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

Cuenca gets all the cost-of-living articles. Makes sense — it's the traditional expat hub, and the numbers are compelling. But Quito is where many expats actually end up, especially those with jobs, businesses, embassy needs, or families wanting international schools. And Quito's cost of living tells a different story than Cuenca's.

The short version: Quito runs 15-25% more expensive than Cuenca, primarily because of housing in expat-popular areas and transportation in a city that sprawls for 40 km north to south. But it's still dramatically cheaper than any major US city, and you get a capital city with world-class restaurants, museums, international flights, and a diplomatic community.

Here's what things actually cost in 2026.

Housing

Quito's housing market is more segmented than Cuenca's. The neighborhood you choose determines not just your rent but your entire lifestyle — commute times, restaurant access, safety profile, and how much Spanish you'll need day-to-day.

La Floresta — The Expat Creative Hub

Rent range: $400-700/month furnished 2-bedroom Character: Bohemian, walkable, cafes, galleries, street art, Universidad Católica nearby Who lives here: Younger expats, digital nomads, artists, NGO workers

La Floresta is Quito's answer to Brooklyn or Shoreditch — a formerly working-class neighborhood that's become the creative center of the city. The streets are lined with independent coffee shops (Café Galletti, Café de la Vaca), bookstores, galleries, and small restaurants. It's walkable, bikeable, and has genuine neighborhood character.

Housing is mostly older buildings — think character apartments with high ceilings and tile floors, not modern high-rises. A furnished 2-bedroom runs $400-600, an unfurnished 1-bedroom $300-450. Some buildings show their age (older plumbing, street noise), but the location is hard to beat.

The catch: Parking is a nightmare. Street safety after dark requires awareness — it's a city neighborhood, not a gated community. La Floresta borders La Mariscal (the tourist/nightlife district), which brings some spillover issues.

Cumbayá and Tumbaco — Where Expat Families Go

Rent range: $600-1,200/month furnished, houses available $800-1,500 Character: Suburban, malls, international schools, gated communities Who lives here: Expat families, embassy staff, Ecuadorian upper-middle class

Cumbayá is Quito's expat suburb — a valley east of the city at slightly lower elevation (2,300m vs. Quito's 2,800m), meaning warmer temperatures and more sunshine. This is where you'll find the international schools (Colegio Americano, Colegio Menor, Alliance Academy), the shopping malls (Scala Shopping, Centro Comercial Cumbayá), and the highest concentration of expat families.

Housing ranges from modern furnished apartments ($600-900 for a 2-bedroom) to houses with gardens in gated urbanizaciones ($900-1,500). Tumbaco, just east of Cumbayá, offers similar housing at 10-20% less.

The catch: If your life is in Quito proper, the commute is real. The Ruta Viva highway (opened 2013) helps, but rush hour traffic between Cumbayá and Quito can stretch a 20-minute drive to 60-90 minutes. Many Cumbayá expats end up living their entire lives in the valley — which is fine, but it's a different experience from living in the city.

González Suárez — High-Rise Living With Views

Rent range: $700-1,200/month furnished 2-bedroom Character: Modern high-rises, views of the valley, upscale, quiet Who lives here: Professionals, retirees wanting city convenience, Ecuadorian upper class

Avenida González Suárez is Quito's prestige address — a ridge-top avenue lined with 15-20 story apartment towers offering panoramic views of Cotopaxi, the Guápulo valley, and the city skyline. The apartments are modern, well-maintained, and come with doormen, parking, and building amenities.

A furnished 2-bedroom with views runs $800-1,200. Smaller units or those without prime views drop to $600-800. This is the neighborhood for people who want modern, secure, low-maintenance living in the heart of the city.

The catch: It's residential and quiet — not walkable in the way La Floresta is. You'll drive or cab to restaurants and shops. The few restaurants on González Suárez itself tend toward upscale.

Centro Histórico — Character and Culture

Rent range: $300-500/month for a furnished apartment Character: Colonial architecture, churches, plazas, UNESCO World Heritage Who lives here: A small but growing expat community, artists, history buffs

Quito's historic center is one of the best-preserved colonial districts in the Americas. Living here means 400-year-old buildings, cobblestone streets, massive churches, and a sense of place that no modern neighborhood can match. Rents are the lowest of any area expats consider — $300-500 for a furnished place.

