Cost of Living Comparison Between Uruguay and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Uruguay and United States

Name: United States
Address: US

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,020 per month in Uruguay vs $2,643 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,623 per month in Uruguay vs $3,856 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,226 per month in Uruguay vs $5,069 in United States, rent included.

Uruguay is roughly 61% cheaper than United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Uruguay sits 24% below the global median, while United States is 97% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.81 UYU 680

$20.12 $20.12

-16.45%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.1 UYU 2,148

$73.9 $73.9

-28.13%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.40 UYU 461

$11.56 $11.56

-1.38%

Cappuccino

$4.19 UYU 170

$5.09 $5.09

-17.68%

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

$2.33 UYU 94.2

$2.58 $2.58

-9.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 UYU 74.2

$2.15 $2.15

-14.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.85 UYU 156

$6.10 $6.10

-36.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.72 UYU 151

$6.95 $6.95

-46.47%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.20 UYU 48.54

$1.08 $1.08

11.11%

White Bread (500g)

$2.71 UYU 110

$3.74 $3.74

-27.54%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.66 UYU 67.2

$4.53 $4.53

-63.36%

Eggs

$4.22 UYU 171

$4.43 $4.43

-4.74%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.50 UYU 546

$12.99 $12.99

3.93%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.74 UYU 435

$12.25 $12.25

-12.33%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.15 UYU 451

$16.17 $16.17

-31.05%

Apples (1kg)

$2.89 UYU 117

$5.31 $5.31

-45.57%

Banana (1kg)

$2.38 UYU 96.4

$1.64 $1.64

45.12%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 UYU 61.9

$4.44 $4.44

-65.54%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.23 UYU 131

$5.03 $5.03

-35.79%

Potato (1kg)

$1.96 UYU 79.3

$2.98 $2.98

-34.23%

Onion (1kg)

$2.08 UYU 84.4

$3.03 $3.03

-31.35%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.26 UYU 51.0

$2.26 $2.26

-44.25%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 UYU 68.8

$2.28 $2.28

-25.44%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.06 UYU 205

$10.12 $10.12

-50.00%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.47 UYU 302

$14.94 $14.94

-50.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.32 UYU 93.9

$1.97 $1.97

17.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 UYU 119

$3.66 $3.66

-19.95%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.20 UYU 48.55

$2.43 $2.43

-50.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.23 UYU 1,790

$64.7 $64.7

-31.65%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.43 UYU 57.9

$3.83 $3.83

-62.66%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.49 UYU 60.2

$1.78 $1.78

-16.29%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.10 UYU 449

$30.45 $30.45

-63.55%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.95 UYU 78.7

$0.88 $0.88

121.59%

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

$39.5K UYU 1.6M

$30.3K $30.3K

30.51%

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

$38.6K UYU 1.6M

$25.9K $25.9K

49.20%

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

$145 UYU 5,870

$205 $205

-29.27%

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

$17.48 UYU 707

$57.6 $57.6

-69.65%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.52 UYU 1,680

$71.9 $71.9

-42.25%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$54.4 UYU 2,202

$45.53 $45.53

19.53%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.12 UYU 774

$22.32 $22.32

-14.34%

Cinema Ticket

$10.12 UYU 410

$13.82 $13.82

-26.77%

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

$467 UYU 18.9K

$1,374 $1,374

-66.01%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,615 UYU 348.7K

$23.0K $23.0K

-62.60%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$91.4 UYU 3,699

$51.3 $51.3

78.18%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.66 UYU 2,010

$43.35 $43.35

14.56%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 UYU 4,718

$91.2 $91.2

27.87%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$117 UYU 4,732

$115 $115

1.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$597 UYU 24.2K

$1,761 $1,761

-66.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$467 UYU 18.9K

$1,428 $1,428

-67.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,012 UYU 41.0K

$2,843 $2,843

-64.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$804 UYU 32.5K

$2,380 $2,380

-66.21%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,417 UYU 138.3K

$3,299 $3,299

3.59%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,095 UYU 84.8K

$2,587 $2,587

-19.04%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,094 UYU 44.3K

$4,234 $4,234

-74.16%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.51

-0.92%

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

Last update for Uruguay: June 7, 2026

Last update for United States: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $287 in Uruguay vs $1,635 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $619 in Montevideo and $1,583 in Washington, MI.

Average salary: $860 in Uruguay vs $4,496 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 470% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 66% more in United States.

Public transport is 16% more expensive in Uruguay.

Salaries are 423% 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

Uruguay vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Uruguay is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 212% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Uruguay, contributing to the overall 212% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Uruguay, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Uruguay is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.