Practical guide
Cost of Living in Asunción
What it costs to live in Asunción in 2026, from rent by barrio to a bus ride and a cold beer.
Is Asunción cheap? Depends on your barrio, your air conditioning and how often you say yes to dinner. Add up the prices that apply to you.
All prices are in guaraníes (₲). On October 2, 2026, the central bank's reference rate was ₲5,874 to the dollar, and the guaraní gained 10.48% on the dollar in 2026 through early August. If you earn in dollars, older blog prices will look cheaper than today's reality.
Rent: the biggest number
Rents below are asking prices from listings, collected in September and October 2026. They are not closed deals.
| Barrio | 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|
| Villa Morra | ₲4,500,000 to 6,000,000 | ₲6,500,000 to 9,000,000 |
| Carmelitas | ₲4,000,000 to 5,500,000 | ₲5,500,000 to 8,500,000 |
| Las Lomas | ₲4,000,000 to 6,500,000 | ₲6,500,000 to 10,000,000 |
| Recoleta | ₲3,000,000 to 6,500,000 | ₲4,500,000 to 6,500,000 |
| Las Mercedes | ₲2,800,000 to 4,000,000 | ₲4,000,000 to 6,000,000 |
| Mburucuyá | ₲2,500,000 to 3,500,000 | ₲3,500,000 to 5,500,000 |
| Trinidad | ₲2,000,000 to 2,800,000 | ₲2,800,000 to 4,000,000 |
Recoleta asks swing more than anywhere else on the list, building by building. Treat ₲3,000,000 as the floor for a one-bedroom, not the norm.
Furnished units ask roughly 15 to 25% more than the same unit empty. In towers with a pool and gym, building fees (expensas) add about ₲400,000 to 1,500,000 a month, unless the listing says they are included.
For every barrio and the tradeoffs, see where to live in Asunción.
Moving in
Moving in costs more than the first month. Plan on three to four months of rent up front: deposit, first month and agency commission (quoted as half to one month, plus IVA). One worked example: at ₲4,500,000 rent, that is about ₲16 to 17 million before you buy a single plate.
Our renting guide covers contracts, guarantees and scams.
Monthly bills for a one-bedroom
The tenant pays these unless the ad says included. Ranges for 2026, from Sweet Home Paraguay's cost-of-living breakdown:
- Electricity (ANDE): ₲70,000 to 110,000 in mild months. ₲210,000 to 380,000 in January with air conditioning running most of the day.
- Water (ESSAP): ₲60,000 to 150,000.
- Fiber internet: ₲100,000 to 260,000.
- Cooking gas, 10 kg canister: ₲60,000 to 85,000.
The summer electricity bill is the one that surprises people. Budget for it before December.
Getting around
- City bus: Gs. 2,300 a ride, or Gs. 3,400 on a differential bus, paid by card. A Más Tarjeta card is listed at Gs. 25,000, including one journey. See bus cards.
- Ride app: a Bolt from Recoleta to Carmelitas and back runs about ₲25,000 to 35,000. Prices rise when demand is high.
- Airport to the center: official taxi rank about ₲120,000 to 180,000; a Bolt to Villa Morra under ₲100,000 outside surge.
More in getting around Asunción.
Phone and data
- Tigo prepaid: 10 GB for 30 days, ₲63,000. Unlimited-data day packs from ₲10,000 a day.
- Tigo postpaid, once you have a Paraguayan cédula: from ₲95,000 a month for 30 GB.
Full pack list in our SIM card guide.
Eating out, gym and health
- Coffee and a beer: a cappuccino runs about ₲20,000, a draft beer about ₲13,000.
- Set lunch (menú ejecutivo): ₲35,000 to 95,000 on weekdays.
- Mid-range dinner for two: ₲200,000 to 360,000.
- Gym: ₲150,000 to 280,000 a month.
- Private health plan: from about ₲240,000 a month for basic cover, and ₲350,000 to 700,000 for an adult on a fuller plan.
Prices from Sweet Home Paraguay, updated September 29, 2026. For clinics and plans, see hospitals in Asunción.
Work and study
- Coworking: La Cofi, at Herrera 463, listed a shared desk at ₲100,000 a day, ₲350,000 a week or ₲750,000 a month (3 October 2026). See the coworking page for more options.
- Spanish lessons: at Fluido, 2026 prices are ₲1,800,000 for a week of morning group classes, ₲1,350,000 for a week of afternoon classes, and ₲300,000 an hour for private lessons. Other schools quote on request. See learn Spanish in Asunción.
Going out for free, or nearly
Plenty of the city costs nothing: the Costanera, the Jardín Botánico gardens, the free Club de Caminantes walks and most historic-center museums.
Small extras, as of September 26, 2026:
- Zoo at the Jardín Botánico: ₲11,000 adults.
- Bay boat loop on the Costanera, about 15 minutes: ₲20,000 adults.
- Museo del Barro, Tuesday to Thursday: ₲50,000. Free on Fridays and Saturdays.
Tax inside the price
Prices you see in shops already include IVA, Paraguay's value-added tax: 10% standard, 5% on a reduced list that includes basic foods and listed medicines. More in our tax guide.
FAQ
How much do monthly bills cost for a one-bedroom in Asunción?
Electricity, water, fiber internet and cooking gas add up to about ₲290,000 to 875,000 a month. The high end is January, when the air conditioning runs most of the day.
How much money do I need to move into an apartment?
Plan on three to four months of rent up front: deposit, first month and agency commission. At ₲4,500,000 rent, that is about ₲16 to 17 million.
Do shop prices in Paraguay include tax?
Yes. Shelf prices include IVA, at 10% standard or 5% on basic foods and listed medicines.
Prices change faster than guides do. Join Open Asu on WhatsApp and ask what people paid this month.