The catch: Noise. Pollution. Street-level safety issues after dark. Limited parking. The neighborhood empties out after business hours and can feel isolated at night. Infrastructure in old buildings can be unpredictable. Most expats visit the Centro Histórico; fewer live there full-time. But those who do tend to love it fiercely.

Other Neighborhoods Worth Knowing

• La Carolina / Quicentro area: Business district, $500-800 for furnished apartments, near Parque La Carolina, close to malls and offices. Generic but functional.
• Guápulo: Artistic hillside neighborhood between González Suárez and Cumbayá. Gorgeous views, bohemian vibe, steep streets, $400-700 rent. Limited transit access.
• Iñaquito / La Pradera: North-central, business-oriented, $500-800, walkable to Quicentro mall and Parque La Carolina.

Housing Cost Summary

Neighborhood	Furnished 2BR	Character
Centro Histórico	$300-500	Colonial, noisy, cheapest
La Floresta	$400-700	Creative, walkable, cafes
Guápulo	$400-700	Artistic, hillside, views
La Carolina/Iñaquito	$500-800	Business district, functional
Cumbayá	$600-1,200	Suburban, families, schools
González Suárez	$700-1,200	High-rise, views, modern

Groceries

Quito has the same supermarket chains as the rest of Ecuador — Supermaxi, Megamaxi, Akí, Santa María — at similar prices. Where Quito differs is in the breadth of imported and specialty products available. The larger international community means more Asian groceries, European cheeses, American brands, and specialty items that you simply can't find in Cuenca.

Where to shop:

• Supermaxi/Megamaxi: The default. Well-stocked, consistent pricing, multiple locations. A full weekly shop for two people runs $50-80.
• Mercado Iñaquito (Mercado La Carolina): The best traditional market in the expat-accessible part of Quito. Fresh produce, meat, flowers — significantly cheaper than supermarkets. Weekly produce for two: $15-25.
• Mercado Central / Mercado San Roque: Larger, more chaotic, cheaper still, but further into the Centro Histórico. Worth the trip for bulk buying.
• La Favorita / Megamaxi in Cumbayá: The Cumbayá expat default. Larger format, more imported goods, slightly higher prices.
• Specialty shops: Kallari (Ecuadorian chocolate and organic products, La Mariscal), various Korean and Chinese grocery shops near La Mariscal, and organic markets on weekends in La Floresta and Cumbayá (La BioFeria, Saturdays).

Monthly grocery cost for a couple: $250-450. Slightly higher than Cuenca ($200-400) because of more imported product temptation and the Cumbayá premium.

Dining Out

This is where Quito punches above its weight. The restaurant scene is legitimately excellent — more diverse and more ambitious than Cuenca's, with everything from $3 almuerzos to $60/person tasting menus.

Price ranges:

• Almuerzo (set lunch): $2.50-4.00, available everywhere. Same format as the rest of Ecuador — soup, main course, juice, small dessert. In Centro Histórico and working-class areas, you'll find them for $2.50. In La Floresta or Cumbayá, $3.50-4.50.
• Casual restaurant: $5-12 per person. Cevicherías, Chinese-Ecuadorian chifas, rotisserie chicken joints, shawarma places.
• Mid-range restaurant: $12-25 per person. Quito has excellent Italian (Il Risotto, Cosa Nostra), Japanese (Noe Sushi, Sake), Mexican (Los Choris), Indian (Great India), and contemporary Ecuadorian (Zazu, Más Cultura).
• Fine dining: $30-60 per person. Quito has restaurants that would hold their own in any capital city. Zazu (on Mariano Aguilera in La Floresta) is arguably the best restaurant in Ecuador. Casa Julián, Quitu, and Urko (Andean cuisine with foraged ingredients) round out the top tier.
• Coffee: $1.50-4.00. Quito's specialty coffee scene is strong — Café Galletti, Montúfar, Lulú's Coffee, and multiple third-wave shops.
• Craft beer: $4-7 at a bar. Quito has more craft breweries than anywhere else in Ecuador — Bandido Brewing (La Floresta), Santana Brewing, Camino del Sol.

