Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Puerto Rico Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Puerto Rico

Name: Puerto Rico
Address: PR

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,643 in United States versus $1,567 in Puerto Rico.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,857 in United States versus $2,386 in Puerto Rico.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,070 in United States versus $3,204 in Puerto Rico.

Living in United States is roughly 69% more expensive than Puerto Rico on average.

Both countries sit above the global median: United States 97% above, Puerto Rico 17% above.

Internal cost variation is higher in United States: monthly costs span $1,343 to $5,081, compared to $1,070–$2,442 in Puerto Rico. City choice carries more weight in United States.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.04 $20.04

$15.02 $15.02

33.42%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.0 $76.0

$76.2 $76.2

-0.21%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.42 $11.42

$8.75 $8.75

30.51%

Cappuccino

$5.39 $5.39

$3.28 $3.28

64.33%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.61 $1.61

58.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.22 $1.22

67.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.14 $6.14

$2.65 $2.65

131.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.18 $7.18

$3.89 $3.89

84.58%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$2.00 $2.00

-48.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.65 $3.65

$3.05 $3.05

19.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.73 $4.73

$2.24 $2.24

111.16%

Eggs

$4.38 $4.38

$5.08 $5.08

-13.78%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.76 $12.76

$9.65 $9.65

32.23%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.42 $12.42

$8.58 $8.58

44.76%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.41 $16.41

$11.29 $11.29

45.35%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$5.18 $5.18

4.63%

Banana (1kg)

$1.65 $1.65

$2.68 $2.68

-38.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$4.03 $4.03

13.90%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.91 $4.91

$4.68 $4.68

4.91%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.22 $3.22

-9.32%

Onion (1kg)

$3.13 $3.13

$2.70 $2.70

15.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 $2.26

$2.65 $2.65

-14.72%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.30 $2.30

$1.81 $1.81

27.07%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.89 $9.89

$11.12 $11.12

-11.06%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.10 $15.10

$15.65 $15.65

-3.51%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$2.26 $2.26

-15.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 $3.66

$3.40 $3.40

7.65%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.71 $1.71

45.03%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.8 $64.8

$40.20 $40.20

61.27%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.84 $3.84

$6.14 $6.14

-37.46%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.76 $1.76

$0.99 $0.99

77.78%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.58 $30.58

$27.66 $27.66

10.56%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$0.99 $0.99

-3.03%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.5K $30.5K

$35.3K $35.3K

-13.66%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.4K $26.4K

$27.0K $27.0K

-2.20%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$204 $204

$302 $302

-32.46%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$57.3 $57.3

$71.5 $71.5

-19.91%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.2 $71.2

$66.6 $66.6

6.86%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.67 $46.67

$34.38 $34.38

35.75%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.12 $22.12

$34.05 $34.05

-35.04%

Cinema Ticket

$13.84 $13.84

$8.83 $8.83

56.74%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,384 $1,384

$430 $430

222.01%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.7K $22.7K

$7,486 $7,486

203.29%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.0 $53.0

$48.16 $48.16

10.03%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.17 $43.17

$45.94 $45.94

-6.03%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.6 $90.6

$84.5 $84.5

7.25%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$102 $102

12.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,766 $1,766

$803 $803

120.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,459 $1,459

$624 $624

133.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,832 $2,832

$1,595 $1,595

77.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,411 $2,411

$1,142 $1,142

111.10%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,287 $3,287

$5,349 $5,349

-38.54%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,650 $2,650

$2,394 $2,394

10.68%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,379 $4,379

$2,753 $2,753

59.05%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

5.62

15.84%

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

Last update for United States: May 30, 2026

Last update for Puerto Rico: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $1,637 in United States, $427 in Puerto Rico. Capital cities: $2,591 in Washington, DC vs $1,567 in San Juan.

National salary averages: $4,500 in United States, $2,383 in Puerto Rico. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 283% higher in United States.

Public transport is 257% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 89% higher in United States, giving United States stronger purchasing power.

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

United States vs Puerto Rico: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

At $1,756 per month in Puerto Rico and $3,212 in United States, there's a 83% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.

Puerto Rico is simply cheaper day-to-day: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.

Rent in United States beats Puerto Rico across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.

In Puerto Rico, $2,500 covers most cities easily. In United States, it works in regional areas but falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.

It depends on what you're after. Puerto Rico wins on affordability; United States may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.