Skyline of Santa Tecla
Cost of Living: 100 140,000

Santa Tecla, LI, El Salvador

An upscale suburb of San Salvador, known for its colonial architecture, restaurants, and cultural venues.

Updated July 19, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs El Salvador Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income $28,000

Household income

Unemployment 6.5%

Job market health

Santa Tecla vs El Salvador Average

Cost of Living
Santa Tecla: 100
El Salvador Avg: 100
Housing Index
Santa Tecla: 115
El Salvador Avg: 100
Income Tax
Santa Tecla: 30%

Taxes

  • Income Tax: 30.0%
  • VAT: 13.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $28,000
  • Unemployment: 6.5%
  • Population: 140,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 220/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 62°F

Housing

  • Median Home: $130,000
  • 1BR Rent: $500/mo

Cost of Living

Santa Tecla's cost of living index is 100 (El Salvador average = 100).

CategorySanta TeclaNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: DIGESTYC / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$130,000
Median Rent (1BR)$500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$625/mo
Price per Sq Ft$86

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 Santa Tecla:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$25Based on ~200 kWh/month typical Salvadoran household usage
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate. electric or gas heating
Cooling (AC)$1Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$10Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$30Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$8Private service
Total Utilities$74Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: SIGET, DELSUR, Tigo 2025

Best Neighborhoods

Downtown Santa Tecla

The heart of the city with restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Average rent: $600/mo.

Santa Tecla Heights

Trendy area with local businesses and a mix of historic and modern housing. Average rent: $550/mo.

East Santa Tecla

Up-and-coming neighborhood with new developments and young professionals. Average rent: $450/mo.

West Santa Tecla

Family-friendly area with parks and good schools. Average rent: $475/mo.

Remote Work Score

Santa Tecla scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
$500
Sunny Days
220
Tax
30%
Unemployment
6.5%
Climate
86°F / 62°F

Climate

Santa Tecla has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January82°F62°F2.5"
April71°F77°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F80°F2.2"

Taxes

  • Income Tax: 30%
  • VAT: 13%
  • Property Tax: ~1.2% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 6.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Santa Tecla 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

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 Santa Tecla, LI, El Salvador?

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

How much does it cost to buy a home in Santa Tecla?

The median home price in Santa Tecla is $130,000. The housing index is 115.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Tecla is approximately $500/mo.

Does Santa Tecla, LI have income tax?

Santa Tecla is in LI, which has an income tax rate of 30%.

What is the climate like in Santa Tecla?

Santa Tecla enjoys approximately 220 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 62°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: July 19, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.