San Salvador. Image by In 2025, the cost of El Salvador’s basic food basket is $247.61 for urban families and $181.05 for those in rural areas. The urban basket is $66.56, or 26.9%, more expensive than the rural one.
These costs are based on family sizes of 3.73 members in urban areas and 4.26 in rural areas, covering essentials like bread, tortillas, rice, meats, eggs, milk, beans, fruits, and vegetables.
Salvadoran Basic Food Basket Cost in Urban Areas
As of February 2025, the cost of the basic food basket in urban areas stands at $247.61—$9.21 less than in February 2024, reflecting a 3.6% decrease over the year.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Change 2024-2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 200.96 | 200.41 | 199.24 | 213.43 | 245.02 | 256.74 | 246.64 | -10.10 (-3.9%) |
| February | 200.58 | 199.24 | 200.41 | 215.45 | 249.70 | 256.82 | 247.61 | -9.21 (-3.6%) |
| March | 200.19 | 198.90 | 201.31 | 220.95 | 249.09 | 254.79 | ||
| April | 200.53 | 201.26 | 200.13 | 223.86 | 247.79 | 255.21 | ||
| May | 199.84 | 209.83 | 201.04 | 227.39 | 247.87 | 256.56 | ||
| June | 202.37 | 211.44 | 203.72 | 235.47 | 250.77 | 262.17 | ||
| July | 200.68 | 209.33 | 202.70 | 238.71 | 255.36 | 264.92 | ||
| August | 199.49 | 203.72 | 204.75 | 238.95 | 255.19 | 259.97 | ||
| September | 198.54 | 200.65 | 205.43 | 237.89 | 257.61 | 249.26 | ||
| October | 198.14 | 197.69 | 212.55 | 239.87 | 257.81 | 245.74 | ||
| November | 199.63 | 200.54 | 214.14 | 240.64 | 255.60 | 244.28 | ||
| December | 199.30 | 198.14 | 211.81 | 240.37 | 257.06 | 246.06 |
Year to date, in the urban sector, fruits (9.2%), milk (3.4%), and beans (3.2%) have experienced the most extensive percentage increase.
The milk category includes processed and raw milk, while fruits encompass oranges, plantains, and bananas.
The food basket cost in the urban sector has increased by 22.4% since the Bukele administration began; it went from $202.37 in June 2019 to $247.61 in February 2025, an increment of $45.24.
Salvadoran Basic Food Basket Cost in Rural Areas
The rural sector is also affected by the rising cost of living. However, the increase has been lower than in urban areas.
As of February 2025, the basic food basket in rural zones costs $181.05, a decrease of $4.12, or 2.2%, from February 2024.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Change 2024-2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 144.91 | 145.40 | 141.68 | 157.13 | 185.26 | 185.12 | 179.97 | -5.15 (-2.8%) |
| February | 143.40 | 145.86 | 143.67 | 156.50 | 187.08 | 185.17 | 181.05 | -4.12 (-2.2%) |
| March | 145.57 | 145.90 | 144.71 | 158.33 | 188.73 | 183.02 | ||
| April | 144.04 | 141.96 | 143.77 | 163.93 | 190.10 | 180.70 | ||
| May | 145.78 | 146.96 | 145.09 | 163.36 | 188.84 | 179.08 | ||
| June | 144.43 | 151.81 | 146.31 | 173.74 | 188.89 | 179.23 | ||
| July | 144.14 | 146.62 | 145.34 | 178.07 | 193.98 | 180.34 | ||
| August | 145.35 | 145.04 | 148.09 | 179.47 | 189.02 | 177.31 | ||
| September | 144.90 | 142.82 | 147.12 | 173.97 | 192.27 | -176.21 | ||
| October | 145.96 | 138.76 | 153.55 | 183.36 | 193.48 | 175.34 | ||
| November | 144.07 | 146.65 | 153.20 | 183.47 | 189.39 | 175.22 | ||
| December | 141.23 | 141.63 | 151.88 | 181.54 | 186.08 | 179.00 |
So far this year, in rural areas, fruits (9.6%), milk (3.4%), and beans (3.1%) have experienced the highest percentage increases.
The milk category includes processed and raw milk, while fruits include oranges, plantains, and bananas.
In rural areas, the food basket cost has increased by 25.4% since the Bukele administration started; it went from $144.43 in June 2019 to $181.05 in February 2025, an increment of $36.62.
SEE ALSO: Salvadoran Central Reserve Bank (BCR) Projected Economic Growth for 2025
The cost of El Salvador’s Basic Food Basket reflects the ongoing economic challenges faced by families. With rising prices impacting daily life, it underscores the need for continued attention to food security and economic policies in the country.
With record lows in violence and homicides, Salvadorans are primarily worried about the country’s economy. as the cost of essential food items are getting more expensive.
Add to the mix the low wages, and you will see why this is the primary concern for most Salvadorans, especially those living in poverty.
