Travel budget and cost of living in Cuenca (Ecuador) how much does a trip cost?

Cuenca travel budget

Cuenca: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Cuenca

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Cuenca for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Cuenca compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Cuenca in 2024 is 38% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Cuenca in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Cuenca by expense type

Restaurant budget in Cuenca

Lunch

$ 3.5/person
($ 2.5 to $ 6.5)

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82% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 16/person
($ 11 to $ 24)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 7.1/person
($ 6 to $ 7.5)

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35% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 3 for 500ml
($ 1.5 to $ 4.1)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 3.1 for 330ml
($ 2 to $ 4.1)

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13% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 2.2/cup
($ 1.3 to $ 3.5)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 1.1/can
($ 0.7 to $ 2)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 0.6/bottle
($ 0.5 to $ 1)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Cuenca

1-star hotel

$ 50/night
($ 19 to $ 146)

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65% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 143

2-star hotel

$ 63/night
($ 18 to $ 174)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 143

3-star hotel

$ 71/night
($ 28 to $ 198)

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65% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 205

4-star hotel

$ 107/night
($ 39 to $ 319)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 291

5-star hotel

$ 103/night
($ 65 to $ 191)

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79% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 502

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 48/month
($ 19 to $ 125)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 142

Room with kitchen

$ 83/month
($ 20 to $ 225)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 205

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 90/month
($ 44 to $ 183)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 188

Cottage or guest house

$ 61/month
($ 25 to $ 144)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223

Family room

$ 114/month
($ 30 to $ 254)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 192

Supermarket food budget in Cuenca

Milk

$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.5)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 1.7/500g
($ 1 to $ 2.6)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Rice

$ 1.4/kg
($ 1 to $ 2)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 1.9/12 eggs
($ 1.3 to $ 3)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Chicken

$ 6.8/kg
($ 3 to $ 8.9)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 2/kg
($ 1 to $ 4.4)

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61% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 2)

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74% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 1.1/kg
($ 0.5 to $ 1.4)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3

Water bottle

$ 1.1
($ 0.6 to $ 1.5)

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49% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Cuenca

Bus ticket

$ 0.3/ticket
($ 0.3 to $ 0.3)

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85% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.2/km
($ 0.7 to $ 2)

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35% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 0.6/litre
($ 0.6 to $ 0.7)

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35% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 0.6
($ 0.6 to $ 1.5)

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82% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Car hire

$ 90/24hrs
($ 23 to $ 314)

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190% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 32

Leisure activity budget in Cuenca

Cinema

$ 6/ticket
($ 5 to $ 7.1)

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57% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 9.3/hr
($ 4.1 to $ 16)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 24

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Cuenca

Cigarettes

$ 6/pack
($ 5.6 to $ 6)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 67
($ 36 to $ 82)

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24% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 55
($ 46 to $ 61)

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24% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

London → Quito

$ 964
(fair price: $ 844)

New York City → Quito

$ 522
(fair price: $ 435)

Los Angeles → Quito

$ 555
(fair price: $ 453)

Toronto → Quito

$ 567
(fair price: $ 468)

Montreal → Quito

$ 632
(fair price: $ 516)

Chicago → Quito

$ 601
(fair price: $ 467)