Cost of Living in San José - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $815 (excluding rent), and $1,006 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,982 (excluding rent), and $2,161 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.16 UYU 664

$12.24 UYU 503

$24.49 UYU 1,006

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$54.9 UYU 2,257

$39.92 UYU 1,640

$99.8 UYU 4,101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.88 UYU 447

$10.64 UYU 437

$14.51 UYU 596

Cappuccino

$4.26 UYU 175

$2.49 UYU 103

$6.22 UYU 256

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

$2.27 UYU 93.4

$1.39 UYU 57

$3.77 UYU 155

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.72 UYU 70.6

$1.09 UYU 44.88

$2.98 UYU 122

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.47 UYU 184

$2.49 UYU 102

$7.11 UYU 292

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.78 UYU 155

$2.52 UYU 104

$9.26 UYU 381

Milk (1 liter)

$0.97 UYU 39.99

$1.6 UYU 65.6

White Bread (500g)

$2.02 UYU 82.9

$1.88 UYU 77.4

$6.04 UYU 248

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.43 UYU 58.8

$1.07 UYU 44.01

$1.91 UYU 78.4

Eggs

$2.6 UYU 107

$2 UYU 82.4

$6.05 UYU 249

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.14 UYU 499

$6.07 UYU 249

$21.85 UYU 898

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.39 UYU 304

$4.65 UYU 191

$14.77 UYU 607

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.07 UYU 455

$7.37 UYU 303

$17.2 UYU 707

Apples (1kg)

$1.24 UYU 50.9

$4.44 UYU 183

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 UYU 61.3

$3.73 UYU 153

Oranges (1kg)

$1.23 UYU 50.7

$0.79 UYU 32.41

$2.96 UYU 122

Tomato (1kg)

$1.51 UYU 61.9

$6.24 UYU 257

Potato (1kg)

$0.94 UYU 38.46

$2.55 UYU 105

Onion (1kg)

$1.25 UYU 51.3

$1 UYU 41.23

$2.73 UYU 112

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.31 UYU 53.8

$0.84 UYU 34.52

$2.39 UYU 98.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 UYU 70.4

$1.48 UYU 60.8

$2.22 UYU 91.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.22 UYU 214

$4.97 UYU 204

$6.2 UYU 255

Wine (Bottle)

$9.62 UYU 396

$4.81 UYU 198

$12.04 UYU 495

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.3 UYU 94.7

$1.46 UYU 60

$3.64 UYU 150

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.02 UYU 124

$1.99 UYU 81.7

$4.62 UYU 190

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.21 UYU 49.57

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$43.46 UYU 1,786

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.48 UYU 61

$1.47 UYU 60.6

$1.85 UYU 76

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.51 UYU 62

$1.16 UYU 47.78

$4.64 UYU 191

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.98 UYU 451

$15.86 UYU 652

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.9 UYU 77.9

$1.85 UYU 75.8

$2.24 UYU 92.2

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

$34.8K UYU 1.4M

$33.1K UYU 1.4M

$39.8K UYU 1.6M

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

$36.9K UYU 1.5M

$33K UYU 1.4M

$39.7K UYU 1.6M

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

$168 UYU 6,918

$83.9 UYU 3,448

$360 UYU 14.8K

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

$16.49 UYU 678

$9.69 UYU 398

$48.44 UYU 1,991

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.25 UYU 2,024

$36.62 UYU 1,505

$65.9 UYU 2,709

Cinema Ticket

$10.7 UYU 440

$8.22 UYU 338

$12.44 UYU 511

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

$484 UYU 19.9K

$365 UYU 15K

$803 UYU 33K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,826 UYU 362.7K

$7,272 UYU 298.8K

$11.9K UYU 490.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$93.6 UYU 3,845

$36.77 UYU 1,511

$147 UYU 6,025

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.15 UYU 1,979

$12.38 UYU 509

$74.3 UYU 3,053

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$113 UYU 4,648

$96.8 UYU 3,979

$146 UYU 5,983

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 UYU 5,015

$84.9 UYU 3,490

$170 UYU 6,980

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.68

4.75

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

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Cost of Living in San José - Frequently Asked Questions

For many travelers and expats, Cost of Living in San José, Uruguay lands in a comfortable middle ground compared with bigger cities in the region. You may find everyday costs – like groceries, utilities, and local dining – reasonably balanced, while services and real estate vary by neighborhood. The city offers a mix of calm residential areas and lively centers, which helps you tailor your budget. Seasonality matters for tourism and housing demand, so plan for modest price bumps during peak months. Tip: Start with a short-term rental in a well-connected neighborhood to gauge costs before committing to longer leases.

Daily life in San José blends provincial charm with practical conveniences. Begin your housing search by identifying neighborhoods that balance safety, transit access, and noise levels; options range from older, affordable rentals to newer, well-served complexes. In terms of food, you’ll find markets and panaderias offering fresh, regional ingredients at approachable prices. For transport, buses connect major centers and taxis are common; cycling is feasible in several zones, and walking is pleasant in historic cores. Co-working spaces support remote work, with cafés serving as informal work hubs. San José, Uruguay living cost varies by street and building type, so compare a few blocks. Tip: Build a rolling budget to accommodate seasonal dining and transport shifts.

Good budgeting for San José hinges on a simple framework: separate needs from wants, then build a buffer for seasonal shifts and occasional splurges. Start with housing as your anchor, followed by utilities, groceries, and transport. In neighborhoods, compare rental terms, maintenance fees, and proximity to markets and coworking hubs. Seasonal flows affect dining out and entertainment, so layer in flexible activity plans. Save by cooking at home, buying local produce, and choosing public transport or shared rides for longer trips. Tip: set aside a monthly cushion and review it quarterly to adapt to changing work needs and travel plans.