Cost of living in Ecuador - 2017
I know it was mentioned before but getting supermarket membership cards are a must to save money. I think that’s one of first things people should do after settling in their city. I got the supermaxi fairly quickly which is also good at Megamaxi but procrastinated with the Mi Comisariato card which was a mistake because the savings for some items are even bigger than the stated members price. But better late than never but had I not procrastinated I probably could have acquired enough points for imported knives they were giving away for points.
Supermarket
Welch's grape juice 64 oz $7.89
Vegetarian Italian Sausage 300 grams $3.69
Snyder's mini-pretzels 9 oz $4
Lipton Ice Tea 500 ml bottle $0.90
Household/Home stuff
Chaide King size memory foam pillow $37
Entertainment
Movie ticket with Mi Comisariato card $5
Fast Food
Gyro Sandwich (Gyroville) $6.89
Burritto (Burrito Republik) $7
Do you know the difference in cost between an Ecuador guineo and an Ecuador banana?
... About... 5 cents ;-)
Ecuador is definitely not for everyone. I’d like to share my perspective.
I agree about cost of living increases but there is some good in that because salaries are increasing and taxes are used to combat poverty, something that Ecuador is succeeding in. Twelve years ago how much did a nurse make? $400 a month? That’s what I heard; now public sector nurses start at $1250.
A car inspection mechanic working in the public sector makes $1500 a month. A regular mechanic after completing a 3 year vocational program at an institute will start around $700-$800(if the work for a big car company they'll start $1200+), my friend’s son is doing this program, he has the potential to climb all the way up to $2000 a month, and by the way his education is subsidized as they only pay $46 a month in fees.
So for a country that I personally want to call home, I don’t mind the cost of living because I want Ecuadorian people to prosper which ultimately means a greater quality of life for everyone.
I am glad that living standards improves in Ecuador and I hope this will continue.
So one may wonder – what does this have to do with cost of living?
Many Ecuadorians’ incomes are supplemented similarly to the seamstress in the article who receives $800 a month from her eldest son to supplement her salary. In essence per capita for many Ecuadorians with relatives abroad is much more than what’s stated on Wikipedia for instance.
El Comercio (Ecuadorian Newspaper) - Remittances from abroad help families
Beef tongue $8.85 kilogram
Fresh French Baguette $0.95 (long one)
6 pk Malta drink (maltin) $3.50 (super sweet)
Cheerios 400 grams $4.79
Tilapia $14 kilogram ("100% Natural Export Quality")
Sophems wrote:I have never liked seafood, and have tried some of it. The only fish I can eat is salmon if all the skin is removed and it doesn't taste fishy and the real Chilean Sea Bass, as it's called in the US but not the real name of the fish and of course I've never seen it here. Since moving here, my husband who loves all seafood, has developed a toxicity to all shell fish even if it's used in making sauces but doesn't have the pieces in it. He goes through what's like sever food poisoning for 3 days, so I tell him, why should I eat seafood? He doesn't think it's funny because he loves it.
If you like Chilean Sea Bass you need to try Corvina (sea Bass). It's very mild and has an awesome texture.
Dove soap - 3 pk , $3.32
Old Orchard Cranberry Juice - 64 oz, $9.80
Bath towel, made in Ecuador, 140cm x 72cm $13
Lancome 5 color pallete, $69
English novels in Spanish translation - $5-$12
Electric per kilowatt $0.139 (rates vary by usage, the more electricity you use the higher the rates because the lesser the subsidy, the $0.139 is for a ~$50 bill)
Bowling 1 game for 2 people $5.00/$7.00, weekdays, weekends.
Turkey drumstick $5.50 kilogram (megamaxi)
Evaporated milk 400 ml, $2.15 (MM)
Sweet & Coffee 340 grams coffee, $6.00 (MM)
Peanut Butter Peter Pan, 1 pound, $5.99 (sale, normally $7.49)
Cream cheese light 250 grams, local brand $2.25 (MM)
Fiamma diced tomatoes 400 gram can, $0.99 (wooooohooooo cheapest ever )
ddagencylv wrote:Ok. Yes naturally you will lose on the pbj. Why not go to Tarqui and get the real deal?
Perhaps, but a jar lasts forever without the kids so I don’t mind. But if I come across it I’ll give it a try.
ROBERT KASIBANTE wrote:Thanks for the information can you please tell me more about the cost of living there? thanks
There is a lot of valuable information on this thread and throughout this website with regards to cost of living. You can use the search function to find out a lot more information for members who live in Ecuador.
