πA single person spends $1,025 per month in Minas vs $1,632 in Montevideo, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,637 per month in Minas vs $2,480 in Montevideo, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,248 per month in Minas vs $3,329 in Montevideo, rent included.
πMinas is about 37% cheaper than Montevideo, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πMinas sits 23% below the global median, while Montevideo is 22% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Minas
Montevideo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.09UYUΒ 648
$15.85UYUΒ 638
1.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.7UYUΒ 2,201
$54.6UYUΒ 2,196
0.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.17UYUΒ 490
$12.12UYUΒ 488
0.41%
Cappuccino
$4.11UYUΒ 165
$4.23UYUΒ 170
-2.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.20UYUΒ 88.4
$2.19UYUΒ 88.1
0.46%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75UYUΒ 70.5
$1.69UYUΒ 68.2
3.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.28UYUΒ 172
$4.52UYUΒ 182
-5.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.62UYUΒ 146
$3.60UYUΒ 145
0.56%
π Groceries & Markets
Minas
Montevideo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.25UYUΒ 50.1
$1.27UYUΒ 51.2
-1.57%
White Bread(500g)
$2.85UYUΒ 115
$2.77UYUΒ 112
2.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.59UYUΒ 64.2
$1.58UYUΒ 63.8
0.63%
Eggs
$4.81UYUΒ 193
$4.79UYUΒ 193
0.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.58UYUΒ 547
$13.41UYUΒ 540
1.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.97UYUΒ 442
$10.67UYUΒ 429
2.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.19UYUΒ 450
$11.24UYUΒ 452
-0.44%
Apples(1kg)
$3.07UYUΒ 124
$3.00UYUΒ 121
2.33%
Banana(1kg)
$2.37UYUΒ 95.6
$2.43UYUΒ 97.9
-2.47%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57UYUΒ 63.3
$1.54UYUΒ 62.2
1.95%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.66UYUΒ 148
$3.66UYUΒ 148
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.09UYUΒ 84.1
$2.11UYUΒ 84.8
-0.95%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90UYUΒ 76.4
$1.89UYUΒ 75.9
0.53%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.33UYUΒ 53.5
$1.37UYUΒ 55.0
-2.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.72UYUΒ 69.3
$1.71UYUΒ 68.9
0.58%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.23UYUΒ 211
$5.10UYUΒ 205
2.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.96UYUΒ 401
$10.05UYUΒ 404
-0.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.30UYUΒ 92.6
$2.36UYUΒ 94.9
-2.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94UYUΒ 118
$2.92UYUΒ 118
0.68%
π Getting Around
Minas
Montevideo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$1.29UYUΒ 52.0
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$55.8UYUΒ 2,247
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.55UYUΒ 62.6
$1.60UYUΒ 64.2
-3.13%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.46UYUΒ 139
$3.63UYUΒ 146
-4.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.36UYUΒ 498
$12.43UYUΒ 500
-0.56%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.82UYUΒ 73.4
$1.81UYUΒ 72.9
0.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8KUYUΒ 1.4M
$34.5KUYUΒ 1.4M
0.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.7KUYUΒ 1.5M
$36.0KUYUΒ 1.4M
2.11%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Minas
Montevideo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169UYUΒ 6,820
$170UYUΒ 6,861
-0.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.49UYUΒ 664
$16.51UYUΒ 665
-0.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.76UYUΒ 2,003
$49.77UYUΒ 2,004
-0.02%
π Sport & Entertainment
Minas
Montevideo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$61.8UYUΒ 2,488
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.67UYUΒ 711
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.56UYUΒ 425
$10.45UYUΒ 421
1.05%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Minas
Montevideo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$487UYUΒ 19.6K
$482UYUΒ 19.4K
1.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,082UYUΒ 365.6K
$8,873UYUΒ 357.2K
2.36%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Minas
Montevideo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$92.8UYUΒ 3,734
$94.9UYUΒ 3,819
-2.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.58UYUΒ 1,915
$47.22UYUΒ 1,901
0.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116UYUΒ 4,668
$112UYUΒ 4,500
3.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121UYUΒ 4,876
$123UYUΒ 4,962
-1.74%
π Accommodation & Living
Minas
Montevideo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$628UYUΒ 25.3K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$492UYUΒ 19.8K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,112UYUΒ 44.8K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$801UYUΒ 32.2K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,582UYUΒ 144.2K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,272UYUΒ 91.5K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Minas
Montevideo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,334UYUΒ 53.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.68
5.68
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Minas: May 31, 2026
Last update for Montevideo: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $55.0 in Minas versus $55.0 in Montevideo. Groceries tell a different story β $323 in Minas vs $321 in Montevideo β so Montevideo wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Minas vs Montevideo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Minas and Montevideo compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,025 in Minas, $1,632 in Montevideo β roughly 59% apart. Montevideo costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Minas compared to Montevideo?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,538 per month in Minas and $2,448 in Montevideo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Minas or Montevideo?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,025 in Minas and $1,632 in Montevideo. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Minas and Montevideo?
Kindergarten costs $487 per month in Minas and $482 in Montevideo. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Minas, where all-in costs run around $1,025, than in Montevideo at $1,632. In Minas it covers expenses comfortably, while in Montevideo it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Minas and Montevideo?
It depends on your priorities. Montevideo has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,025 in Minas to $1,632 in Montevideo. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Minas or Montevideo safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Minas and Montevideo?
If budget matters most, go with Minas. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Montevideo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.