Cost of living in Nicaragua in 2026: official data
Instead of forum guesses, these are the latest official figures we found.
Basic basket (INIDE, July 2026)
The 53-item basic basket cost C$21,474.94 (about US$586) in July 2026, 4.5% more than in July 2025. Food accounts for C$15,424.61 of that.
Minimum wages (March 2026 – February 2027)
| Sector | C$ per month | ≈ US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture (wage plus food) | 6,188 | 169 |
| Micro and small craft and tourism industry | 6,520 | 178 |
| Central and municipal government | 7,717 | 211 |
| Manufacturing | 8,320 | 227 |
| Community, social and personal services | 8,675 | 237 |
| Fishing | 9,409 | 257 |
| Free-trade zones | 9,986 | 273 |
| Mining and quarrying | 11,113 | 303 |
| Retail, restaurants, hotels, transport, utilities | 11,350 | 310 |
| Construction, finance and insurance | 13,848 | 378 |
Fuel in Managua (3 November 2026)
| Product | C$/litro | ≈ US$/galón |
|---|---|---|
| Super petrol | 49.00 | 5.06 |
| Regular petrol | 47.82 | 4.94 |
| Diesel | 43.22 | 4.47 |
According to INE, prices have been held at their April 2022 level and have not changed in 2026.
Electricity (residential tariff from October 2026)
Energy is billed in blocks: C$2.48 per kWh for the first 25 kWh, rising to C$15.18 per kWh above 1,000 kWh, plus a fixed charge. Households using up to 150 kWh a month get a subsidized tariff. Air conditioning can push use into the most expensive blocks.
Currency
The official exchange rate has been fixed at C$36.6243 per US dollar since 1 January 2024 and stays there for all of 2026. VAT is 15%.
Sources: INIDE, basic basket, July 2026; MITRAB Ministerial Agreement 02-2026, minimum wages (La Gaceta No. 43); INE fuel price monitoring, 3 Nov 2026; INE low-voltage tariff sheet, October 2026; BCN, 2026 official exchange rate.
Reviewed: 13 Nov 2026