Like many other countries,Ecuador's cost of living varies from area to area, city to city, and even within the same city too. With time you should be able to fill out a budget using your own information and information you've gathered. Keep in mind, you will be doing yourself a disservice if you omit expenses because they may lower your quality of life. For instance some people complain about the cold and humidity, and a solution for that costs money like using heat more and a dehumidifier and more importantly is living in a home that is not susceptible to high humidity and even mold.
The following are some expenses to think about and while not comprehensive they do cover many expenses.
Rent/Mortgage
Gas
Electricity (make sure to allocate heating if you'll live in colder areas)
Water
Health Insurance
Grocery
Cellular
Transportation (e.g. car payment, insurance, maintenance, gas)
Public Transportation
Clothing
Travel Local
Travel Abroad
Hobbies (e.g, cycling, hiking)
Eating Out
Entertainment Out (bowling, cinema, etc)
Subscriptions (netflix, cable etc)
Consumer Products
Internet
Pocket Money
Allowances for kids
Pets/Pets care
Salon Services (e.g haircuts, cosmetics)
Home Improvement
Maid
Schooling/Language courses
Books
Dental Care
Gym Membership
European wine prices in some restaurants have definitely decreased and in one place from $10 a glass to $6. So the trade agreement is materializing in some ways for consumers.
I also tried the local peanut butter which only has peanuts and salt as ingredients, it's okay, and cost was $1.60 for 225 grams. But I also got another jar of JIF crunchy (793 grams) because it had one of the lowest prices to date, $8.15. The creamy was $14 something so that raises eyebrows.
Also found good deals on Greek yogurt 4 x 150 grams for $2.60, and olives too, SNOB brand 100 grams net for $1.55. Yes I love Mediterranean food, and with my new grill, and delicious pita bread from Mi Comisariato I'm going all out tomorrow with shish kebabs, and side dishes. If they can lower the Feta Cheese that would be perfect it's currently about $7.50 for 250 grams, which is out of my league. I'm not paying the equivalent of $30 for a kilogram of Feta.
But yeah BBQs are great way to have a great time without spending too much money. For the meat it's best to use better local cuts or even Uruguayan beef.
Do you know one theory as to why local beef is tougher to chew than imports? Most of the cattle are in the highlands and they develop muscles going up and down the mountains and hills.
One of our primary reasons for considering a move to Ecuador is the cost of Health Care in the US. Even if all other costs were equal the lower (assumably) cost of Health Care would be huge benefit for retirees considering the $250K estimate for a 65 year old couple to live out their retirement in the US.
I don't see anything on this tread about Health Care or the associated costs?
Thank you in advance for any real life information you can provide.
Opsman64 wrote:the lower cost of Health Care would be huge benefit for retirees considering the $250K estimate for a 65 year old couple to live out their retirement in the US.
I don't see anything on this tread about Health Care or the associated costs?
Welcome to the Ecuador forum, Opsman.
To find health care threads, go to the forum's welcome page and type into the search box:
health care, healthcare, hospitals or other search terms.
-- cccmedia
Opsman64 wrote:Hello -
One of our primary reasons for considering a move to Ecuador is the cost of Health Care in the US. Even if all other costs were equal the lower (assumably) cost of Health Care would be huge benefit for retirees considering the $250K estimate for a 65 year old couple to live out their retirement in the US.
I don't see anything on this tread about Health Care or the associated costs?
Thank you in advance for any real life information you can provide.
In general the cost of healthcare in Ecuador is undoubtedly cheaper similarly to the rest of the world developed or otherwise when compared to The U.S. So in this sense you should have no concerns. As for exact costs it will definitely vary but everything I have heard and read supports the fact that Ecuador’s healthcare is cheaper. Possible obstacles may be language, finding specific specialists and in some cases specific medicine which can be imported with proper paperwork.
Laser teeth whitening (3 sessions) $200
Woolite black 1 liter $4.50
Diamond aluminum foil 25 feet $1.79
Organic Zucchini 500 grams $0.75
Organic Yellow Zucchini 500 grams $1.28
Organic Kale 150 grams $1.60
Organic Jalapenos 150 grams $0.55
3 Haas Avocados 680 grams total weight $0.75 (better and cheaper than Mercado)
Mineral water 6 liters $0.90
Vacuum Cleaner Powerful HEPA 1800w $120 (after 40% discount sale)
*grocery prices with member card
** organic produce is certified
Medical is great or was but now you need to show proof of health insurance to live here, I was self insuring and going to the best clinic here in Loja SanAgustin doctor specialists run 30 dollars and meds here are cheaper than the usa and no prescription needed if you know what you need can bypass the doctors visit dental is real cheap teeth cleaning and fillings run about 30 dollars each. Hair cuts run me 4 dollars and a full course Ecuadorian style meal is 3 dollars which includes big bowl of soup, than main course chicken beef or fish with rice beans and vegetable and juice drink and tiny desert. I have a girl come to my house and clean it every week 10 dollars a visit, entertainment runs me about 55 dollars a month for taking girls out or going to a club miscellaneous expenses maybe another 45 a month. I also go to Cuenca 4 times a year for traveling and medical stuff so including everything it comes out to about 1100 a month but that includes getting a lot of stuff from the USA and medical treatments in Cuenca if you bypass that stuff maybe 950 for a healthy adult no problem.
