Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Montevideo and Emporia, KS

For one person, living is cheaper in Emporia, KS: $1,558 a month against $1,784 in Montevideo, rent and utilities included – about $2,700 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Montevideo
🇺🇾 Uruguay
$1,784
/mo nomad
Emporia, KS
🇺🇸 United States
$1,558
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Montevideo and in Emporia, KS

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 Emporia, KS actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,784 per month in Montevideo vs $1,558 in Emporia, KS, rent included.

  • Montevideo $1,784
  • Emporia, KS $1,558

A couple spends around $2,756 per month in Montevideo vs $2,497 in Emporia, KS, rent included.

  • Montevideo $2,756
  • Emporia, KS $2,497

A family of three spends $3,728 per month in Montevideo vs $3,435 in Emporia, KS, rent included.

  • Montevideo $3,728
  • Emporia, KS $3,435

Montevideo costs about 15% more than Emporia, KS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Montevideo and Emporia, KS sit above the global median – Montevideo by 32%, Emporia, KS by 15%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montevideo
Emporia, KS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.82 UYU 595
$15.83 $15.83
-6.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.7 UYU 2,797
$75.6 $75.6
-7.85%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.68 UYU 589
$11.90 $11.90
23.36%
Cappuccino
$4.65 UYU 186
$4.45 $4.45
4.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74 UYU 110
$2.33 $2.33
17.60%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07 UYU 82.9
$1.69 $1.69
22.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.79 UYU 192
$5.05 $5.05
-5.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63 UYU 146
$6.06 $6.06
-40.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montevideo
Emporia, KS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.39 UYU 55.8
$0.88 $0.88
57.95%
White Bread (500g)
$2.89 UYU 116
$3.30 $3.30
-12.42%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.70 UYU 68.1
$1.92 $1.92
-11.46%
Eggs
$4.62 UYU 185
$2.85 $2.85
62.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.22 UYU 571
$8.30 $8.30
71.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.62 UYU 466
$8.45 $8.45
37.51%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.23 UYU 491
$14.40 $14.40
-15.07%
Apples (1kg)
$2.77 UYU 111
$4.99 $4.99
-44.49%
Banana (1kg)
$2.85 UYU 114
$1.20 $1.20
137.50%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.81 UYU 72.5
$2.84 $2.84
-36.27%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.20 UYU 129
$2.79 $2.79
14.70%
Potato (1kg)
$1.94 UYU 77.8
$1.64 $1.64
18.29%
Onion (1kg)
$2.16 UYU 86.5
$2.76 $2.76
-21.74%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.43 UYU 57.3
$1.88 $1.88
-23.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.94 UYU 77.9
$2.32 $2.32
-16.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.47 UYU 219
$9.13 $9.13
-40.09%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.95 UYU 359
$9.49 $9.49
-5.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 UYU 90.8
$1.84 $1.84
22.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81 UYU 113
$2.57 $2.57
9.34%
🚌 Getting Around
Montevideo
Emporia, KS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.56 UYU 62.6
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.8 UYU 2,962
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.90 UYU 76.2
$4.91 $4.91
-61.30%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.43 UYU 17.36
$1.82 $1.82
-76.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.59 UYU 425
$34.41 $34.41
-69.22%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.12 UYU 85.2
$0.89 $0.89
138.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K UYU 1.1M
$27.5K $27.5K
-2.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.0K UYU 1.5M
$25.8K $25.8K
43.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montevideo
Emporia, KS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$193 UYU 7,727
$144 $144
33.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.91 UYU 839
$46.93 $46.93
-55.44%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$44.89 UYU 1,802
$49.14 $49.14
-8.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montevideo
Emporia, KS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$50.8 UYU 2,038
$44.39 $44.39
14.37%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.73 UYU 792
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.30 UYU 494
$12.43 $12.43
-1.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montevideo
Emporia, KS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$629 UYU 25.2K
$824 $824
-23.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.9K UYU 437.3K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montevideo
Emporia, KS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 UYU 4,166
$48.75 $48.75
112.90%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.4 UYU 2,305
$25.34 $25.34
126.68%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$125 UYU 5,010
$89.5 $89.5
39.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$132 UYU 5,315
$83.4 $83.4
58.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montevideo
Emporia, KS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$713 UYU 28.6K
$685 $685
4.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$575 UYU 23.1K
$546 $546
5.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,164 UYU 46.7K
$1,752 $1,752
-33.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,033 UYU 41.5K
$1,108 $1,108
-6.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,418 UYU 137.2K
$1,251 $1,251
173.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,760 UYU 70.6K
$1,246 $1,246
41.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montevideo
Emporia, KS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,244 UYU 49.9K
$5,551 $5,551
-77.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.74
6.37
-9.89%

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

Last update for Montevideo: October 19, 2026

Last update for Emporia, KS: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Montevideo
$575
Emporia, KS
$546 5.2% $30
Groceries & Markets
Montevideo
$334
Emporia, KS
$308 7.7% $26
Eating Out
Montevideo
$269
Emporia, KS
$269 0.1% $0.4
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montevideo
$258
Emporia, KS
$240 6.9% $18
Clothing & Footwear
Montevideo
$188
Emporia, KS
$111 41% $77
Getting Around
Montevideo
$84
Emporia, KS
$14 * 83.3% $70
Sport & Entertainment
Montevideo
$75
Emporia, KS
$69 8.1% $6.1

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $713 in Montevideo versus $685 in Emporia, KS. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 346% higher in Emporia, KS, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $70.0 in Montevideo versus $76.0 in Emporia, KS. Groceries tell a different story – $334 in Montevideo vs $308 in Emporia, KS – so Emporia, KS wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇺🇾 Montevideo
🇺🇸 Emporia, KS
🕒 Local time
08:42 8:42 AM
06:42 6:42 AM
2 h behind Montevideo
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,319,108 Capital
26,188
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to UYU – Uruguayan Peso Converter

Uruguayan Peso exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 40.14 UYU (100 UYU = 2.49 USD). 1 EUR = 45.12 UYU (100 UYU = 2.22 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Montevideo Emporia, KS 9,130 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Montevideo
  • Emporia, KS

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 Emporia, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montevideo or Emporia, KS?
Montevideo costs about 15% more than Emporia, KS, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from clothing. 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 Emporia, KS?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,676 per month in Montevideo and $2,337 in Emporia, KS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Montevideo or Emporia, KS?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Emporia, KS, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Montevideo and in Emporia, KS?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $70.0 in Montevideo and $76.0 in Emporia, KS. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Montevideo or in Emporia, KS?
Groceries cost about 8% more in Montevideo, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Montevideo or in Emporia, KS?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Emporia, KS, where all-in costs run around $1,558, than in Montevideo at $1,784. In Emporia, KS it covers expenses comfortably, while in Montevideo it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Montevideo or Emporia, KS?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Emporia, KS costs $1,558 versus $1,784 in Montevideo. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Montevideo compared to Emporia, KS?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Montevideo or to Emporia, KS?
If budget matters most, go with Emporia, KS. 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.

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