Skyline of Apopa
Cost of Living: 85 150,000

Apopa, El Salvador

A northern suburb of San Salvador, an industrial area with manufacturing and logistics operations.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Apopa is a city in SS with a population of 150,000. A northern suburb of San Salvador, an industrial area with manufacturing and logistics operations. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7a growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. A relatively small share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree. The population skews young, with a median age of 28.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 85

Below Average vs El Salvador Avg (100)

Housing Index 90

Affordable

Median Income $16,000

Household income

Unemployment 9.0%

Job market health

Apopa vs El Salvador Average

Cost of Living
Apopa: 85
El Salvador Avg: 100
Housing Index
Apopa: 90
El Salvador Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Apopa: 30%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30.0%
  • Sales Tax: 13.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $16,000
  • Unemployment: 9.0%
  • Population: 150,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 220/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 64°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: $70,000
  • 1BR Rent: $300/mo

Not sure this is the right city?

Take our 2-minute quiz to discover the best cities for your lifestyle and budget.

Take the Quiz

Cost of Living

Apopa's cost of living index is 85 (El Salvador average = 100).

CategoryApopaNational AverageDifference
Overall85100-15.0%
Housing90100-10.0%

Data source: DIGESTYC / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$70,000
Median Rent (1BR)$300/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$375/mo
Price per Sq Ft$46

Data source: Encuentra24 / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Apopa:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$50
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)$6Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$20Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$35Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$111Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: SIGET, DELSUR, Tigo 2025

Remote Work Score

Apopa scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
85
Rent
$300
Sunny Days
220
Tax
30%
Unemployment
9.0%
Climate
88°F / 64°F
Safety
2.4 homicides/100k
Population
150,000
Internet Speed
40 Mbps

Climate

Apopa has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January84°F64°F2.5"
April73°F79°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F82°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Apopa faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake Extreme Risk

Located in a highly active seismic zone with frequent major earthquakes.

Volcano High Risk

Active volcanic region in Central America.

Tsunami High Risk

Pacific coast vulnerable to tsunamis.

Flood High Risk

Tropical storm floods.

Landslide High Risk

Mountainous terrain with rain-induced landslides.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Hurricane Moderate Risk

Moderate hurricane risk.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30%
  • Sales Tax: 13%
  • Property Tax: ~0.2% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 9.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Apopa per 100,000 residents:

50.0
Violent Crime
150.0
Property Crime
2.4
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Academic Year January to October/November
Term System Semester — 1st (Jan-Jun), 2nd (Jul-Oct)
Summer Break October/November to January (10 weeks)
Winter Break June/July (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter week (1 week)

Many schools operate in shifts.

Demographics

The population of Apopa is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Indigenous
0.2%
Mestizo
86.3%
Other
0.8%
White
12.7%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.0%
High school graduate
22.0%
Less than high school
50.0%
Some college
12.0%

Religion

Christian (Catholic)
50.0%
Christian (Protestant)
36.0%
Other
2.0%
Unaffiliated
12.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: DIGESTYC Census (2007)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Apopa, El Salvador?

The cost of living index in Apopa is 85, which is Lower the El Salvador national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Apopa?

The median home price in Apopa is $70,000. The housing index is 90.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Apopa is approximately $300/mo.

Does Apopa, SS have income tax?

Apopa is in SS, which has an income tax rate of 30%.

What is the climate like in Apopa?

Apopa enjoys approximately 220 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 64°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: DIGESTYC / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Encuentra24 / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: DIGESTYC Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities SIGET, DELSUR, Tigo 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.