Cost of Living in Paraguay
How much does it cost to live in Paraguay in 2026? Real prices for rent, food, utilities, healthcare and transport, plus a full monthly budget for Asunción.
Contents
Paraguay is consistently one of the most affordable countries in South America, and that single fact is what brings most people here. But "cheap" is not a number you can plan a move around. This guide gives you the real one: what a month actually costs, line by line, based on 2026 prices in and around Asunción.
All figures are in US dollars, converted from Paraguayan guaraníes (PYG) at an approximate 2026 rate. Treat them as realistic ballparks, not fixed quotes.
Quick answer: monthly budget for Asunción
| Expense | Single person | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1 to 2 bedroom, good area) | 350 – 550 | 450 – 700 |
| Utilities (power, water, internet) | 70 – 110 | 90 – 140 |
| Groceries | 200 – 300 | 350 – 500 |
| Eating out & coffee | 100 – 200 | 180 – 350 |
| Transport | 40 – 120 | 60 – 180 |
| Health insurance (private) | 40 – 90 | 80 – 180 |
| Total (comfortable) | ~1,000 – 1,500 | ~1,600 – 2,500 |
You can live on less, especially outside the capital, and far more if you want a high-end apartment and a car. But the numbers above reflect a comfortable, middle-class life in the city.
Rent: your biggest lever
Housing is the single biggest line in any budget, and Paraguay is where you feel the difference most. A modern one-bedroom apartment in a good Asunción neighborhood typically runs 350 to 500 USD per month; a two-bedroom in a building with a pool and gym sits around 500 to 750 USD. Prices are highest in Villa Morra and Las Mercedes, and drop as you move out toward Luque or Lambaré.
Food: cheap if you eat local
A full grocery run at a supermarket costs noticeably less than in Europe or the US, and street and neighborhood restaurants are cheaper still. A generous lunch at a local spot is 4 to 7 USD; a nice dinner out for two with drinks rarely passes 35 USD. Imported and specialty products are the exception and can cost as much as back home.
Utilities, transport and healthcare
Electricity is cheap (Paraguay runs on its own hydroelectric power), water is minimal, and fiber internet runs 25 to 40 USD per month. Public transport is inexpensive; many foreigners use ride apps, which stay affordable. Private health insurance is accessible, and out-of-pocket medical care is a fraction of US prices.
How Paraguay compares
The headline is simple: Paraguay is cheaper than most of its neighbors and far cheaper than North America or Western Europe. The detailed comparisons below break it down country by country.
Compare and go deeper
Paraguay vs Argentina: Cost of Living Compared
Rent, food, salaries and stability, side by side.
How Much You Need Per Month to Live in Asunción
A realistic single and couple budget, broken down.
Paraguay vs Brazil: Cost of Living Compared
Rent, food, taxes and lifestyle, side by side.
Paraguay vs USA: Cost of Living Compared
How far your dollars go, line by line.
Is Paraguay Cheap to Live In?
The honest answer, with the numbers behind it.
Rent Prices in Asunción
What apartments really cost, by neighborhood.
Healthcare Cost in Paraguay
Private insurance, clinics and real prices for expats.
Internet and Mobile Cost in Paraguay
Fiber plans, SIM cards and real prices for a new arrival.
Grocery and Food Prices in Paraguay
What food really costs, from Mercado 4 to the supermarket.
Average Salary in Paraguay
What people earn, and why it matters for your budget.