Ecuador (EC)

Ecuador is one of the most popular expat countries in the Americas in 2026, especially for retirees, remote-income households, investors, teachers, entrepreneurs and families who want US-dollar living, affordable private healthcare, varied climates and established foreign-resident communities.

Capital: Quito

Region: Americas

Language: Spanish

Currency: USD ($)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 32)

Emergency: 911

Cost of Living

Real prices in Ecuador — 2026 data in USD.

Cost of living index

(100 = NYC reference)

Very affordable compared to major global cities. Your money goes a long way here.

Food & Groceries

Bread (local bakery, loaf) $1–3

Milk (1L) $1–2

Eggs (12) $2–4

Chicken (1kg) $3–6

Plantain / banana (1kg, local staple) $0.50–1.50

Beer (0.5L, Pilsener / Club Verde, supermarket) $1–2.50

Zhumir aguardiente (750ml, local spirit) $5–12

Monthly groceries for 1 person (local markets / supermarket) $300–550

Dining Out

Empanada or tamale (street food) $1–3

Almuerzo / set lunch (soup + main + juice) $2.50–6

Locro de papa or ceviche (iconic Ecuadorian dishes) $5–15

Casual restaurant dinner for 1 $10–25

Coffee (americano / cappuccino) $2–5

Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) $40–90

Rent

1-bed apartment, Quito north / Cumbaya $900–2,200/month

1-bed apartment, Guayaquil (Samborondón / Kennedy) $600–1,400/month

1-bed apartment, Cuenca or Loja $350–750/month

Furnished 1-bed, beach hub (Manta / Salinas / Atacames) $600–1,600/month

Highland expat rental (Cuenca area) $500–1,300/month

3-bed house, suburban Quito $1,500–3,500/month

Transport

Quito Metro single ride $0.35 (flat fare)

Quito Trole / Ecovía BRT $0.25

Uber / inDrive short Quito ride $5–15

Taxi within Quito $3–10

Intercity bus Quito–Loja (Azuay) $18–28 one-way

Fuel (regular gasoline per litre, ARCERNNR-regulated) $0.85–1.05

Domestic flight Quito–Guayaquil return $80–200

Health & Insurance

Private walk-in clinic / pharmacy doctor $30–80

Private GP / specialist consultation $60–180

Dental cleaning $60–150

International health insurance (adult, expat plan, monthly) $150–500

Private emergency room visit (before tests) $400–3,000

Utilities

Electricity (moderate AC use, monthly) $60–180

Water (municipal provider, monthly) $20–60

Fibre internet (CNT / Claro / Netlife) $35–75/month

Mobile plan (Claro / Movistar / CNT) $15–40/month

Bottled water / garrafón (20L) $3–6

Childcare

Private daycare / guardería (monthly) $250–800

Private preschool / kinder (monthly) $200–650

Private bilingual school (annual) $5,000–15,000

International school (annual, premium) $15,000–30,000

Leisure

Cinema $5–12

Gym membership (monthly) $25–60

Galápagos Islands tour (5-day cruise, iconic) $1,500–5,000/person

Otavalo artisan market day trip $20–60/person

Spanish private tutor $20–50/hour

Haircut (men's) $5–15

Haircut (women's) $15–40

Maracuyá cocktail evening (local bar) $20–50

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