spending takes 56% of the average wage
A typical person spends $285 a month while the average take-home wage is $508, so 44% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in Ecuador compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Ecuador against other countries
Cheaper than 53% of countries
Where Ecuador sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs $1,000 at world-middle prices costs $981 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Ecuador
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Cost of living in Ecuador
$88/mo
vs $800 in your country
Take-home
$288
vs $1,200 in your country
Potential savings
$200
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Ecuador?
A typical person in Ecuador spends about $285 a month — around $3,420 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Ecuador?
By spending, Ecuador ranks #104 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about $285 a month, the poorest 20% about $88 and the richest 20% about $1,021. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Ecuador?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about $88 a month per person, a typical one around $285, and a comfortable life around $454. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in Ecuador enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about $285 a month, while the average take-home pay in Ecuador is about $508. For more on incomes, see salaries in Ecuador.
Is Ecuador an expensive country to live in?
Somewhat. Ecuador is more expensive than 44% of countries worldwide and ranks 29th of 33 in Latin America by cost of living.
What currency is used in Ecuador?
Ecuador uses the US Dollar (USD). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
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Living in Ecuador
See the full country overview