Last update: Oct 2026 3.3M

Cost of Living in Puerto Rico

Name: Puerto Rico
Address: PR

Across Puerto Rico, living costs for one person average $2,054 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about half of the total. Other living expenses average about $32 a day.

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🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Puerto Rico

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Puerto Rico actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $2,054 including rent across Puerto Rico.

$2,054 /mo

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $3,047 including rent across Puerto Rico.

$3,047 /mo

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,040 including rent across Puerto Rico.

$4,040 /mo

Living costs in Puerto Rico vary widely – from $1,068 in the most affordable city to $2,500 in the most expensive one, spanning a $1,432 range across 42 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.25 $15.25

$10.17 $10.17

$26.44 $26.44

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.9 $78.9

$56.6 $56.6

$148 $148

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.20 $10.20

$9.18 $9.18

$12.24 $12.24

Cappuccino

$3.53 $3.53

$2.01 $2.01

$5.04 $5.04

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

$1.66 $1.66

$1.24 $1.24

$2.97 $2.97

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.35 $1.35

$0.98 $0.98

$1.97 $1.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.97 $2.97

$1.49 $1.49

$4.96 $4.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.61 $4.61

$3.07 $3.07

$5.12 $5.12

Milk (1 liter)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.62 $1.62

$3.58 $3.58

White Bread (500g)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.40 $2.40

$4.59 $4.59

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.21 $2.21

$1.21 $1.21

$3.62 $3.62

Eggs

$6.09 $6.09

$3.05 $3.05

$8.57 $8.57

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.17 $11.17

$5.04 $5.04

$20.00 $20.00

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.38 $8.38

$4.95 $4.95

$13.09 $13.09

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.46 $12.46

$7.03 $7.03

$18.35 $18.35

Apples (1kg)

$4.70 $4.70

$3.09 $3.09

$6.80 $6.80

Banana (1kg)

$2.65 $2.65

$1.47 $1.47

$4.34 $4.34

Oranges (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$1.93 $1.93

$6.52 $6.52

Tomato (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$1.02 $1.02

$8.98 $8.98

Potato (1kg)

$3.51 $3.51

$1.77 $1.77

$5.07 $5.07

Onion (1kg)

$3.21 $3.21

$2.00 $2.00

$6.62 $6.62

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.97 $2.97

$1.58 $1.58

$4.41 $4.41

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 $1.80

$0.68 $0.68

$2.91 $2.91

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.76 $11.76

$10.38 $10.38

$13.84 $13.84

Wine (Bottle)

$15.41 $15.41

$11.86 $11.86

$18.77 $18.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$0.98 $0.98

$3.73 $3.73

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$1.99 $1.99

$4.97 $4.97

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 $0.89

$0.76 $0.76

$2.03 $2.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.39 $30.39

$69.9 $69.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.45 $2.45

$5.87 $5.87

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.53 $1.53

$0.95 $0.95

$1.53 $1.53

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.72 $41.72

$39.74 $39.74

$41.72 $41.72

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.79 $0.79

$1.28 $1.28

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

$39.7K $39.7K

$34.5K $34.5K

$44.7K $44.7K

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

$28.8K $28.8K

$27.5K $27.5K

$29.9K $29.9K

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

$294 $294

$201 $201

$503 $503

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

$68.6 $68.6

$40.47 $40.47

$132 $132

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.2 $71.2

$59.6 $59.6

$99.3 $99.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.85 $28.85

$11.31 $11.31

$55.8 $55.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.72 $13.72

$5.97 $5.97

$24.88 $24.88

Cinema Ticket

$9.87 $9.87

$7.89 $7.89

$14.56 $14.56

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

$708 $708

$497 $497

$888 $888

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.2K $11.2K

$7,661 $7,661

$15.7K $15.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.5 $57.5

$25.34 $25.34

$81.1 $81.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.49 $47.49

$24.79 $24.79

$69.4 $69.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.4 $93.4

$80.8 $80.8

$151 $151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.1 $98.1

$49.59 $49.59

$149 $149

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,202 $1,202

$639 $639

$2,006 $2,006

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$782 $782

$508 $508

$1,533 $1,533

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,319 $2,319

$1,185 $1,185

$4,245 $4,245

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,297 $1,297

$946 $946

$1,991 $1,991

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,281 $6,281

$2,383 $2,383

$8,998 $8,998

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,615 $3,615

$1,332 $1,332

$4,932 $4,932

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,811 $2,811

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

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

Last update: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Puerto Rico $2,054

Accommodation & Living

$782 38.1%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$434 21.1%

Groceries & Markets

$381 18.5%

Eating Out

$231 11.3%

Clothing & Footwear

$133 6.5%

Sport & Entertainment

$49 2.4%

Getting Around

$44 2.1%

Cost Breakdown

National average salary: $2,576. With average costs at $2,054, most workers manage but need to budget carefully.

Expect to spend about $387 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $76 for two.

In San Juan (capital), expect about $2,500 per month, while Aguadilla offers the lowest costs at $1,068 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($2,054) is 51% above the global median of $1,361.

