Cuenca Cost of Living 2026: What You'll Actually Spend Each Month

We deal in numbers, not hype.

Every week someone asks us: "What does it actually cost to live in Cuenca?" We've helped hundreds of families relocate here over 25+ years, and we've watched budgets succeed and fail. The numbers below come from what our clients actually spend, cross-referenced with Numbeo, International Living, CuencaHighLife, and Expatistan.

Bottom line: a comfortable lifestyle in Cuenca runs $1,500-$2,500/month for a couple. A frugal single person can manage on $1,000-$1,200. That's not marketing copy. That's what we see in practice.

Housing: $450-$800/month

Housing is the biggest variable. Here's what the rental market looks like in early 2026:

Numbeo pegs the average 1-bedroom in the center at roughly $400 and a 2-bedroom at around $510 unfurnished. Furnished places in desirable neighborhoods like El Centro, Yanuncay, or near the Tomebamba River run higher.

Buying vs. renting: A nice condo starts around $80,000. Property taxes (impuesto predial) are remarkably low - typically under $300/year even on substantial properties, and homeowners over 65 are exempt on properties valued under $183,000.

Utilities: $100-$130/month

Ecuador's climate is the secret weapon here. Cuenca sits at 8,400 feet with year-round temperatures of 50-70F. No heating. No AC. That alone saves hundreds compared to most US cities.

Electricity rarely exceeds $20/month because you're not running HVAC. Cooking gas is government-subsidized at roughly $3/month. Fiber internet at 50+ Mbps runs about $25-$35 depending on provider.

Food: $250-$500/month

This is where Cuenca shines and where your lifestyle choices create the biggest swings.

Eating out:

• Almuerzo (set lunch: soup, main course, juice, sometimes dessert): $3-$5
• Casual dinner for two: $15-$25
• High-end restaurant, full meal for two with wine: $60-$80

Groceries:

• Weekly market run (fruits, vegetables, family of two): $20-$30
• Monthly supermarket groceries (Supermaxi, Coral): $300-$450 if buying imported/US-style products
• Monthly groceries using local markets and mercados: $150-$250

If you eat almuerzos out several times a week and shop at local mercados, a couple can eat well for $300-$400/month. If you insist on imported brands from Supermaxi, expect $400-$500+.

Healthcare: $85-$250/month

Healthcare is typically the category that surprises expats the most. Doctor visits in Cuenca run $25-$40 out of pocket. That's not a copay - that's the full price.

You have three main insurance options:

Most of our clients carry IESS plus a local private plan, which gives them full coverage for roughly $130-$200/month. The IESS voluntary enrollment costs 17.6% of your declared income (minimum wage base), working out to about $83/month per person.

For context: the average American over 65 pays $165/month for Medicare Part B alone, before supplemental coverage.

Transportation: $30-$80/month

Most Cuenca residents don't need a car. The city is walkable, and public transit is cheap:

If you take buses and the occasional taxi, budget $30-$50/month. If you own a car, add gasoline at $2.72/gallon (far cheaper than US prices, though up from the old subsidized rates) plus insurance and maintenance.

Entertainment and Miscellaneous: $100-$300/month

• Gym membership: $30-$50/month
• Movie ticket: $4-$6
• Coffee at a cafe: $1.50-$3
• Monthly haircut: $5-$10
• Domestic help (part-time, common in Cuenca): $80-$150/month
• Laundry service: $5-$8 per load

Putting It All Together

Here's what a realistic monthly budget looks like for a couple in Cuenca:

Comfortable Budget (Couple)

Frugal Budget (Single Person)

How This Compares to the US

According to Numbeo, Cuenca's cost of living is 54% lower than New York City and roughly 49-57% lower than the average US city. Some specific comparisons:

• A $1,800/month apartment budget in the US gets you a 2BR with views, full utilities, insurance, and groceries in Cuenca - with money left over.
• US healthcare premiums averaging $700+/month for a couple over 65 drop to $170-$250 in Cuenca with better out-of-pocket costs.
• A $3-$5 almuerzo replaces a $15-$20 lunch in any mid-tier US city.
• Property taxes under $300/year vs. $3,000-$10,000+ in most US states.

Ecuador uses the US dollar, so there's no exchange rate risk. Your Social Security, pension, or remote income arrives in the same currency you spend.

One Thing the Budget Doesn't Show

Numbers tell most of the story, but not all of it. The clients who succeed long-term in Cuenca aren't just chasing savings - they're buying a different quality of life. Walking to the market. Having a doctor who spends 30 minutes with them. Living in a UNESCO heritage city where a night out costs less than a US copay.

The ones who struggle are usually the ones who tried to replicate an American lifestyle with imported products and didn't engage with the local culture. Cuenca rewards you for living like a Cuencano.

Keep reading:

• IESS vs Private Health Insurance in Ecuador
• Why Cuenca for Expats
• Guide to Ecuador Residency

Planning a move to Cuenca and want to understand the real costs? Schedule a consultation or call 651-621-3652.