Cost of Living in San José - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $916 (excluding rent), and $997 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,001 (excluding rent), and $2,113 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.99 UYU 619

$12.12 UYU 469

$24.24 UYU 938

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$55.5 UYU 2,149

$40.36 UYU 1,562

$101 UYU 3,906

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.82 UYU 419

$10.58 UYU 410

$14.43 UYU 559

Cappuccino

$4.06 UYU 157

$2.38 UYU 92.1

$5.93 UYU 230

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

$2.15 UYU 83.3

$1.31 UYU 50.9

$3.57 UYU 138

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.72 UYU 66.6

$1.09 UYU 42.33

$2.98 UYU 115

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.30 UYU 167

$2.40 UYU 92.7

$6.84 UYU 265

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 UYU 145

$2.50 UYU 96.9

$9.20 UYU 356

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 UYU 39.26

$1.66 UYU 64.4

White Bread (500g)

$1.99 UYU 77.2

$1.86 UYU 72.1

$5.97 UYU 231

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.48 UYU 57.4

$1.11 UYU 42.98

$1.98 UYU 76.6

Eggs

$2.57 UYU 99.5

$1.98 UYU 76.8

$5.99 UYU 232

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.08 UYU 468

$6.03 UYU 234

$21.74 UYU 841

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.31 UYU 283

$4.60 UYU 178

$14.61 UYU 565

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.16 UYU 432

$7.44 UYU 288

$17.34 UYU 671

Apples (1kg)

$1.20 UYU 46.46

$4.31 UYU 167

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 UYU 56.2

$3.62 UYU 140

Oranges (1kg)

$1.23 UYU 47.79

$0.79 UYU 30.55

$2.96 UYU 115

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 UYU 56.5

$6.04 UYU 234

Potato (1kg)

$0.94 UYU 36.22

$2.55 UYU 98.7

Onion (1kg)

$1.20 UYU 46.31

$0.96 UYU 37.20

$2.62 UYU 101

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.36 UYU 52.6

$0.87 UYU 33.79

$2.49 UYU 96.3

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 UYU 65.4

$1.46 UYU 56.5

$2.19 UYU 84.6

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.08 UYU 197

$4.83 UYU 187

$6.04 UYU 234

Wine (Bottle)

$10.32 UYU 399

$5.16 UYU 200

$15.08 UYU 584

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.36 UYU 91.3

$1.49 UYU 57.8

$3.73 UYU 144

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 UYU 112

$1.90 UYU 73.7

$4.42 UYU 171

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.24 UYU 48.11

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.06 UYU 1,706

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.49 UYU 57.7

$1.48 UYU 57.4

$1.86 UYU 71.9

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.50 UYU 57.9

$1.15 UYU 44.69

$4.61 UYU 178

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.94 UYU 424

$15.81 UYU 612

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.88 UYU 72.8

$1.83 UYU 70.8

$2.22 UYU 86.1

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

$34.0K UYU 1.3M

$32.3K UYU 1.3M

$38.9K UYU 1.5M

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

$35.7K UYU 1.4M

$32.0K UYU 1.2M

$38.5K UYU 1.5M

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

$169 UYU 6,551

$84.3 UYU 3,265

$361 UYU 14.0K

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

$16.43 UYU 636

$9.65 UYU 374

$48.27 UYU 1,869

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.59 UYU 1,881

$36.14 UYU 1,399

$65.1 UYU 2,518

Cinema Ticket

$10.50 UYU 406

$8.06 UYU 312

$12.21 UYU 472

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

$485 UYU 18.8K

$366 UYU 14.2K

$805 UYU 31.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,800 UYU 340.7K

$7,251 UYU 280.7K

$11.9K UYU 460.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$93.2 UYU 3,609

$36.64 UYU 1,418

$146 UYU 5,655

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.99 UYU 1,858

$12.34 UYU 478

$74.0 UYU 2,866

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 UYU 4,495

$99.4 UYU 3,848

$150 UYU 5,787

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 UYU 4,709

$84.7 UYU 3,277

$169 UYU 6,554

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: January 10, 2026

San José Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

193

Mbps

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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.