The Cumbayá factor: The valley has its own thriving restaurant scene — La Esquina de Al (Uruguayan grill), Chez Jérôme (French), and a strip of options along Calle Francisco de Orellana. Cumbayá dining averages 10-20% more than equivalent Quito restaurants.

Monthly dining out: $200-600 for a couple depending on habits. You could eat almuerzo daily and cook dinner for $200. Frequent mid-range restaurants and weekend fine dining pushes it to $500-600.

Transportation

This is the biggest cost difference between Quito and Cuenca. Cuenca is compact — most expats walk or grab a $2 taxi. Quito stretches 40 km from north to south, and getting around requires more planning and more money.

Public Transit

• Quito Metro: Opened December 2023, runs from Quitumbe (south) to El Labrador (north), 15 stations, $0.45/ride. Covers the central spine of the city. Clean, fast, a game-changer for north-south travel. Doesn't reach Cumbayá or Tumbaco.
• Ecovía / Trole / MetroBus: The older BRT (bus rapid transit) lines. $0.25-0.35/ride. More coverage than the Metro but slower and more crowded. The Ecovía runs along Avenida 6 de Diciembre and is useful for getting between La Floresta and northern Quito.
• Regular buses: $0.25/ride, extensive coverage, confusing route system, crowded during rush hours. Fine once you learn your routes.

Taxis and Rideshare

• Within a zone (La Floresta to La Mariscal, Cumbayá to Tumbaco): $3-5
• Cross-city (La Floresta to north Quito, Centro Histórico to Cumbayá): $8-15
• Quito to Cumbayá/Tumbaco: $12-20 depending on traffic
• Quito to airport (Tababela): $25-35

Uber works well in Quito and is generally the safest option, especially at night. InDriver is the cheaper alternative — you bid your price. Both are widely used. Yellow taxis are fine during the day; always use the meter. At night, use an app.

Car Ownership

More justified in Quito than Cuenca, especially if you live in Cumbayá and commute. A used car runs $8,000-15,000 (Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Aveo, Kia Rio), insurance $50-80/month, gas is subsidized at about $2.50/gallon, parking in the city $2-4/hour. Monthly all-in car cost: $200-400 including fuel, insurance, maintenance, and parking.

Monthly transportation budget: $100-200 if you live centrally and use transit/Uber. $200-400 if you live in Cumbayá and commute. $300-500 if you own a car.

Healthcare

Quito has the best healthcare infrastructure in Ecuador. More specialist physicians, more advanced hospitals, and more options than anywhere else in the country.

Key hospitals:

• Hospital Metropolitano (private, on Av. Mariana de Jesús): The gold standard. Excellent emergency room, full specialist coverage. Consultation $50-80, ER visit $80-150 before treatment.
• Hospital de los Valles (Cumbayá): The valley's top private hospital. Convenient for Cumbayá/Tumbaco residents. Similar pricing to Metropolitano.
• Clínica Pasteur (north Quito): Solid private option, slightly lower prices.
• IESS hospitals: If you're on IESS social security ($90-100/month voluntary enrollment), you have access to the public system. Quito's IESS hospitals (Carlos Andrade Marín is the main one) are better staffed than smaller cities but waits can be long.

Monthly healthcare costs: Same structure as elsewhere in Ecuador. IESS voluntary at ~$90-100/month, or private insurance $100-300/month depending on age and coverage. Pay-as-you-go visits average $40-80 for a specialist, $15-30 for a GP.

Utilities

Ecuador subsidizes electricity and water nationally, so these costs are similar across cities.

Utility	Monthly Cost
Electricity	$25-50 (less AC needed at altitude)
Water	$8-15
Gas (cooking)	$3-5 (subsidized tank)
Internet (fiber, 50-100 Mbps)	$30-50
Cell phone (Claro/Movistar, data plan)	$15-30
Netflix/streaming	$8-15
Total utilities	$90-165

Quito's altitude means you don't need air conditioning (ever) or heating (mostly — a space heater for $20 handles cold nights). This keeps electricity bills low year-round.

