Are you considering a move to La Paz, Bolivia, and wondering about the cost of living? La Paz is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in La Paz and help you understand whether $1141 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $434.05.
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Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
2.89 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
21.66 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
6.5 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
2.02 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
3.61 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
2.31 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
1.15 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
0.78 $ |
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|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
0.95 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
1.0 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
0.99 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
1.65 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
4.93 $ |
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
3.52 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
6.62 $ |
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
2.41 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
1.21 $ |
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
1.12 $ |
|
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
1.05 $ |
|
|
Potato (1 lb) |
1.09 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
0.92 $ |
|
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
0.71 $ |
|
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
1.07 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
5.78 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
1.95 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
3.03 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
3.1 $ |
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|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
0.38 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
30.32 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
1.44 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
1.73 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
8.66 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
0.55 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
15161.27 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
19390.84 $ |
|
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
49.09 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
45.79 $ |
|
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
42.7 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
22.02 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
7.22 $ |
|
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
158.83 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
4105.58 $ |
|
|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
47.86 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
84.65 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
70.55 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
59.72 $ |
|
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
280.41 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
231.68 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
515.57 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
346.79 $ |
|
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
1246.96 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
857.39 $ |
|
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
434.05 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
8.54 % |
|
The monthly expenses for living in La Paz come to a total of approximately $1141. This includes an average monthly rent of around $280 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $71 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $412 per month.
Living in La Paz appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $434.05. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in La Paz, you would likely need an income exceeding $434.05.
In La Paz, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $434.05, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of La Paz is approximately $280. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $231.68 for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in La Paz can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $278 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in Bolivia can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Bolivia.
La Paz is not a very safe city which can be concluded from its ranking, so common standard precautions should be applied and tourists should be very careful of pickpockets and bag-snatching. Special attention should be paid to suspicious behavior, especially in crowded places.
In the last few years, there have been many incidents of kidnappings by taxi drivers, especially of female travelers. They will also try to overcharge you because there is no taximeter in their cars, so you need to agree on a price before entering the car. Strikes are a very often occurrence in La Paz which thus affects local transportation.
Thieves who would try to snatch your bag or pickpocket you are very frequent in public transportation and crowds. Different strategies are used to rob you and a common trick is the spilling of something on your clothes to distract your attention while another one takes your wallet or your bag.
The wet season, which lasts from November to March, can lead to unexpected situations concerning floods and landslides.
If you happen to be the victim of a mugging, it is advisable not to resist and give your valuable things, to avoid further issues which can lead to more serious consequences. There were records of mugging happening in La Paz. Even though kidnapping is not frequent, the kidnapping of tourists have occurred, and walking alone at night should be avoided.
Tourists should always be aware of the fact that terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out, even though there is no threat to Bolivia.
You need to be cautious when bag snatching is concerned, and your possessions should always be close to you. There have been some occurrences of fake policemen asking for your documentation.
Female travelers are not always safe in La Paz because there have been some assaults on women so they need to be particularly careful when on public transportation at night, in rural areas, and isolated sections.
While for some countries a visa to Bolivia is not obligatory for staying less than 90 days, the US citizens need a visa that costs US$160 and lasts for 10 years. A tourist card can be given to South American and Western European tourists depending on their nationality. Passport is the only valid documentation.
The official currency is the Bolivianos ($b). The bolivianos and US dollars are possible to withdraw at ATMs around the city. However, to avoid being pick-pocketed or losing your credit cards, do not take more money than you need if it is not necessary and pay special attention to the people around you while at the ATM.
Some parts of La Paz, which are at 4,000 meters above sea level, have a subtropical highland climate while, in the other parts of Bolivia, the climate varies depending on the altitude. Summers can be rainy and winter temperatures are often very low.
El Alto International Airport is La Paz's airport, located in the city of El Alto 13 km from La Paz's city center. It is the highest international airport due to its position at 4000 meters above sea level. Other main airports in Bolivia are Jorge Wilstermann International Airport and Viru Viru International Airport.
As in any country, tourists need to exercise a high degree of caution in Bolivia so it is advisable to get travel insurance which will cover medical problems, theft, and loss of private belongings.
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 56°F | 56°F | 57°F | 57°F | 58°F | 56°F | 56°F | 57°F | 58°F | 59°F | 60°F | 59°F |
| Temp | 48°F | 48°F | 47°F | 46°F | 44°F | 42°F | 41°F | 43°F | 45°F | 47°F | 49°F | 49°F |
| Low | 41°F | 41°F | 40°F | 37°F | 32°F | 29°F | 28°F | 30°F | 34°F | 37°F | 39°F | 41°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 13°C | 13°C | 13°C | 13°C | 14°C | 13°C | 13°C | 13°C | 14°C | 15°C | 15°C | 15°C |
| Temp | 8°C | 8°C | 8°C | 7°C | 6°C | 5°C | 5°C | 6°C | 7°C | 8°C | 9°C | 9°C |
| Low | 5°C | 5°C | 4°C | 2°C | 0°C | -1°C | -2°C | -1°C | 1°C | 2°C | 3°C | 5°C |