Quick Answer
Asunción is one of the most affordable capital cities in the world. A single person lives comfortably on $750–$1,000/month, a couple on $1,100–$1,500, and a family of four on $1,800–$2,600 including rent. Rent is the biggest expense - a one-bedroom city-center apartment costs ~$450/month, roughly 70% cheaper than Lisbon and 75% cheaper than Madrid.
Monthly Budget Estimates
All figures in USD. Based on a comfortable but not luxury lifestyle in Asunción.
Single Person
$750–$1,000
per month including rent
- • Rent (1BR): $310–$450
- • Food & groceries: $200–$300
- • Utilities + internet: $95–$110
- • Transport: $30–$50
- • Leisure + misc: $100–$150
$1,100–$1,500
per month including rent
- • Rent (1BR): $310–$450
- • Food & groceries: $350–$450
- • Utilities + internet: $100–$120
- • Transport: $50–$70
- • Leisure + misc: $150–$250
Family of 4
$1,800–$2,600
per month including rent
- • Rent (3BR): $510–$830
- • Food & groceries: $500–$700
- • Utilities + internet: $110–$140
- • Transport: $70–$100
- • Leisure + misc: $150–$250
- • Int'l school (optional): +$640
Estimates based on Numbeo and Expatistan data for Asunción, April 2026. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and neighborhood.
Itemized Prices in Asunción (2026)
All prices in USD. Converted from Guaraní at ~7,800 PYG/USD.
Food & Dining
| Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $5.80 |
| Mid-range meal for 2 | $26 |
| McDonald's combo | $7 |
| Domestic beer (restaurant) | $1.50 |
| Imported beer (restaurant) | $2.60 |
| Cappuccino | $2.30 |
Groceries
| Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 liter) | $1.00 |
| Bread (500g) | $0.80 |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1.00 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.80 |
| Chicken fillets (1 kg) | $3.20 |
| Beef round (1 kg) | $5.80 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $1.50 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $0.90 |
| Water (1.5L) | $0.80 |
| Wine (mid-range bottle) | $4.50 |
Housing (Monthly Rent)
For furnished apartment prices, neighborhood-specific rents, and the full buying guide, see the housing & real estate guide.
| Type | City Center | Outside Center |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $450 | $310 |
| 3 bedrooms | $830 | $510 |
Utilities & Services (Monthly)
| Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Electricity (85m² apartment) | $58 |
| Mobile plan (10GB+ data) | $10 |
| Internet (60 Mbps) | $38 |
Transportation
| Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Bus (one-way) | $0.40 |
| Monthly pass | $32 |
| Taxi (1 km) | $0.90 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1.00 |
| Toyota Corolla (new) | $26,100 |
Leisure & Sports
| Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Fitness club (monthly) | $45 |
| Cinema ticket | $4.50 |
| Tennis court (1 hr, weekend) | $13 |
Childcare & Education
For school-by-school cost breakdowns and enrollment info, see the schools & education guide.
| Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Preschool / kindergarten (full day, monthly) | $154 |
| International primary school (annual) | $7,700 |
Clothing & Shoes
| Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | $26 |
| Summer dress (chain store) | $26 |
| Running shoes (Nike, mid-range) | $64 |
Asunción vs. Major Expat Destinations
How much more expensive each city is compared to Asunción. A value of +204% means that city costs roughly 3× as much as Asunción for that category.
| City | 1BR Rent | 3BR Rent | Utilities | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asunción (baseline) | $450 | $830 | $58 | - |
| Buenos Aires | +45% | +74% | - | Groceries +30–100% |
| Santiago | +13% | +55% | +240% | 1BR rent close to Asunción |
| Lisbon | +204% | +254% | +301% | Int'l school +188% |
| Madrid | +261% | +269% | +392% | Preschool +267% |
| Panama City | +158% | +218% | +206% | Int'l school +337% |
| Dubai | +336% | +443% | +417% | Beer +745–807% |
Percentage differences from Numbeo city comparison tool, April 2026. Rents shown for city-center apartments.
What's Cheap, What's Not
Significantly Cheaper Than Expected
- Electricity: ~$58/month for an 85m² apartment. Paraguay generates 99%+ hydroelectric power and has among the cheapest electricity in the world at ~5¢/kWh.
- Local food: Beef, chicken, fresh produce, and staple groceries are 50–70% cheaper than Western Europe. Paraguay is a major agricultural producer.
- Dining out: A full restaurant meal costs $5.80. Even mid-range dining for two is only $26.
- Domestic beer: $1.50 in a restaurant, $0.90 from a store. Craft beer is emerging but still very affordable.
- Public transport: Bus rides at $0.40 and a monthly pass at $32 make getting around nearly free.
- Mobile data: $10/month for 10GB+ - among the cheapest mobile plans in South America.
More Expensive Than Expected
- Imported goods: Electronics, branded clothing, and specialty imported items carry significant markups. A Toyota Corolla costs $26,100 - not cheap by global standards.
- Internet: $38/month for 60 Mbps is reasonable but speeds and reliability can vary by neighborhood.
- International schools: At $7,700/year, cheaper than other expat hubs but a major line item for families.
- Running shoes / branded sportswear: $64 for Nike running shoes - imported brands carry premiums.
- Local salaries: Average take-home pay is ~$461/month. The low cost of living is matched by low local wages - this matters if you plan to work locally.