Quito, Ecuador

Cost of Living in Quito, Ecuador

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Quito costs approximately $871 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $483. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Quito is a city in Ecuador, where a single person can expect to spend about $871 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $483 per month, or $336 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 144 Mbps median download speed, and Ecuador offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Quito scores 38/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 61°F and winter highs around 65°F, with roughly 355 sunny days a year.

Top for MountainTop for National ParkTop for VolcanoTop for WaterfallTop for WildlifeDigital nomad visaFamily friendlyMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$871≈ $29/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$483
Internet144 Mbps
Safety38/100
Avg Temp63°F

Quito Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$5
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$42.50
McDonald's Combo Meal$7.85
Cappuccino$3
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.50
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$1.04

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.11
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.58
Eggs (12)$2.21
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$3.11
Apples (1 lb)$1.05
Bananas (1 lb)$0.52
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.54
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.60
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.01
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$10
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$6

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.35
Monthly Transit Pass$21
Taxi Start$1.50
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.41
Gasoline (1 Liter)$0.78
VW Golf (New)$21,000

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$32.42
Mobile Phone Plan$17.69
Broadband Internet$27.15

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$43.10
Cinema Ticket$7
Preschool (Monthly)$595
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$8,457.50

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$61.89
Nike Running Shoes$113.44

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$483
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$336.14
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$824.94
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$543.94
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$161.24
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$67.80

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$646.82
Mortgage Interest Rate10.56%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Quito

Internet144 Mbps
Safety38/100
Healthcare70/100
Public Transit40/100
Walkability55/100
Nightlife42/100
Food Scene65/100
Fine Dining8/100
Coffee Culture55/100
Air Quality88/100
Green Spaces55/100
Culture55/100
Beaches55/100
Hiking80/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces15
US Visa-Free90 days

Communities & Expat Groups

Digital Nomads Ecuador

Quito FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Quito?

A single person should budget around $871 per month in Quito, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Quito?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Quito averages $483 per month, dropping to about $336 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $825.

Is Quito safe?

Quito scores 38/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 45/100.

How fast is the internet in Quito?

Median download speeds in Quito are around 144 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 15 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Ecuador offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Ecuador offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 90 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Quito?

Quito sees summer highs around 61°F and winter highs near 65°F, with about 355 sunny days and 249 rainy days per year.

Visa Requirements for Ecuador

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Ecuador and how to apply.