How Much Does It Cost to Live in Quito?
Go to Quito if you want to see one of the capital cities situated on the altitude of more than 2500 m above sea level.
Quito is surrounded by volcanoes.
In spite of this, the economically developed city has luxurious business centers, modern residential areas, and rich historical heritage.
Interestingly, all of them have been available in the Northern part of the city.
The Southern regions might be unsafe for you, though.
Ask a local guide to help you explore them.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Quito
RESTAURANTS
An appetizer, a main course and a dessert in a mid-range restaurant in Quito costs $35.00 on the average.
For this money, you can buy 5 combo meals in a fast food restaurant like McDonald’s or similar.
Or you can afford yourself 10 small bottles of the imported beer.
Spanish, Greek, Italian and American restaurants or fast foods can be found in different corners of Quito.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $4.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.50 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.49 |
MARKETS
Imagine yourself in the middle of a colorful market with the counters full of fresh meat, fish, fruits, sea products etc.
You are in Quito.
This city has food for every gourmet out there.
There are plenty of supermarkets if you feel more comfortable to do shopping like this.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $3.20 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.28 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.75 |
TRANSPORTATION
Basic public transport in Quito is big and spacious buses.
There are a lot of buses in the streets and you can always catch one to get to your place of destination.
In fact, you can also use a so-called metro-bus which you can use to get to a particular metro station.
The prices are very low.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $0.25 |
| Monthly Pass | $18.37 |
| Gasoline | $1.84 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Every citizen and guest living in Quito for a month or more will receive the utility bills and have to pay them.
Public utilities in Quito cost around $43.76 per month for heating, cooling, electricity and garbage collection.
You can get a water heater and pay less or more depending on your consumption level.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $43.76 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.13 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $38.11 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
As you probably know, the most popular sport in every city in Ecuador is football.
It has several professional football teams which regularly partake in the local and international matches.
Football is something the locals love watching the most.
As for the prices for some other activities, see the table below.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $58.90 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $16.86 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $6.00 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
A pair of Nike running shoes or any other similar brand that you can find in Quito will cost you around $109.14 on the average.
Since this is a sportive city where almost everyone is keen on football, knowing the average prices is really helpful.
If you forgot to put your summer dress in the suitcase, you can buy it here, in Quito.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $82.68 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $56.54 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $109.14 |
RENT PER MONTH
You can get some absolutely different types of accommodations in Quito according to your needs and budget, month-to-month or longterm.
Many foreigners buy the apartments in Quito to rent them out or sell them at more attractive prices.
Just remember that there are some still active volcanoes in the area, so keep it in mind when you choose to rent or buy accommodation at the bottom of a mountain.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $434.38 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $285.50 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $712.50 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Quito?
Let us try to draw the image of an average citizen of Quito.
This is somebody who loves going to the market and buying products to cook some very delicious meals in the kitchen.
He or she uses public transport and often goes to restaurants with friends family or friends to watch football or enjoy international cuisine.
They put off 20.7% of their monthly income to pay bills.
They also prefer to spend money on sports and leisure rather than go shopping.
Average Costs Breakdown
Quito: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
The minimum wage in Quito is similar to the minimum wage throughout the country.
Ecuador has fixed this figure at $318.00 and promises to increase it shortly.
Nevertheless, if you are a highly qualified specialist or you are a rare professional in your line of business, you will definitely find some nice position in Quito with a high salary.
The average net salary after tax is $603,57 per employee per month.
Quito does not have a low employment rate, but you still have the chance to find a job here with your excellent qualifications, and then settle for life or retirement.
Quito Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Quito Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | MEDIUM |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | MEDIUM |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | HIGH |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| MUGGING RISK | HIGH |
| TERRORISM RISK | LOW |
| SCAMS RISK | MEDIUM |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| TAP WATER RISK | HIGH |
Cost of Living by City in Ecuador
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
 Cuenca |
36.13 |
| Guayaquil |
47.21 |
Sounds like a cool destination, but I can only imagine the cost of living up in the clouds! Not sure if my wallet is ready for those luxurious business centers while dodging volcanoes and safety concerns.