🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,184 in Aguada versus $1,296 in Luquillo.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,212 in Aguada versus $2,074 in Luquillo.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,240 in Aguada versus $2,852 in Luquillo.
🌍Living in Aguada costs roughly 9% less than in Luquillo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Aguada14% lower, Luquillo5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Aguada
Luquillo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.09$11.09
$17.84$17.84
-37.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$81.8$81.8
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.21$12.21
$8.96$8.96
36.27%
Cappuccino
$1.94$1.94
$3.47$3.47
-44.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02$2.02
$1.59$1.59
27.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.01$1.01
$1.33$1.33
-24.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.46$1.46
$3.04$3.04
-51.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04$3.04
$2.23$2.23
36.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Aguada
Luquillo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.80$1.80
$2.29$2.29
-21.40%
White Bread(500g)
$2.43$2.43
$3.22$3.22
-24.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$2.34$2.34
-
Eggs
$4.32$4.32
$6.90$6.90
-37.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$12.34$12.34
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$8.53$8.53
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$13.15$13.15
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$5.17$5.17
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$2.55$2.55
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$5.00$5.00
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$4.75$4.75
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$3.72$3.72
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$2.69$2.69
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.43$1.43
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.59$1.59
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$11.94$11.94
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$11.84$11.84
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$3.07$3.07
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.06$4.06
-
🚌 Getting Around
Aguada
Luquillo
Difference
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$59.6$59.6
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$2.46$2.46
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.48$1.48
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$41.98$41.98
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86$0.86
$0.79$0.79
8.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$40.6K$40.6K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$27.8K$27.8K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Aguada
Luquillo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$252$252
$245$245
2.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.3$59.3
$76.4$76.4
-22.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$71.0$71.0
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Aguada
Luquillo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.8$54.8
$37.34$37.34
46.65%
Cinema Ticket
$5.85$5.85
$10.66$10.66
-45.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Aguada
Luquillo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$504$504
$871$871
-42.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$12.9K$12.9K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Aguada
Luquillo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.58$34.58
$57.2$57.2
-39.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.28$40.28
$62.0$62.0
-35.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$80.1$80.1
$82.4$82.4
-2.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$100.0$100.0
$116$116
-13.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Aguada
Luquillo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$508$508
$803$803
-36.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$449$449
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Aguada
Luquillo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,221$2,221
$3,020$3,020
-26.47%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
4.73
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Aguada: August 16, 2026
Last update for Luquillo: August 16, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $508 in Aguada and $803 in Luquillo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Luquillo pays 36% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Aguada vs Luquillo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Aguada and in Luquillo?
Aguada and Luquillo differ by about 9% in total monthly costs ($1,184 vs $1,296 including rent). Aguada is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 36% lower in Luquillo. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Aguada and in Luquillo?
Rent for a central apartment: $508 in Aguada versus $803 in Luquillo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Aguada and Luquillo?
Childcare runs $504 in Aguada versus $871 in Luquillo. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more expensive overall: Aguada or Luquillo?
All in, you'll spend $1,184 per month in Aguada versus $1,296 in Luquillo – a 9% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,184 in Aguada versus $1,296 in Luquillo, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Aguada but tight or insufficient in Luquillo. The gap between the two cities makes Aguada the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Aguada and Luquillo?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Aguada or Luquillo safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Aguada and Luquillo are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Aguada or Luquillo?
Expats usually find Aguada gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% less than in Luquillo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.