Cost of Living in San José - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $789 (excluding rent), and $974 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,080 (excluding rent), and $2,113 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.88 UYU 624

$12.03 UYU 472

$24.07 UYU 945

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$55.6 UYU 2,184

$40.43 UYU 1,587

$101 UYU 3,968

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.84 UYU 425

$10.6 UYU 416

$14.45 UYU 567

Cappuccino

$4.15 UYU 163

$2.43 UYU 95.4

$6.06 UYU 238

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

$2.24 UYU 88

$1.37 UYU 53.7

$3.72 UYU 146

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.77 UYU 69.6

$1.13 UYU 44.24

$3.07 UYU 121

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.47 UYU 176

$2.49 UYU 97.8

$7.11 UYU 279

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.65 UYU 143

$2.44 UYU 95.7

$8.96 UYU 352

Milk (1 liter)

$0.99 UYU 38.72

$1.62 UYU 63.5

White Bread (500g)

$1.99 UYU 78.1

$1.86 UYU 73

$5.96 UYU 234

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.49 UYU 58.5

$1.11 UYU 43.74

$1.99 UYU 78

Eggs

$2.56 UYU 100

$1.97 UYU 77.5

$5.96 UYU 234

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.15 UYU 477

$6.07 UYU 238

$21.87 UYU 859

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.28 UYU 286

$4.58 UYU 180

$14.55 UYU 571

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.88 UYU 427

$7.25 UYU 285

$16.9 UYU 664

Apples (1kg)

$1.19 UYU 46.59

$4.26 UYU 167

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 UYU 58.3

$3.71 UYU 145

Oranges (1kg)

$1.26 UYU 49.29

$0.8 UYU 31.51

$3.01 UYU 118

Tomato (1kg)

$1.45 UYU 57

$6.01 UYU 236

Potato (1kg)

$0.99 UYU 38.89

$2.7 UYU 106

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 UYU 46.77

$0.96 UYU 37.57

$2.61 UYU 102

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.36 UYU 53.3

$0.87 UYU 34.18

$2.48 UYU 97.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 UYU 68.4

$1.51 UYU 59.1

$2.25 UYU 88.5

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.28 UYU 207

$5.02 UYU 197

$6.27 UYU 246

Wine (Bottle)

$10.29 UYU 404

$5.14 UYU 202

$15.15 UYU 595

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 UYU 88.6

$1.43 UYU 56.1

$3.57 UYU 140

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.05 UYU 120

$2.01 UYU 78.8

$4.66 UYU 183

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.19 UYU 46.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.63 UYU 1,752

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.51 UYU 59.3

$1.5 UYU 58.9

$1.88 UYU 73.9

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.49 UYU 58.7

$1.15 UYU 45.27

$4.6 UYU 181

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.93 UYU 429

$15.78 UYU 620

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.81 UYU 71.1

$1.76 UYU 69.2

$2.14 UYU 84.1

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

$34.6K UYU 1.4M

$32.8K UYU 1.3M

$39.5K UYU 1.6M

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

$36K UYU 1.4M

$32.2K UYU 1.3M

$38.8K UYU 1.5M

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

$174 UYU 6,851

$87 UYU 3,414

$373 UYU 14.6K

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

$16.42 UYU 645

$9.64 UYU 379

$48.23 UYU 1,894

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.85 UYU 1,957

$37.08 UYU 1,456

$66.8 UYU 2,621

Cinema Ticket

$10.59 UYU 416

$8.14 UYU 320

$12.32 UYU 484

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

$491 UYU 19.3K

$371 UYU 14.6K

$815 UYU 32K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,820 UYU 346.3K

$7,267 UYU 285.3K

$11.9K UYU 468K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$94.6 UYU 3,713

$37.16 UYU 1,459

$148 UYU 5,818

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.97 UYU 1,883

$12.34 UYU 484

$74 UYU 2,906

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$113 UYU 4,420

$96.4 UYU 3,784

$145 UYU 5,690

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 UYU 4,791

$84.9 UYU 3,335

$170 UYU 6,669

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.68

4.75

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

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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.