Nicaragua can be a very afforable place to live. Just how affordable depends on your lifestyle and whether you plan to simply retire here, do business here or both.

We estimate very generally that a "typical" couple could live a comfortable middle-class lifestyle in our area (including frequent restaurant outings, regular movie outings and doctor check-ups) for as little $1500 a month or $18,000 a year, if you own your residence.

Prices on this list are updated irregularly and are currently as of
December 2008.

Household-Related
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• house cleaning (just cleaning, 1-2 hours a day, 5 days a week): $20/month
• full-day/live-in maid (clean, cook, iron, 5 days a week): $50-$100/month
• gallon of purified water: $1
• high speed internet access (512kbps): $50/month
• natural fruit juices (orange, pineapple, ice-tea, etc.): 30 cents to $1
• soda (Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta Orange Soda, etc): 50-60 cents
• electricity: highlands: $30-$50/month, lowlands: $50 - $150/month (if a/c)
• laundry (laundromat washing and drying for one big load): $7

Dining
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• typical breakfast (rice, beans, fried banana and eggs): $1.50
• budget (frintanga) lunch: $2-$3
• mid-level lunch: $4
• high-level lunch at a top restaurant: $5
• budget (fritanga) dinner: $3-$4
• mid-level dinner: $5
• high-level dinner at a top restaurant: $7-10

Education
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• Nicaraguan private school: 25$/month
• English-language private school
American Nicaraguan School: about $200-520/month (including fees)
Lincoln International Academy: $200-440/month (including fees)

Transportation
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• within-city public transport with city bus: 0.16$
• inner-city taxi (within Leon city limits): $1 or less
• inner-city taxi (within Matagalpa city limits): $1 or less
• intra-city bus:
Leon to Managua: under $1.4;
Leon to Matagalpa: under $3
Matagalpa to Managua: under $3;

Real Estate
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• rent a house: $120-800$/month ($1000-$2500/month for best colonials)
• construct modern home (depends on many variables): $50,000-$250,000
• Property Taxes: minimal

Medical care
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• basic women's checkup: $16
• blood and urine test: $15; ultra-sound test: $15
• doctor check-up (with no insurance): $16
• health insurance for access to top private clinic: $30-$50/month
• eye exam: $3; eyeglasses: $100
• multiple tooth fillings: $200
• Zolpidem 10mg (Abien in U.S., Stilnox in Nicaragua) $1.18/tablet
• Metroprolol, 100mg (for blood pressure) $0.14/tablet
• Combivent Inhaler $6 each (versus $97.00 in U.S.)
• eye surgery -- crystalline replacement (both eyes): $2500

Medical care - Hospital Pellas (best in Nicaragua)
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Executive check up includes
blood/glucose/cholesterol/urine/stool/PAP/prostate tests
X-Ray/mammogram/ultrasound/blood pressure/EKG
(depending on sex)

• For women over 40 years of age: $450
• For men over 40 years of age: $350
• For women under 40 years of age: $275
• For men under 40 years of age: $200

Serenity client Debi H. on drug costs:
"Even when the price difference is not significant, as in the case of the Ambien, you don't have the added expense and inconvience of a doctors office visit. When you know what you need, you just go get it. You don't have to pay $65 - $150 for a doctors office visit and fight with the doctor to get the prescription that you know works versus the newest thing on the market that costs more...and the doctor and the pharmaceutical representative company get travel awards for pushing!"

Miscellaneous
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• hair cut for men: $2
• hair cut for women: $3.5
• movie theater ticket: $2
• cup of coffee in a small café : $2
• bottle of local beer: $0.80
• rent a room: $50-60/month

Food
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• papaya: $2, banana: $1, pineapple: 50 cents, watermelon: 50 cents
• orange: $1.5/dozen; bread: $1.5; liter of milk: $1.15; rice (5 lbs): $5,
• beer: 80 cents; chicken breat: $2/lb

Other
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Water-Sewage (apt.) $5
Cable or Direct TV $30-50
Gasoline (regular gas) $4-5.00 per gallon
Cereal(large box of cornflakes) $1.50
Beans (5 lbs.) $1.80
Airmail Letter around $.60 to the U.S.
Doctor’s Visit $10-30
New Automobile U.S. prices plus around 30%duty
Used Car U.S.prices plus around 30% duty
* All of these prices are subject to fluctuations.

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