Cost of Living in Puerto Rico - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Puerto Rico
Address: PR

Monthly Cost of Living

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $1,565 including rent across Puerto Rico.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $2,384 including rent across Puerto Rico.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,203 including rent across Puerto Rico.

Living costs in Puerto Rico vary widely – from $1,084 in more affordable cities to $2,373 in major hubs, spanning a $1,289 range across 42 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.21 $15.21

$10.14 $10.14

$30.41 $30.41

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.8 $73.8

$49.22 $49.22

$123 $123

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.77 $8.77

$7.80 $7.80

$11.69 $11.69

Cappuccino

$3.32 $3.32

$1.78 $1.78

$5.09 $5.09

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

$1.56 $1.56

$0.98 $0.98

$1.97 $1.97

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 $1.28

$1.02 $1.02

$2.05 $2.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.46 $1.46

$4.86 $4.86

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.03 $4.03

$3.02 $3.02

$6.05 $6.05

Milk (1 liter)

$2.10 $2.10

$1.53 $1.53

$3.57 $3.57

White Bread (500g)

$3.11 $3.11

$2.22 $2.22

$4.44 $4.44

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.24 $2.24

$1.21 $1.21

$4.33 $4.33

Eggs

$5.01 $5.01

$2.21 $2.21

$7.67 $7.67

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.50 $9.50

$4.39 $4.39

$24.86 $24.86

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.87 $8.87

$5.13 $5.13

$15.84 $15.84

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.52 $11.52

$6.60 $6.60

$16.75 $16.75

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$2.21 $2.21

$8.86 $8.86

Banana (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.59 $1.59

$4.31 $4.31

Oranges (1kg)

$4.01 $4.01

$1.28 $1.28

$6.71 $6.71

Tomato (1kg)

$4.67 $4.67

$2.47 $2.47

$7.34 $7.34

Potato (1kg)

$3.12 $3.12

$1.70 $1.70

$4.95 $4.95

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$1.90 $1.90

$5.13 $5.13

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.43 $1.43

$3.88 $3.88

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$0.92 $0.92

$3.08 $3.08

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.98 $10.98

$10.13 $10.13

$13.98 $13.98

Wine (Bottle)

$15.27 $15.27

$9.97 $9.97

$22.96 $22.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$1.46 $1.46

$3.07 $3.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.32 $3.32

$1.98 $1.98

$4.95 $4.95

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.74 $1.74

$1.49 $1.49

$1.98 $1.98

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$39.78 $39.78

$24.86 $24.86

$59.7 $59.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.96 $5.96

$4.96 $4.96

$9.93 $9.93

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.01 $1.01

$0.67 $0.67

$2.08 $2.08

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.42 $27.42

$14.95 $14.95

$39.88 $39.88

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 $0.93

$0.77 $0.77

$1.15 $1.15

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

$34.4K $34.4K

$29.5K $29.5K

$41.2K $41.2K

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

$27.6K $27.6K

$25.2K $25.2K

$31.3K $31.3K

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

$305 $305

$171 $171

$503 $503

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

$71.5 $71.5

$40.06 $40.06

$130 $130

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.0 $67.0

$44.39 $44.39

$98.7 $98.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.21 $34.21

$11.37 $11.37

$59.8 $59.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$33.35 $33.35

$24.84 $24.84

$39.74 $39.74

Cinema Ticket

$9.17 $9.17

$7.64 $7.64

$14.27 $14.27

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

$432 $432

$303 $303

$607 $607

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,658 $7,658

$4,227 $4,227

$15.1K $15.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.97 $48.97

$25.49 $25.49

$71.4 $71.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.00 $47.00

$25.36 $25.36

$60.9 $60.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.6 $87.6

$61.0 $61.0

$112 $112

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.3 $99.3

$49.55 $49.55

$149 $149

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$820 $820

$504 $504

$1,614 $1,614

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$606 $606

$395 $395

$937 $937

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,548 $1,548

$785 $785

$2,943 $2,943

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,148 $1,148

$712 $712

$2,034 $2,034

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,160 $5,160

$1,512 $1,512

$9,053 $9,053

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,932 $1,932

$879 $879

$4,812 $4,812

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,598 $2,598

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.

Last update: April 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $429 across Puerto Rico. For reference, capital rent is $1,560 in San Juan, and $0 in Aguadilla.

National average salary: $2,300. With average costs at $1,565, most workers manage but need to budget carefully.

Expect to spend about $358 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $73 for two.

In San Juan (capital), expect about $2,373 per month, while Aguadilla offers the lowest costs at $1,084 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,565) is 16% above the global median of $1,347.

Average rent ($429) is 32% below the global median of $629.

Dining out ($73) is 52% above the global median of $48.

Public transport ($7) is 79% below the global median of $33.

