Cost of Living in Puerto Rico - Updated Prices & Insights

69.75

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $964 (excluding rent), and $1,907 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,445 (excluding rent), and $3,775 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.89 $14.89

$9.93 $9.93

$29.78 $29.78

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.7 $73.7

$49.14 $49.14

$123 $123

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.04 $9.04

$8.03 $8.03

$12.05 $12.05

Cappuccino

$3.33 $3.33

$1.79 $1.79

$5.1 $5.1

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

$1.63 $1.63

$1.03 $1.03

$2.05 $2.05

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 $1.28

$1.02 $1.02

$2.04 $2.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.47 $1.47

$4.91 $4.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.09 $4.09

$3.07 $3.07

$6.13 $6.13

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 $2.02

$1.47 $1.47

$3.43 $3.43

White Bread (500g)

$3.14 $3.14

$2.24 $2.24

$4.49 $4.49

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.3 $2.3

$1.24 $1.24

$4.44 $4.44

Eggs

$5.01 $5.01

$2.21 $2.21

$7.67 $7.67

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.39 $9.39

$4.33 $4.33

$24.57 $24.57

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.73 $8.73

$5.05 $5.05

$15.59 $15.59

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.52 $11.52

$6.6 $6.6

$16.75 $16.75

Apples (1kg)

$5.17 $5.17

$2.15 $2.15

$8.64 $8.64

Banana (1kg)

$2.64 $2.64

$1.65 $1.65

$4.45 $4.45

Oranges (1kg)

$4.02 $4.02

$1.28 $1.28

$6.73 $6.73

Tomato (1kg)

$4.66 $4.66

$2.47 $2.47

$7.32 $7.32

Potato (1kg)

$3.22 $3.22

$1.76 $1.76

$5.1 $5.1

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$1.86 $1.86

$5.03 $5.03

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.69 $2.69

$1.51 $1.51

$4.11 $4.11

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.9 $1.9

$0.91 $0.91

$3.06 $3.06

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.84 $10.84

$10 $10

$13.79 $13.79

Wine (Bottle)

$15.27 $15.27

$10.17 $10.17

$19.35 $19.35

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$1.46 $1.46

$3.07 $3.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.41 $3.41

$2.03 $2.03

$5.07 $5.07

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.46 $1.46

$1.95 $1.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.24 $40.24

$25.15 $25.15

$60.4 $60.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.06 $6.06

$5.05 $5.05

$10.1 $10.1

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.94 $0.94

$0.63 $0.63

$1.94 $1.94

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.34 $27.34

$14.91 $14.91

$39.76 $39.76

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1 $1

$0.84 $0.84

$1.24 $1.24

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

$34.3K $34.3K

$29.4K $29.4K

$41.2K $41.2K

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

$27.1K $27.1K

$24.8K $24.8K

$30.8K $30.8K

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

$305 $305

$171 $171

$504 $504

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

$71.8 $71.8

$40.23 $40.23

$131 $131

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.2 $69.2

$45.83 $45.83

$102 $102

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.9 $34.9

$11.6 $11.6

$61 $61

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$32.95 $32.95

$24.54 $24.54

$39.26 $39.26

Cinema Ticket

$8.87 $8.87

$7.4 $7.4

$13.8 $13.8

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

$432 $432

$303 $303

$606 $606

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,547 $7,547

$4,165 $4,165

$14.9K $14.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.1 $47.1

$24.52 $24.52

$68.7 $68.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.91 $45.91

$24.77 $24.77

$59.5 $59.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.3 $85.3

$59.4 $59.4

$109 $109

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.3 $98.3

$49.03 $49.03

$147 $147

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 $825

$507 $507

$1,624 $1,624

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$621 $621

$404 $404

$960 $960

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,594 $1,594

$808 $808

$3,030 $3,030

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,133 $1,133

$702 $702

$2,006 $2,006

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,146 $3,146

$982 $982

$5,336 $5,336

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,838 $1,838

$877 $877

$3,207 $3,207

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,545 $2,545

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.62

3.85

7.5

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

Cost of Living in Puerto Rico - Frequently Asked Questions

The Cost of Living in Puerto Rico tends to feel approachable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads when you compare daily basics to many mainland options. Flexible rentals, coworking spaces, and a strong local food scene help your budget go farther without sacrificing convenience. Prices vary by district: coastal areas and popular tourist towns may be brighter, inland towns often quieter and more affordable, and public transit can be practical in city centers. Seasonal shifts matter for lodging and activities, so scout multiple neighborhoods and time your stays. Tip: Identify a couple of target areas and test a few weeks before committing.

Figure out where you want to live by zoning that matches your pace and budget. In San Juan, Condado and Santurce offer easy access to co-working and nightlife, while areas like Río Piedras or Guaynabo tend to be more affordable and family-friendly. For daily meals, you’ll find abundant farmers markets and small pantries with local produce; try shared kitchens or neighborhood co-ops to stretch costs. Transport is often practical with a mix of rideshares, buses, and limited rail, but a car can unlock more remote beaches. Puerto Rico living cost tends to shift with tourist seasons, so time your search across several months. Tip: Build a short list of 3-5 neighborhoods and test them on foot or by bike.

Quality of life here grows when you balance housing, daily costs, and activities. Choose a neighborhood based on walkability, safety, and quick access to work or beaches. Use a simple budgeting framework: essentials, flexibility, and savings, then adjust with the seasons and local events. Climate affects your expenses – higher electricity use for cooling, seasonal rain, and storm planning shapes routines and storage needs. Shoulder seasons can offer calmer streets and friendlier prices, while major events bring energy but lure crowds. Tip: set a monthly cap on nonessential spends and review it after each week.