Cost of Living in Cuenca, Ecuador — Real Monthly Budget (2026)

Everyone quotes a different number. Some blogs say $1,200/month. Expat forums say $2,500. The truth depends on how you live — but the floor is lower and the ceiling is higher than most people think.

Here's what things actually cost in Cuenca in 2026, broken down by category.

Housing

Rent is the biggest variable in your budget. Cuenca has everything from $350/month apartments in local neighborhoods to $1,200/month furnished condos in El Centro or near the rivers.

Typical expat ranges:

• Budget apartment (unfurnished, local neighborhood like Totoracocha or Yanuncay): $350–500/month
• Mid-range furnished apartment (2 bedroom, Ordoñez Lasso or El Centro area): $600–800/month
• Upscale furnished condo (river views, modern building, doorman): $900–1,200/month
• House with garden (Misicata, Challuabamba, suburban areas): $700–1,100/month

Utilities run $40–80/month for electricity, water, and gas. Ecuador subsidizes electricity and water, so these are genuinely cheap. Internet is $30–50/month for 50–100 Mbps fiber.

Realistic housing total: $450–1,300/month depending on your standards.

Groceries and Food

This is where Ecuador shines. The mercados (open markets) are absurdly cheap if you're willing to shop like a local.

Weekly grocery costs:

• Mercado shopping (Feria Libre, 10 de Agosto): $20–35/week for fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, cheese
• Supermarket (Supermaxi, Gran Akí, Coral): $40–70/week for a mix of local and imported products
• Imported items (peanut butter, craft beer, specialty cheese): add $20–40/week if you want American/European products

A kilogram of chicken breast runs $3–4. A kilo of bananas is $0.50. A dozen eggs costs $1.50–2.50. A whole pineapple is $1. Avocados are $0.25–0.50 each.

Realistic food-at-home total: $200–400/month for a couple.

Dining Out

Eating out in Cuenca ranges from dollar lunches to $30/person fine dining — and everything in between.

• Almuerzo (set lunch at local restaurants): $2.50–4.00 for soup, main course, juice, and dessert
• Casual restaurant meal: $5–10 per person
• Mid-range restaurant (Italian, sushi, craft burger places): $12–20 per person
• Fine dining (Zazu, Tiesto's, wine pairing): $25–45 per person
• Coffee: $1.50–3.50 depending on the cafe
• Local beer at a bar: $2–3.50
• Craft beer: $4–6

If you eat one almuerzo a day and cook dinner, you can eat very well for $200/month. If you eat out for most meals at mid-range spots, budget $400–600/month.

Realistic dining out total: $150–500/month depending on habits.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs in Ecuador are a fraction of US prices. The question is whether you use public (IESS), private clinics, or a combination.

• IESS enrollment (public healthcare): ~$85/month based on minimum wage contribution
• Private doctor visit: $40–80
• Specialist visit: $50–100
• Dental cleaning: $30–50
• Blood work panel: $20–40
• MRI: $200–400 (vs. $1,500+ in the US)
• Private insurance (Salud SA, BMI, Ecuasanitas): $100–300/month depending on age and coverage

Most expats use IESS for major medical and pay cash at private clinics for routine care. Total cost: $85/month for IESS plus $25–80 per private visit as needed.

Realistic healthcare total: $100–200/month average.

Transportation

Cuenca is walkable if you live centrally. The tranvía (light rail) runs through the city for $0.35 per ride. Taxis are cheap.

• Tranvía ride: $0.35
• Bus fare: $0.30
• Taxi across town: $2–4
• Uber/InDriver: similar to taxis, sometimes cheaper
• Gasoline: $1.50–2.50/gallon (subsidized)
• Car insurance: $50–80/month
• Parking: free in many areas, $1–2/hour downtown

If you don't own a car, transportation costs $30–60/month. With a car, add gas, insurance, and maintenance for $150–250/month total.

Realistic transportation total: $40–200/month.

Entertainment and Lifestyle

• Gym membership: $30–50/month
• Movie ticket: $5–7
• Netflix/streaming: same as US prices ($15–20/month)
• Yoga class: $5–8 drop-in, $40–60 monthly package
• Domestic flight (Cuenca to Quito): $60–100 round trip
• Weekend trip to the coast: $100–200 including transport and hotel

Realistic entertainment total: $100–300/month.

Cell Phone and Internet

• Prepaid cell plan (Claro, Movistar): $10–20/month for calls, texts, and data
• Postpaid plan (unlimited data): $25–40/month
• Home internet (fiber): $30–50/month

Realistic connectivity total: $50–80/month.

The Bottom Line

Lifestyle	Monthly Total (Single)	Monthly Total (Couple)
Budget (local apartment, mercado shopping, public transit)	$800–1,100	$1,100–1,500
Comfortable (nice apartment, mix of mercado and supermarket, occasional dining out)	$1,200–1,800	$1,600–2,400
Premium (upscale condo, frequent dining out, car, private healthcare)	$2,000–3,000	$2,500–3,800

The sweet spot for most expats is $1,400–2,000/month for a single person or $1,800–2,800/month for a couple. That gets you a nice apartment, good food, healthcare, and a social life — at a fraction of what the same lifestyle costs in the US, Canada, or Europe.

What People Get Wrong

"You can live on $1,000/month." Technically yes, if you live in a basic apartment, shop only at mercados, never eat out, and don't own a car. But most North American and European expats aren't willing to live that way.

"Cuenca is getting expensive." Relative to what it was in 2015, yes. Relative to any comparable city in the developed world, it's still remarkably affordable. The people complaining about prices usually mean "it's not as cheap as it used to be," which is true of everywhere.

"You need $3,000/month minimum." Only if you want a luxury lifestyle with a car, maid service, private healthcare, and fine dining multiple times per week. Most people live very well on significantly less.

The real advantage isn't that Cuenca is dirt cheap — it's that your dollar goes further in quality of life. A $1,500/month lifestyle in Cuenca would cost $3,500–4,500 in a mid-size US city.