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	86	$1,032	$1,734	$2,091	$2,732	157.5	196.25
2	Aguadilla	10919	53	$821	$1,084	$1,973	$2,425	158.36	203.41
3	Arecibo	39634	73	$898	$1,449	$1,984	$2,937	82.95	196.61
4	Añasco	28000	73	$776	$1,436	$1,956	$2,743	142.83	174.38
5	Bayamon	165368	90	$833	$1,767	$2,332	$3,427	240.42	216.34
6	Cabo Rojo	50000	65	$724	$1,299	$2,294	$2,528	146.65	170.28
7	Caguas	70318	80	$755	$1,585	$2,298	$3,380	32.16	191
8	Candelaria	-	73	$831	$1,425	$2,126	$2,859	50.78	197.44
9	Carolina	138304	62	$933	$1,235	$2,230	$2,649	7.36	205.35
10	Cayey	13999	113	$1,042	$2,294	$2,375	$4,625	228.09	120.9
11	Coamo	40000	73	$1,089	$1,438	$2,409	$3,576	14.38	175.01
12	Dorado	12172	73	$833	$1,478	$2,367	$4,952	72.05	232.11
13	Fajardo	11647	96	$953	$1,905	$2,686	$4,308	6.41	193.19
14	Guayama	18797	106	$1,032	$2,154	$2,031	$2,803	220.03	162.31
15	Guaynabo	68491	98	$1,016	$1,919	$2,351	$4,414	22.22	223.23
16	Gurabo	45000	82	$804	$1,670	$2,313	$3,250	291.67	189.08
17	Hatillo	-	67	$718	$1,314	$1,967	$2,417	100.35	174.38
18	Hormigueros	-	73	$908	$1,442	$2,619	$2,903	255.97	163.83
19	Humacao	14972	82	$930	$1,605	$2,434	$3,531	246.25	187.11
20	Isabela	45000	67	$790	$1,345	$2,300	$2,551	20.61	193.26
21	Jayuya	15000	85	$1,070	$1,691	$2,542	$3,227	27.69	143.28
22	Las Marias	9700		$848	$1,244	$2,626	$2,683	88.55	188.48
23	Las Muesas	-	61	$852	$1,199	$2,375	$2,641	104.25	120.9
24	Las Piedras	38000	58	$756	$1,154	$2,185	$3,258	317.24	158.87
25	Levittown	-	73	$870	$1,467	$2,252	$2,867	133.17	218.15
26	Luquillo	20000	63	$1,169	$1,250	$2,318	$2,742	161.06	197.76
27	Manati	10974	100	$874	$2,039	$2,208	$3,901	22.58	176.83
28	Mayaguez	57566	76	$928	$1,480	$1,767	$2,884	242.04	184.23
29	Naranjito	-	91	$977	$1,820	$2,547	$2,613	75.48	203.2
30	Ponce	107951	87	$772	$1,768	$1,977	$3,240	158.45	176.94
31	Puerto de Tierra	-	67	$769	$1,338	$2,107	$2,629	-	-
32	Rincon	-	120	$876	$2,366	$2,580	$4,589	246.78	189.08
33	Rio Grande	-	67	$879	$1,354	$2,132	$4,469	278.57	143.78
34	Sabana Grande	25000	73	$923	$1,454	$2,760	$2,946	19.96	134.95
35	San German	35000	73	$1,106	$1,451	$2,278	$2,907	113.67	153.38
36	San Juan	322854	120	$1,027	$2,373	$2,601	$4,495	45.61	222.18
37	San Lorenzo	-	70	$899	$1,387	$2,003	$2,814	39.74	143.78
38	Santa Isabel	23000	85	$770	$1,713	$2,260	$3,092	223.26	172.11
39	Toa Alta	74000	64	$916	$1,275	$2,146	$2,687	47.47	211.22
40	Trujillo Alto	43712	88	$1,004	$1,752	$2,313	$3,474	245.75	234.75
41	Vega Alta	40000	73	$830	$1,443	$2,319	$2,916	109.49	197.44
42	Vega Baja	23415	58	$834	$1,142	$1,913	$2,426	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 $1,084 to $2,373 monthly. Capitals and tourist hotspots sit at the top end; provincial towns offer substantially cheaper living.

Puerto Rico covers a wide cost spectrum. As of 2026, monthly expenses run from about $1,084 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $2,373 in the priciest areas. The gap is big enough to meaningfully affect lifestyle for anyone on a fixed income.

Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in Puerto Rico drop fast. Aguadilla is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$1,000 supports a modest but comfortable life in Puerto Rico's smaller cities, but feels tight in San Juan. Rent is the deciding factor – keep housing costs low and the rest of the budget opens up.

Living costs in Puerto Rico are average by world standards. Regional cities offer better value than San Juan, and most residents with steady jobs or remote income find things manageable.