Other Monthly Expenses

Gym membership: $30-60/month. Quito has more gym options than Cuenca, including international chains and CrossFit boxes. Parque La Carolina is the free outdoor gym — runners, cyclists, and exercise groups use it daily.

Domestic help: $200-250/month for a full-time empleada (5 days/week), $50-80/month for a weekly cleaning. You're legally required to register domestic workers with IESS and pay their benefits — budget an additional 30-40% on top of salary for the legal costs.

Entertainment: Movies $5-7 at Multicines or Cinemark, theater tickets $10-30, concerts $15-50, museum entry $3-8 (many free on the first Sunday of each month).

Laundry: If your apartment doesn't have a washer, lavanderías charge $1-2 per kilo. Most furnished apartments include a washing machine.

The Full Monthly Budget

Budget Single Expat

Living in La Floresta or Centro Histórico, cooking most meals, using public transit and Uber.

Category	Monthly
Rent (furnished 1BR)	$350-500
Groceries	$150-250
Dining out	$100-200
Transportation	$60-100
Utilities + internet	$70-120
Healthcare (IESS)	$90-100
Entertainment/misc	$100-200
Total	$920-1,470

Comfortable Single Expat

La Floresta or La Carolina, mix of cooking and dining out, regular Uber use.

Category	Monthly
Rent (furnished 2BR)	$500-750
Groceries	$200-300
Dining out	$200-350
Transportation	$120-200
Utilities + internet	$80-130
Healthcare (private insurance)	$100-200
Entertainment/misc	$200-350
Total	$1,400-2,280

Comfortable Couple

Cumbayá or González Suárez, dining out regularly, car or frequent Uber.

Category	Monthly
Rent (furnished 2-3BR)	$700-1,100
Groceries	$300-450
Dining out	$300-500
Transportation	$200-350
Utilities + internet	$90-150
Healthcare (private, two people)	$200-400
Entertainment/misc	$200-400
Total	$1,990-3,350

Premium Couple

High-end Cumbayá house or González Suárez penthouse, fine dining, car ownership, international-standard lifestyle.

Category	Monthly
Rent (upscale furnished)	$1,100-1,500
Groceries (imported goods)	$400-600
Dining out (frequent fine dining)	$500-800
Transportation (car ownership)	$300-500
Utilities + internet	$100-165
Healthcare (premium private)	$300-500
Domestic help	$250-350
Entertainment/travel	$400-700
Total	$3,350-5,115

Quito vs. Cuenca — The Honest Comparison

Category	Quito	Cuenca	Difference
Rent (expat 2BR)	$500-1,000	$450-800	Quito 10-20% more
Groceries	$250-450	$200-400	Similar
Dining out	$200-600	$150-500	Quito 15-20% more (more options)
Transportation	$100-400	$50-150	Quito 2-3x more
Healthcare	Similar	Similar	Quito has more specialists
Utilities	Similar	Similar	Nearly identical
Overall	15-25% more	Baseline	Housing + transport drive the gap

The gap isn't enormous, but it adds up. A couple spending $2,200/month in Cuenca would need $2,500-2,800 for the same lifestyle in Quito. The premium buys you a bigger city with more cultural offerings, more international dining, better flight connections, and a more cosmopolitan feel.

The Bottom Line

Quito is not the cheapest place to live in Ecuador — that title goes to smaller cities like Loja or Ambato that most expats never consider. But for what you get — a capital city at 2,800 meters with perfect spring weather year-round, a UNESCO World Heritage historic center, world-class restaurants, excellent healthcare, direct flights to Miami and Houston, and a vibrant cultural scene — it's an extraordinary value.

A comfortable single expat can live well in Quito for $1,500-2,000/month. A couple can do it for $2,000-3,000. You're not roughing it at these numbers — you're eating out regularly, living in a safe neighborhood, and enjoying a quality of life that would require $5,000-8,000/month in most US cities.

For a direct comparison, see our cost of living in Cuenca guide and our breakdown of Quito neighborhoods for expats. If you're deciding between the two cities, read Cuenca vs. Quito for expats.