Average rent ($898) is 36% above the global median of $661.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($76) is 58% above the global median of $48.

Public transport ($38) is 15% above the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

07:31 7:31 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

3,285,874

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.896 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

By City in Puerto Rico

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Aguada	41000		$478	$1,181	$1,014	$1,274	157.5	196.25
2	Aguadilla	10919	51	$946	$1,068	$2,292	$2,414	158.36	203.41
3	Añasco	28000	64	$997	$1,320	$2,515	$2,838	142.83	174.38
4	Arecibo	39634	61	$955	$1,280	$2,408	$2,732	82.95	196.61
5	Bayamon	165368	99	$943	$2,080	$2,394	$4,166	240.42	216.34
6	Cabo Rojo	50000	59	$911	$1,236	$2,335	$2,660	146.65	170.28
7	Caguas	70318	78	$906	$1,621	$2,374	$3,557	32.16	191
8	Candelaria	17631	64	$1,000	$1,327	$2,518	$2,844	50.78	197.44
9	Carolina	138304	109	$912	$2,257	$2,177	$3,986	7.36	205.35
10	Cayey	13999	104	$1,034	$2,167	$2,581	$4,730	228.09	120.9
11	Coamo	40000	82	$929	$1,689	$2,372	$3,654	14.38	175.01
12	Dorado	12172	61	$953	$1,273	$2,421	$2,741	72.05	232.11
13	Fajardo	11647	60	$925	$1,241	$2,350	$2,667	6.41	193.19
14	Guayama	18797	61	$947	$1,273	$2,379	$2,706	220.03	162.31
15	Guaynabo	68491	89	$913	$1,846	$2,328	$4,017	22.22	223.23
16	Gurabo	45000	58	$881	$1,207	$2,179	$2,506	291.67	189.08
17	Hatillo	5622	63	$991	$1,314	$2,503	$2,826	100.35	174.38
18	Hormigueros	11934	64	$998	$1,323	$2,520	$2,845	255.97	163.83
19	Humacao	14972	75	$860	$1,561	$2,038	$3,516	246.25	187.11
20	Isabela	45000	61	$947	$1,273	$2,387	$2,714	20.61	193.26
21	Jayuya	15000	65	$892	$1,336	$2,174	$2,728	27.69	143.28
22	Las Marias	9700						88.55	188.48
23	Las Muesas	18494	64	$1,002	$1,327	$2,530	$2,854	104.25	120.9
24	Las Piedras	38000	64	$995	$1,318	$2,500	$2,822	317.24	158.87
25	Levittown	29785	64	$999	$1,318	$2,517	$2,837	133.17	218.15
26	Luquillo	20000	60	$987	$1,253	$2,502	$2,768	161.06	197.76
27	Manati	10974	58	$886	$1,203	$2,162	$2,480	22.58	176.83
28	Mayaguez	57566	62	$972	$1,294	$2,386	$2,709	242.04	184.23
29	Naranjito	2325						75.48	203.2
30	Ponce	107951	93	$915	$1,947	$2,227	$3,493	158.45	176.94
31	Puerto de Tierra	-	63	$994	$1,317	$2,512	$2,835	-	-
32	Rincon	8973	108	$925	$2,245	$2,227	$4,244	246.78	189.08
33	Rio Grande	13467	60	$918	$1,234	$2,328	$2,643	278.57	143.78
34	Sabana Grande	25000	64	$998	$1,317	$2,513	$2,833	19.96	134.95
35	San German	35000	64	$1,001	$1,318	$2,521	$2,838	113.67	153.38
36	San Juan	322854	121	$1,072	$2,500	$2,670	$4,596	45.61	222.18
37	San Lorenzo	9373	61	$941	$1,264	$2,397	$2,720	39.74	143.78
38	Santa Isabel	23000	63	$982	$1,309	$2,467	$2,794	223.26	172.11
39	Toa Alta	74000	60	$919	$1,238	$2,311	$2,630	47.47	211.22
40	Trujillo Alto	43712	85	$889	$1,766	$2,253	$3,521	245.75	234.75
41	Vega Alta	40000	94	$999	$1,935	$2,519	$3,579	109.49	197.44
42	Vega Baja	23415	57	$972	$1,197	$2,319	$2,544	216.52	185.34

Puerto Rico Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.

As of 2026, living expenses in Puerto Rico span $1,068 to $2,500 monthly. Which city you choose has a big effect on your budget.

Puerto Rico covers a wide cost spectrum. As of 2026, monthly expenses run from about $1,068 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $2,500 in the priciest areas. The gap is big enough to meaningfully affect lifestyle for anyone on a fixed income.

Outside the capital, costs in Puerto Rico drop noticeably. Aguadilla is one of the best budget options.

Outside major cities, $1,500 covers essentials in Puerto Rico just fine. In San Juan and other expensive hubs, expect much tighter budgeting with little room for extras.

Even regional cities in Puerto Rico are pricier than the global average, with San Juan at the top. If you’re coming from a lower-cost country, budget carefully – the sticker shock on housing, food, and services is real.