Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Montevideo and Bloomington, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Montevideo: $1,771 a month against $2,280 in Bloomington, IL, rent and utilities included – about $6,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Montevideo, Uruguay
Bloomington, IL, United States
Montevideo
🇺🇾 Uruguay
$1,771
/mo nomad
Bloomington, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,280
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Montevideo and in Bloomington, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Montevideo and in Bloomington, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,771 per month in Montevideo vs $2,280 in Bloomington, IL, rent included.

  • Montevideo $1,771
  • Bloomington, IL $2,280

A couple spends around $2,784 per month in Montevideo vs $3,272 in Bloomington, IL, rent included.

  • Montevideo $2,784
  • Bloomington, IL $3,272

A family of three spends $3,797 per month in Montevideo vs $4,264 in Bloomington, IL, rent included.

  • Montevideo $3,797
  • Bloomington, IL $4,264

Montevideo is about 22% cheaper than Bloomington, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both Montevideo and Bloomington, IL sit above the global median – Montevideo by 30%, Bloomington, IL by 68%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montevideo
Bloomington, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.63 UYU 628
$18.17 $18.17
-13.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.9 UYU 2,811
$78.3 $78.3
-10.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.51 UYU 583
$12.20 $12.20
18.93%
Cappuccino
$4.43 UYU 178
$4.98 $4.98
-11.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 UYU 100
$2.36 $2.36
5.51%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 UYU 78.4
$1.68 $1.68
16.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.78 UYU 192
$5.60 $5.60
-14.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 UYU 148
$6.89 $6.89
-46.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montevideo
Bloomington, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 UYU 50.6
$1.09 $1.09
15.60%
White Bread (500g)
$2.98 UYU 120
$2.44 $2.44
22.13%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.74 UYU 70.0
$4.35 $4.35
-60.00%
Eggs
$4.80 UYU 193
$3.62 $3.62
32.60%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.06 UYU 565
$13.14 $13.14
7.00%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.35 UYU 456
$7.86 $7.86
44.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.16 UYU 489
$17.51 $17.51
-30.55%
Apples (1kg)
$2.74 UYU 110
$3.68 $3.68
-25.54%
Banana (1kg)
$2.83 UYU 114
$1.59 $1.59
77.99%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.63 UYU 65.4
$5.45 $5.45
-70.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.18 UYU 128
$3.47 $3.47
-8.36%
Potato (1kg)
$2.02 UYU 81.1
$3.41 $3.41
-40.76%
Onion (1kg)
$2.13 UYU 85.5
$2.75 $2.75
-22.55%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.39 UYU 55.9
$2.68 $2.68
-48.13%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.94 UYU 78.2
$2.71 $2.71
-28.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.34 UYU 215
$8.07 $8.07
-33.83%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.31 UYU 334
$15.21 $15.21
-45.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 UYU 94.3
$2.01 $2.01
16.92%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.80 UYU 113
$3.23 $3.23
-13.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Montevideo
Bloomington, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.55 UYU 62.4
$1.27 $1.27
22.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.9 UYU 3,011
$40.17 $40.17
86.53%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.91 UYU 76.8
$3.42 $3.42
-44.15%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.41 UYU 16.54
$1.53 $1.53
-73.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.38 UYU 417
$39.42 $39.42
-73.67%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.23 UYU 89.5
$1.02 $1.02
118.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.5K UYU 1.1M
$27.7K $27.7K
-4.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.9K UYU 1.4M
$25.8K $25.8K
38.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montevideo
Bloomington, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$184 UYU 7,388
$203 $203
-9.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.15 UYU 810
$70.9 $70.9
-71.59%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$43.24 UYU 1,738
$75.5 $75.5
-42.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montevideo
Bloomington, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$48.47 UYU 1,948
$44.79 $44.79
8.22%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.71 UYU 792
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.11 UYU 487
$9.83 $9.83
23.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montevideo
Bloomington, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$636 UYU 25.6K
$1,429 $1,429
-55.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.0K UYU 441.9K
$24.1K $24.1K
-54.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montevideo
Bloomington, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101 UYU 4,048
$58.3 $58.3
72.67%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.9 UYU 2,288
$39.48 $39.48
44.20%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$123 UYU 4,934
$83.8 $83.8
46.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$130 UYU 5,238
$118 $118
10.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montevideo
Bloomington, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$747 UYU 30.0K
$905 $905
-17.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$581 UYU 23.3K
$1,004 $1,004
-42.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,284 UYU 51.6K
$1,456 $1,456
-11.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,125 UYU 45.2K
$1,461 $1,461
-23.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,653 UYU 146.8K
$1,572 $1,572
132.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,029 UYU 81.5K
$1,257 $1,257
61.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montevideo
Bloomington, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,284 UYU 51.6K
$4,622 $4,622
-72.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.65
6.72
-15.92%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Montevideo: October 27, 2026

Last update for Bloomington, IL: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Montevideo
$581
Bloomington, IL
$1K 72.9% $423
Groceries & Markets
Montevideo
$330
Bloomington, IL
$371 12.5% $41
Eating Out
Montevideo
$271
Bloomington, IL
$300 10.7% $29
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montevideo
$247
Bloomington, IL
$350 41.5% $103
Clothing & Footwear
Montevideo
$185
Bloomington, IL
$135 27.2% $50
Getting Around
Montevideo
$85
Bloomington, IL
$56 33.8% $29
Sport & Entertainment
Montevideo
$73
Bloomington, IL
$64 11.3% $8.2

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $747 in Montevideo versus $905 in Bloomington, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Bloomington, IL are about 3.6 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $70 in Montevideo versus $78 in Bloomington, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $330 vs $371 – making Montevideo the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇾 Montevideo
🇺🇸 Bloomington, IL
🕒 Local time
05:00 5:00 AM
02:00 2:00 AM
3 h behind Montevideo
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,319,108 Capital
69,247
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to UYU – Uruguayan Peso Converter

Uruguayan Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 40.19 UYU (100 UYU = 2.49 USD). 1 EUR = 44.85 UYU (100 UYU = 2.23 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Montevideo Bloomington, IL 9,030 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Montevideo
  • Bloomington, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Montevideo vs Bloomington, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montevideo or Bloomington, IL?
Bloomington, IL costs about 29% more than Montevideo, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from utilities. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Montevideo and in Bloomington, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,657 per month in Montevideo and $3,421 in Bloomington, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Montevideo or Bloomington, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Montevideo, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $747 there versus $905 in Bloomington, IL.
How do childcare costs compare in Montevideo and in Bloomington, IL?
Kindergarten costs $636 per month in Montevideo and $1,429 in Bloomington, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Montevideo or in Bloomington, IL?
Groceries cost about 12% more in Bloomington, IL, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Montevideo – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Montevideo compared to Bloomington, IL?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Montevideo or to Bloomington, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Montevideo. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bloomington, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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