😐A single person spends $2,317 per month in Canada vs $1,568 in Puerto Rico, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,375 per month in Canada vs $2,391 in Puerto Rico, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,432 per month in Canada vs $3,214 in Puerto Rico, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Canada is about 48% higher than in Puerto Rico on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Canada and Puerto Rico are pricier than the global median – Canada by 74%, Puerto Rico by 18%.
📏Cost ranges are similar: Canada spans $1,332–$3,097, Puerto Rico $1,060–$2,431. City choice affects budget similarly in either country.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Canada
Puerto Rico
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.78CA$26.54
$15.24$15.24
23.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.5CA$105
$73.9$73.9
0.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.20CA$15.83
$8.92$8.92
25.56%
Cappuccino
$3.90CA$5.52
$3.21$3.21
21.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09CA$2.95
$1.60$1.60
30.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67CA$2.36
$1.28$1.28
30.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.99CA$8.47
$2.54$2.54
135.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.79CA$8.19
$4.11$4.11
40.88%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Canada
Puerto Rico
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.31CA$3.27
$2.08$2.08
11.06%
White Bread(500g)
$2.76CA$3.90
$3.16$3.16
-12.66%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.65CA$5.15
$2.30$2.30
58.70%
Eggs
$3.49CA$4.93
$4.98$4.98
-29.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.69CA$16.53
$9.81$9.81
19.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.34CA$17.45
$8.66$8.66
42.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.88CA$21.03
$11.52$11.52
29.17%
Apples(1kg)
$4.17CA$5.90
$5.26$5.26
-20.72%
Banana(1kg)
$1.49CA$2.10
$2.68$2.68
-44.40%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.79CA$5.35
$4.04$4.04
-6.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.09CA$5.78
$4.53$4.53
-9.71%
Potato(1kg)
$2.76CA$3.90
$3.20$3.20
-13.75%
Onion(1kg)
$2.64CA$3.74
$2.70$2.70
-2.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.52CA$3.56
$2.68$2.68
-5.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.88CA$2.66
$1.81$1.81
3.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.97CA$21.16
$10.81$10.81
38.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.64CA$17.87
$15.77$15.77
-19.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92CA$4.13
$2.34$2.34
24.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44CA$4.87
$3.43$3.43
0.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Canada
Puerto Rico
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.63CA$3.72
$1.71$1.71
53.80%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.4CA$109
$40.65$40.65
90.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.53CA$4.99
$5.95$5.95
-40.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.54CA$2.18
$0.98$0.98
57.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.17CA$39.81
$27.87$27.87
1.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15CA$1.63
$0.92$0.92
25.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5KCA$36.0K
$35.6K$35.6K
-28.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0KCA$29.7K
$27.4K$27.4K
-23.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Canada
Puerto Rico
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$157CA$222
$299$299
-47.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$45.75CA$64.7
$70.1$70.1
-34.75%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.0CA$87.6
$67.3$67.3
-7.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Canada
Puerto Rico
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.95CA$60.7
$33.87$33.87
26.81%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.96CA$25.38
$33.39$33.39
-46.21%
Cinema Ticket
$11.55CA$16.32
$9.07$9.07
27.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Canada
Puerto Rico
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$797CA$1,127
$434$434
83.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.3KCA$17.4K
$7,547$7,547
63.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Canada
Puerto Rico
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.2CA$78.1
$48.28$48.28
14.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.47CA$60.0
$46.20$46.20
-8.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.0CA$126
$87.1$87.1
2.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107CA$152
$98.6$98.6
8.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Canada
Puerto Rico
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,366CA$1,931
$811$811
68.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,183CA$1,673
$613$613
93.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,179CA$3,080
$1,606$1,606
35.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,892CA$2,675
$1,132$1,132
67.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,685CA$6,623
$5,454$5,454
-14.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,785CA$5,350
$2,436$2,436
55.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Canada
Puerto Rico
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,906CA$4,108
$2,687$2,687
8.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.33
5.62
12.63%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Canada: June 16, 2026
Last update for Puerto Rico: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,281 in Canada vs $429 in Puerto Rico. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,506 in Ottawa and $1,603 in San Juan.
💰Average salary: $2,936 in Canada vs $2,404 in Puerto Rico. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 199% higher in Canada.
⭐Public transport is 829% more expensive in Canada.
⭐Salaries are 22% higher in Canada, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Puerto Rico.
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
Canada vs Puerto Rico: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada more expensive than Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 27% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Canada, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Canada consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Puerto Rico, contributing to the overall 27% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Canada or in Puerto Rico?
$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Puerto Rico, but in Canada it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Canada or to Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.