Cost of living in Quito (Ecuador) is 44% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States)
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Currency:
Food | - 38% | |||
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Food in Quito (Ecuador) is 38% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Quito | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $9 | $20 | - 54% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 | $10 | - 21% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.03 | $5.69 | - 29% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.23 | $0.87 | + 41% | |
12 eggs, large | $2.54 | $5.06 | - 50% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $1.49 | $3.62 | - 59% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.88 | $6 | - 3% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $1.72 | $4.50 | - 62% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.36 | $2.69 | - 49% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.93 | $2.02 | - 5% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 | $11 | + 28% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.28 | $3.08 | - 26% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $1.37 | $2.78 | - 51% | |
Housing | - 65% | |||
Housing in Quito (Ecuador) is 65% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Quito | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $839 | $2,413 | - 65% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $498 | $1,541 | - 68% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $48 | $228 | - 79% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $540 | $1,292 | - 58% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $346 | $919 | - 62% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $35 | $157 | - 78% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $22 | $72 | - 69% | |
40” flat screen tv | $423 | $295 | + 43% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $142 | $149 | - 5% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $7 | $15 | - 49% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $12 | $42 | - 71% | |
Clothes | + 30% | |||
Clothes in Quito (Ecuador) is 30% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Quito | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $68 | $50 | + 37% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 | $34 | + 44% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $103 | $96 | + 8% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $85 | $90 | - 6% | |
Transportation | - 44% | |||
Transportation in Quito (Ecuador) is 44% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Quito | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $24,785 | $32,100 | - 23% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.07 | $0.88 | + 21% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $27 | $65 | - 59% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $7 | $14 | - 46% | |
Personal Care | - 14% | |||
Personal Care in Quito (Ecuador) is 14% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Quito | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 | $10 | - 33% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $12 | $6 | + 87% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $42 | $94 | - 56% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $5.37 | $7 | - 21% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $6 | $4.88 | + 24% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 | $7 | + 7% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.62 | $3.48 | - 25% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.10 | $1.75 | + 20% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $13 | $23 | - 42% | |
Entertainment | - 25% | |||
Entertainment in Quito (Ecuador) is 25% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Quito | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $25 | $44 | - 42% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $13 | $24 | - 44% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $62 | $151 | - 59% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $49 | $72 | - 32% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $11 | $16 | - 31% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.18 | $5.09 | - 18% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $3.44 | $4.66 | - 26% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $652 | $451 | + 44% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.20 | $0.32 | - 37% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $58 | $42 | + 38% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $7 | $9 | - 24% | |
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TOTAL | - 44% |

These prices were last updated on March 19, 2025.
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Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $7,400 in Detroit, Michigan you would need to make just about $4,144 in Quito.
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