San Salvador, El Salvador Capital City.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Official figures show that rising food costs continue to strain Salvadoran households, with the basic food basket remaining a significant burden despite modest year-over-year price increase.
As of October 2025, according to government data, El Salvador’s basic food basket cost for urban families stands at $250.75, while rural families pay $190.11.
The urban basket is $60.64 or 24.2% more expensive than its rural counterpart, based on average family sizes of 3.73 members in urban areas and 4.26 members in rural zones.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Change 2024-2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 199.24 | 213.43 | 245.02 | 256.74 | 246.64 | -10.10 (-3.9%) |
| February | 200.41 | 215.45 | 249.70 | 256.82 | 247.61 | -9.21 (-3.6%) |
| March | 201.31 | 220.95 | 249.09 | 254.79 | 245.89 | -8.90 (-3.5%) |
| April | 200.13 | 223.86 | 247.79 | 255.21 | 247.27 | -7.94 (-3.1%) |
| May | 201.04 | 227.39 | 247.87 | 256.56 | 248.22 | -8.34 (-3.3%) |
| June | 203.72 | 235.47 | 250.77 | 262.17 | 253.06 | -9.11 (-3.5%) |
| July | 202.70 | 238.71 | 255.36 | 264.92 | 255.06 | -9.86 (-3.7%) |
| August | 204.75 | 238.95 | 255.19 | 259.97 | 250.79 | -9.18 (-3.5%) |
| September | 205.43 | 237.89 | 257.61 | 249.26 | 250.71 | 1.45 (0.6%) |
| October | 212.55 | 239.87 | 257.81 | 245.74 | 250.75 | 5.01 (2.0%) |
| November | 214.14 | 240.64 | 255.60 | 244.28 | ||
| December | 211.81 | 240.37 | 257.06 | 246.06 |
According to the National Office of Statistics and Census (ONEC), the basic food basket (CBA) dropped slightly in October, by three cents in urban areas and $0.83 in rural areas.
ONEC, part of the Central Reserve Bank (BCR), reported that the urban CBA reached $250.74 in October, down from $250.71 in September.
Rural areas saw a more notable decline, with the CBA falling to $190.10. This offers modest relief after September registered the highest rural cost since October 2023.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Change 2024-2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 141.68 | 157.13 | 185.26 | 185.12 | 179.97 | -5.15 (-2.8%) |
| February | 143.67 | 156.50 | 187.08 | 185.17 | 181.05 | -4.12 (-2.2%) |
| March | 144.71 | 158.33 | 188.73 | 183.02 | 178.13 | -4.89 (-2.7%) |
| April | 143.77 | 163.93 | 190.10 | 180.70 | 178.76 | -1.94 (-1.1%) |
| May | 145.09 | 163.36 | 188.84 | 179.08 | 179.75 | 0.67 (0.4%) |
| June | 146.31 | 173.74 | 188.89 | 179.23 | 184.57 | 5.34 (3.0%) |
| July | 145.34 | 178.07 | 193.98 | 180.34 | 190.80 | 10.46 (5.8%) |
| August | 148.09 | 179.47 | 189.02 | 177.31 | 189.40 | 12.09 (6.8%) |
| September | 147.12 | 173.97 | 192.27 | 176.21 | 190.94 | 14.73 (8.4%) |
| October | 153.55 | 183.36 | 193.48 | 175.34 | ||
| November | 153.20 | 183.47 | 189.39 | 175.22 | ||
| December | 151.88 | 181.54 | 186.08 | 179.00 |
Basic Food Basket Under the Bukele Administration
Prices remain significantly higher than at the start of President Nayib Bukele’s administration.
Since June 2019, the cost of the urban basket has risen 23.9%, from $202.37 to $250.75, an increase of $48.38.
In rural areas, the basket price has climbed 31.6%, from $144.43 to $190.11, a $46.68 increase.
El Salvador’s Basic Food Basket
El Salvador’s Basic Food Basket matters because it reflects the minimum cost of essential foods Salvadorans need to survive. When the basket becomes more expensive, families feel the impact immediately in their daily meals.
For minimum-wage workers, even small increases strain already limited budgets. A rise of just a dollar can force trade-offs between food, transportation, or school expenses for their children.
Those living in poverty are hit the hardest. Many already spend more than half their income on food, leaving little room for unexpected price changes or economic shocks.
Tracking the food basket is crucial for understanding real living conditions. It shows whether salaries keep pace with basic needs and highlights the gap between official wages and the actual cost of survival.
The persistent rise in essential food prices highlights the ongoing economic challenges faced by Salvadorans, even as the country records historic lows in violence and homicides.
With low wages and the rising cost of living, concerns about economic stability have become the primary issue for many households, particularly among those living in poverty.