Lemon supermarket brand $2.86 kilogram
Organic tomatoes certified $2.48 kilo
Tilapia (whole fish) $6.30 kilo
Tilapia (fillet) “healthy water” $13.99 kilo
Diamond aluminum foil 75 feet $5.00
DHOY “Healthy Shots” 3 pack $1.80
Cream cheese, low fat, supermarket brand 250 grams $1.60
Cranberry juice (Peruvian) 1 liter $2.48
Tea, Hornimans premium blend, 25 bags $2.48
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Crepe, chicken with mushroom and cheese and coffee $6.00 at El Español. By the way, the coffee at this place is organic. I didn't know that before but when they upgrade their take away cups to those that are similar to Juan Valdez the print on it states such. If you like milder coffee then you'll like their coffee.
One can also buy cheaper aluminum foil, but I bake my food, and the supermarket brand is too thin and leaks and defeats the purpose of less cleaning. One can save about 75 cents a kilogram on tilapia fillets if they buy the non "healthy water", variety.
One can also buy cheaper tea bags, the ones I quoted are closest to Lipton.
59classic wrote:Thank you for this post. We live in a small rural town in the USA. Some of the food prices seem on par with what we pay here.
Yes for groceries there isn't any savings with the exception of fruits and vegetables. The savings here are mainly from services for instance a washed and ironed dress shirts are $1.75, pants are $3.50. A suit is $7.
Transportation is much cheaper, as is healthcare. Rent is also cheaper in general especially when compared to more expensive cities, and as everyone else knows local lunch "almuerzo", is also cheap. I had 1 BBQ chicken wing (local style), rice, Quinoa soup and artificial juice today for $3.
I have no problem with paying 50% more than regular price for items, but when it’s more than double I have a problem with that. I shop at some places without thinking twice like ZARA, Paco Express, SuKasa, and these places offer good deals, but some other places get on my nerves.
Quito November 2017 price (all prices SuperMaxi)
Energizer batteries C Max, pack of 2, $3.50
Lysol spray disinfectant spray $6.50
Mexican V-8 Juice 1 can, $1.69
Colgate Floss $3.39
Gala Apples 2.25 kg
Chicken Drumsticks $4.75 kg
This is why I continue to buy all toiletries and any vitamin supplements, including pain relievers in the US and bring back with me. The savings is huge for us, but may not be representative of all expats. One female gringa example is hair color. I know for a fact my hair style only really holds blonde color well, & processes very fast, of which I have verbally disclosed to 2 different hair stylists here in Manta. 1 who spoke perfect English, & the other who was referred to me and my North American friend by an Ecuadorian who lived/speaks perfect English and translated for us, has burned my scalp until I had blisters, but neglected the warnings by me that the color needed to come off because my scalp was burning, Needless to say, I paid US prices $85-100 for highlights (& they wouldn’t do the diff colors that I normally would choose) just for a burnt scalp and red over processed color to my hair. I tried the box sets from fybeca/super maxi, but was never sure how long to process my color since I had never ever used color on my own hair. I was used to getting my hair colored (& never the same) every 4-6 weeks. Now that I had a professional give me the color amount and solution amount on color & processing solution (still not sure what you call it), I can buy the color and solution at Sally’s in the US (excluding any sales), which costs me $3-5 to color my hair myself. To put it into perspective, I went to our new mall, showed the lady a picture of the haircut I wanted, & 3 Times had to say cut another inch off. When she was finally done, & I gave up, I thought my haircut was acceptable. When I got home and fixed my hair, I realized my hair on both sides of my face is ridiculously uneven. But that’s what a $95 hair cut in Miami without blowing it dry and a & $15 hair cut here gets you. And that’s the best hair cut with a wooden round brush gets you in Ecuador. That’s why I waited almost a year to get a hair cut, but just couldn’t take it anymore. Within the next few weeks, I will get my hair cut again and report back, from my husband’s she(it), not sure what the political term for trans/questionable gender is in ecuador and really could care less!! I will pay top dollar for someone to just cut my hair even. And to not sound racist, that’s just white girls problems relating to hair. Keep in mind our hair has different texture than Ecuadorian’s and if you get it colored or cut the outcome could be different than what you are accustomed to. I have even walked into salons in Quito, who have refused to work with my hair. AND I respect their honesty and prefer it to having my scalp literally blistered. I’ve never experienced a peeling scalp until I moved here. Then everyone thinks you have dandruff, of which I give al new unknown respect to.
