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Cost of Living in Ecuador

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The Cost Of Living In The Ecuador

Country-wide, the cost of living in Ecuador is about as inexpensive as it gets in Latin America. And within Ecuador, cities like Cuenca and Loja have living costs less than you’ll find in other major cities throughout the region. In fact, they are among the cheapest you’ll find for cities that still have the full complement of city amenities. Dinner out in Ecuador is inexpensive, and a three-course lunch can still be found for one dollar at many mom-and-pop restaurants.

Owning your own apartment

ExpenseMonthly CostNotes
RentUS$0
HOA FeesUS$120Not required in houses or some older apartments
Property TaxesUS$17
TransportationUS$50For taxis and motos around town, plus gasoline for personal car use.
GasUS$6Used for hot water and cooking
ElectricityUS$30
TelephoneUS$60
Internet and cable tvUS$44.91Up to 10GB, 110 channels
Cell PhoneUS$28Basic monthly plan with unlimited minutes, calling, texting, and 5 GB of data.
Medical AppointmentUS$30A basic doctor/clinic appointment; per visit
Household helpUS$40Two four-hour visits per week; 5 per hour
GroceriesUS$300Basic items for a couple.
WaterUS$11
EntertainmentUS$172Orchestra, theater, and cultural activities are usually free
TotalUS$908.91

Owning your own house

ExpenseMonthly CostNotes
RentUS$0
HOA FeesUS$0
Property TaxesUS$25Based on a large house in town
TransportationUS$50
GasUS$6Used for hot water and cooking, subsidized
WaterUS$11
ElectricityUS$70Little heating or air conditioning needed.
TelephoneUS$1.99
Internet and Cable tvUS$44.91Up to 10GB, 110 channels.
Cell PhoneUS$28Basic monthly plan with unlimited minutes, calling, texting, and 5 GB of data.
Household helpUS$40Two four-hour visits per week; 5 per hour.
GroceriesUS$300Basic items for a couple
Medical AppointmentUS$30A basic doctor/clinic appointment; per visit
EntertainmentUS$172Orchestra, theater, and cultural activities are usually free
MaintenanceUS$100
TotalUS$878.90

Renting an apartment

ExpenseMonthly CostNotes
RentUS$300Unfurnished, two-bedroom, comfortable apartment of 75–80 square meters in the town center with a walled garden and gated entry.
HOA FeesUS$100Average: HOA is often required of renters
Property TaxesUS$0
Car costsUS$0An unnecessary burden in the city
Auto InsuranceUS$0
TransportationUS$50For taxis and motos around town, plus gasoline for personal car use.
GasUS$6Used for hot water and cooking
ElectricityUS$70Little heating or air conditioning needed.
TelephoneUS$1.99for landline, includes 200 minutes (From ETAPA, July, 2018)
Internet and cable tvUS$44.91Up to 10 GB, 110 channels
Medical AppointmentUS$30A basic doctor/clinic appointment; per visit
Household helpUS$40Two four-hour visits per week; 5 per hour
GroceriesUS$300Basic items for a couple
EntertainmentUS$172Orchestra, theater, and cultural activities are usually free in Cuenca
TotalUS$1,806.90

Owning a Car

ExpenseMonthly CostNotes
Car registrationUS$12.50
InsuranceUS$54.17
MaintenanceUS$50
FuelUS$40Gas is $1.48 and Diesel is $1.03, subsidize
Car totalUS$156.67

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For tourists and foreign residents, Cuenca's Christmas Eve Paseo del Niño parade, or Passing of the Child, is a colorful, often bizarre mixture of the sacred and the profane. To locals, it is a time-honored Christian festival of thanksgiving and homage that combines Catholic and indigenous traditions. Everyone agrees that it's a lot of fun. The eight-hour-plus procession features floats and decorated cars, many festooned with flowers, fruits and vegetables, empty beer cans and liquor bottles, roasted pigs and chickens....

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