Cost of Living Comparison Between Montevideo and San José Cost of Living Comparison Between Montevideo and San José

😐 Solo nomad: Montevideo is 20.3% more expensive than San José without rent, and 62.2% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Montevideo is 17.1% more expensive than San José without rent, and 53.5% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montevideo
San José
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.24 UYU 667
$15.87 UYU 652
2.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.7 UYU 2,289
$54.1 UYU 2,222
3.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12 UYU 493
$11.18 UYU 460
7.33%
Cappuccino
$4.3 UYU 177
$4.26 UYU 175
0.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 UYU 92.8
$2.17 UYU 89
4.15%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68 UYU 69.2
$1.77 UYU 72.6
-5.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.31 UYU 177
$4.33 UYU 178
-0.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68 UYU 151
$3.74 UYU 154
-1.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montevideo
San José
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 UYU 51.9
$0.99 UYU 40.62
27.27%
White Bread (500g)
$2.79 UYU 115
$1.91 UYU 78.6
46.07%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.66 UYU 68.4
$1.46 UYU 59.8
13.70%
Eggs
$4.7 UYU 193
$2.51 UYU 103
87.25%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.5 UYU 555
$12.42 UYU 510
8.70%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.9 UYU 448
$7.13 UYU 293
52.88%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.99 UYU 452
$11.19 UYU 460
-1.79%
Apples (1kg)
$3.15 UYU 129
$1.19 UYU 49.1
164.71%
Banana (1kg)
$2.48 UYU 102
$1.49 UYU 61
66.44%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.5 UYU 61.6
$1.19 UYU 49
26.05%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.62 UYU 149
$1.49 UYU 61.3
142.95%
Potato (1kg)
$2.09 UYU 85.8
$0.93 UYU 38.35
124.73%
Onion (1kg)
$1.96 UYU 80.5
$1.2 UYU 49.51
63.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.36 UYU 55.9
$1.32 UYU 54.4
3.03%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.68 UYU 69.1
$1.66 UYU 68.2
1.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.99 UYU 205
$5.01 UYU 206
-0.40%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.84 UYU 404
$9.91 UYU 407
-0.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.38 UYU 97.9
$2.35 UYU 96.5
1.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93 UYU 121
$3.01 UYU 124
-2.66%
🚌 Getting Around
Montevideo
San José
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.31 UYU 53.6
$1.24 UYU 50.9
5.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$55.5 UYU 2,281
$43.32 UYU 1,780
28.12%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.61 UYU 66.1
$1.49 UYU 61.4
8.05%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.62 UYU 149
$1.56 UYU 63.9
132.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.33 UYU 507
$11.22 UYU 461
9.89%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.88 UYU 77.1
$1.82 UYU 74.9
3.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K UYU 1.4M
$34.4K UYU 1.4M
0.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.9K UYU 1.5M
$36.7K UYU 1.5M
-2.02%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montevideo
San José
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$169 UYU 6,934
$172 UYU 7,055
-1.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.39 UYU 674
$16.75 UYU 688
-2.15%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.07 UYU 2,017
$49 UYU 2,014
0.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montevideo
San José
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.9 UYU 2,502
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.11 UYU 703
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.33 UYU 425
$10.6 UYU 435
-2.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montevideo
San José
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$488 UYU 20.1K
$483 UYU 19.9K
0.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,843 UYU 363.4K
$8,821 UYU 362.5K
0.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montevideo
San José
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$95.3 UYU 3,914
$91.7 UYU 3,768
3.88%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.98 UYU 1,972
$46.8 UYU 1,923
2.52%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$116 UYU 4,749
$115 UYU 4,739
0.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123 UYU 5,066
$123 UYU 5,072
-0.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montevideo
San José
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$610 UYU 25.1K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$490 UYU 20.1K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,096 UYU 45K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$801 UYU 32.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,698 UYU 152K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,056 UYU 125.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montevideo
San José
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,104 UYU 45.4K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.68
5.68
-

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

Last update for Montevideo: October 28, 2025

Last update for San José: October 28, 2025

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