But in the whole reality of life, Ecuador has taught me thru numerous life lessons, what is really important in life and what isn’t. It’s not always an easy life lesson, but I just figure if it doesn’t hurt in one way or another (& that includes giving to others who need help), then it’s not a real life lesson!! I’m still asking what’s left for me to learn before I’m able to return to the US, but with all the “so called” terrorist’s attack’s, I figure life isn’t so bad here after all.
I have an easy tomato juice recipe, which we have converted into a tomato/bloody marry recipe I can share. Just pm me. I freeze any excess for later use and it’s way cheaper than store bought stuff, even here.
Here are some typical costs:
Breakfast
Chicken empanada (Chilean) with 1 freshly ground coffee (Loja) $3.25
Game of chess, free
Lunch
At Mercado central 1 plate Corvina, ceviche, potatoes and 1 “negra” beer $7
Newspaper expresso de Guayaquil $0.70
2 coffee, 2 desserts at nice café at centro histórico $10
1 bag mangoes about 20 small ones, very ripe, for $1 (all fruits/veggies from ladies in centro histórico
1 bag limes about 1.5 kg for $1
1 bag tomatoes very hard ones, just the way I like them $1
Transportation $0.75 (3 buses)
Amazonas and naciones unidas to ejido park 0.25
Ejido park to Central mercado 0.25
Mercado central to Quicentro 0.25 (Night time bus)
Locally made leather low cut lace up boots $65. Similar quality ones at malls can cost between $99-$149. I bought these from the leather district in Quito or Amazonas in Mariscal. Anything leather or wool buy from places that specialize in such.
Shaggy rug, “ultra-soft”, made in Belgium 170x120cm $112
100% coconut water 355 ml, $1.25
Greek yogurt 225 grams, $1.50
Chicken fried rice, seafood fried rice, spring eggroll, soda, water $25 (Chinese restaurant)
Michelada 3 for $6, at a beer garden
INKA burger with fries and soda $4.50
So when people say Ecuador is cheap, I am absolutely convinced that they are not consumers. And it’s understandable, but there are expats who regard Ecuador as their new home and not simply treating it as a stopgap. Others say, well we’re minimalist or frugal or whatever other appropriate term is used. But not everyone is like that, and it doesn’t change the fact that things are costly.
Some will quote the big bottles of beer which are sold for 3 for $6 or $7 at some bars. I know about those places and I hang out with friends there sometimes. But sometimes one wants to listen to a little Rock, in a nice ambiance where a pint is $4.50. There’s this and there’s that, can one state it’s cheap based on the 3 bottles for $6? That would be dismissing the reality of costs. This is also true for dining out, and even clothing as some people buy for instance no-brand jeans at mercados in South Quito for $15, but a pair of Levi's is how much?
Entertainment? A futbol game for $15 prime seats? Mi Comesario has nice Peruvian wines for $5 all day.
Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Belize, Colombia are all ideal. He feels very safe in Ecuador.
ddagencylv wrote:I really don't know what world your living in. Ecuador is relatively cheap compared to most Western Countries. My father lives in Manta and he spends maybe $60 a month on groceries. That includes eating out. Yes, the fine dining establishments will charge you "Nobu" prices but why would you eat that when you can grab fresh Vegetables from Tarqui (It's gone now due to earthquake) and fish from the playa. Even if you do the restaurants I know are $25 on the high end.
Entertainment? A futbol game for $15 prime seats? Mi Comesario has nice Peruvian wines for $5 all day.
Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Belize, Colombia are all ideal. He feels very safe in Ecuador.
$60 a month is impressive but other expats' groceries are not similar to your fathers. And it’s interesting because another member who actually lives here, Sophems, and who lives in your dad's city, Manta, has stated on this very thread that her costliest expense is food, and about $800 a month for two people, and I believe 2 dogs.
As for me $60 is about my weekly grocery and I eat out a lot. You mentioned breakfast in another post, my breakfast costs range from $1.50 for seco to $2.75/$3.25 for a chilean empanada with cup of coffee to $7-$9 for pancakes, eggs, bacon, and coffee.
So as been stated repeatedly, if one is to simply use the lowest prices to state that a country is cheap, then that really is counter-productive, because it is deceiving as many things cost much more here.
If we compare grocery items at the biggest supermarket in Quito or Mega Maxi to say Costco then the costs will in general (excluding fruits and vegetables) be about 30% more.
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