Cost of Living in Bolivia

If you've ever considered moving to Bolivia, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Bolivia?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Bolivia and whether the reported $1108 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $458.18.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Bolivia
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

2.88 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

20.0 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

6.84 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

1.73 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

3.45 $

Cappuccino (regular)

2.51 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

0.88 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.72 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

0.96 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

1.22 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.09 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

1.43 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

4.62 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

3.61 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

6.16 $

Apples (1 lb)

2.17 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.15 $

Oranges (1 lb)

1.24 $

Tomato (1 lb)

1.07 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.06 $

Onion (1 lb)

0.89 $

Lettuce (1 head)

0.68 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.98 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

5.76 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

1.82 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

2.65 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

2.88 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.29 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

30.94 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

1.44 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

1.44 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

7.19 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

0.55 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

15109.0 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

20360.51 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

36.65 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

0.21 $

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

53.83 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

39.77 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

13.83 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

6.48 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

192.47 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

3162.85 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

45.63 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

46.83 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

69.34 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

67.21 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

292.87 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

229.85 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

493.96 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

381.15 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

1115.39 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

831.0 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

458.18 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

7.47 %

Bolivia

How Safe Is Bolivia for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Bolivia

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Bolivia is somewhat safe to visit, though it has many dangers. You should be aware that tourist hotspots, restaurants, shops, and public transportation are places where most thefts and pickpocketing occur, and that violent crime exists on the streets, too.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Transportation is not very safe or reliable. Tourists are advised to avoid the Coronilla Hill in Cochabamba, near the main bus terminal, since this area is where the drug addicts and alcoholics gather and it's dangerous for both foreigners and locals. Common strikes affect the public transport, so it's not very reliable.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

As for pickpocketing, it is a recurring concern on the streets of Bolivia, but what is even more common is bag snatching, so be careful and hold your bags tightly by your side. Even better, keep your money and your valuables elsewhere, like in hidden pockets of your clothes and never ever keep all of your money in the same place.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Rainy season, especially in the mountainous areas can be a risky time for tourists, and you can expect floods and landslides from November to March in these regions.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

There have been cases of mugging and even kidnappings which usually involve criminals targeting a foreigner, taking them hostage and driving them to the nearest ATM to withdraw everything from their bank account. These kidnappings are most likely to occur include Plaza Abaroa, Plaza Humbolt, Plaza Isabel La Católica, Plaza del Estudiante, Plaza San Francisco, and the Altiplano, as well as the downtown area of the city.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

The risks of terrorist attacks in Bolivia are low, but since they shouldn't be ruled out, it is important that you remain vigilant at all times and aware of your surroundings. There are common demonstrations and you are advised to steer clear of them, since they might turn violent.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

There is a high risk of getting scammed. Don't fall for "non-uniformed policemen" trying to extort money from you. For official policemen, a copy of your passport and your Bolivian visa will be enough. If they turn aggressive towards you, scream to scare them away. Taxi drivers might try to trick you into paying more, giving you wrongful information about the price of the ride.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Many women have traveled to Bolivia and had nothing but great time. However, this country isn't the safest in terms of females traveling solo, especially at night and you should apply precaution measures at all times and avoid dark and empty streets and locations.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

Some countries do not need a visa to enter Bolivia, for any stays shorter than 90 days. Make sure your passport is valid for six months beyond your arrival date. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

currency_exchange

Currency

Bolivian boliviano is the official currency in this country. Even though all sizeable towns have cajeros automáticos (ATMs), don’t rely on them and always carry some cash with you, especially if you plan on traveling to rural areas.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

Bolivia has the humid tropical climate characterized by very distinct wet and dry seasons and an average temperature of 30 °C, though the climate varies greatly from region to region. However, Bolivians typically refer to two seasons: the rainy season and dry season.

flight_takeoff

Airports

Viru Viru International Airport is Bolivia's largest international airport. It is located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the most populous city of Bolivia.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Bolivia, because it would cover not only medical problems, but also theft and loss of valuables.

Comparison of the Cost Of Living in Bolivia with other countries

Cost of living in countries