Cost of Living in San Juan - Updated Prices & Insights

76.13

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,034 (excluding rent), and $2,366 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,630 (excluding rent), and $4,608 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.17 $19.17

$12.11 $12.11

$26.96 $26.96

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.6 $80.6

$55.7 $55.7

$124 $124

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.73 $9.73

$9.1 $9.1

$12.13 $12.13

Cappuccino

$3.52 $3.52

$1.96 $1.96

$6.85 $6.85

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

$1.71 $1.71

$1.47 $1.47

$2.7 $2.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.44 $1.44

$1.22 $1.22

$2.03 $2.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.01 $3.01

$2.01 $2.01

$5.02 $5.02

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.53 $4.53

$3.52 $3.52

$6.54 $6.54

Milk (1 liter)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.89 $1.89

$4.11 $4.11

White Bread (500g)

$3.48 $3.48

$2.98 $2.98

$4.04 $4.04

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.25 $2.25

$1.42 $1.42

$2.73 $2.73

Eggs

$5.87 $5.87

$3.51 $3.51

$9.35 $9.35

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.03 $9.03

$4.05 $4.05

$20.32 $20.32

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.62 $8.62

$6.72 $6.72

$19.3 $19.3

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.87 $12.87

$8.08 $8.08

$33.4 $33.4

Apples (1kg)

$5.92 $5.92

$3.7 $3.7

$7.04 $7.04

Banana (1kg)

$2.64 $2.64

$1.87 $1.87

$4.35 $4.35

Oranges (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$2.71 $2.71

$6.49 $6.49

Tomato (1kg)

$4 $4

$0.97 $0.97

$8.7 $8.7

Potato (1kg)

$4.07 $4.07

$2.54 $2.54

$5.11 $5.11

Onion (1kg)

$2.95 $2.95

$1.93 $1.93

$4.98 $4.98

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.13 $3.13

$2.05 $2.05

$6.16 $6.16

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2 $2

$0.72 $0.72

$3.07 $3.07

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.17 $12.17

$11.15 $11.15

$14.2 $14.2

Wine (Bottle)

$16.38 $16.38

$13.9 $13.9

$18.86 $18.86

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.98 $1.98

$2.83 $2.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.14 $2.14

$4.39 $4.39

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.29 $1.29

$1.54 $1.54

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.55 $29.55

$24.62 $24.62

$39.4 $39.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.02 $1.02

$2.05 $2.05

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$15.22 $15.22

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.81 $0.81

$0.99 $0.99

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

$36.2K $36.2K

$35.2K $35.2K

$42.2K $42.2K

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

$26.7K $26.7K

$25.1K $25.1K

$30.1K $30.1K

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

$488 $488

$301 $301

$701 $701

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

$78.9 $78.9

$49.8 $49.8

$99.6 $99.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.9 $74.9

$60.9 $60.9

$122 $122

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.09 $46.09

$15.03 $15.03

$100 $100

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.53 $34.53

$29.6 $29.6

$39.46 $39.46

Cinema Ticket

$12.12 $12.12

$7.57 $7.57

$14.14 $14.14

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

$463 $463

$296 $296

$591 $591

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.5K $10.5K

$6,056 $6,056

$35.3K $35.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.43 $46.43

$25.34 $25.34

$60.8 $60.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.2 $55.2

$26.52 $26.52

$68.8 $68.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.4 $91.4

$60.3 $60.3

$151 $151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 $106

$80 $80

$160 $160

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,573 $1,573

$847 $847

$2,990 $2,990

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$866 $866

$730 $730

$1,007 $1,007

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,387 $2,387

$1,293 $1,293

$3,481 $3,481

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,428 $1,428

$965 $965

$2,640 $2,640

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,882 $4,882

$3,506 $3,506

$5,662 $5,662

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,748 $2,748

$2,130 $2,130

$3,195 $3,195

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,242 $2,242

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.71

7.35

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

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Cost of Living in San Juan - Frequently Asked Questions

San Juan offers a mix of value and convenience, with some neighborhoods offering easy access to amenities while others lean tourist-focused and pricier. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, affordability hinges on location, lifestyle, and season. You can stretch your budget by choosing walkable areas with grocery access, using co-working spaces, and cooking at home rather than eating out every day. Cost of Living in San Juan, Puerto Rico can be more approachable when you pick non-touristy zones and favor local services over premium options. Tip: Map your weekly routines to identify neighborhoods that balance work, food markets, and leisure near transport hubs.

Daily life revolves around flexible housing options, seasonal events, and a mix of casual eateries and home cooking. When you search for housing, consider apartments with transit access, safety, and natural light in areas like Santurce or Condado for nightlife or beach proximity, or quieter pockets near Old San Juan for culture. For food, you’ll find markets and colmados offering fresh produce and pantry staples; transit includes buses and rideshares; errands can be walkable in compact neighborhoods. San Juan, Puerto Rico living cost varies by neighborhood and routine, so tailor your budget to your regular activities. Tip: start with a short-term rental to test neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life hinges on finding a neighborhood that matches your pace, climate tolerance, and daily routines. Use a simple budgeting framework: allocate housing, food, transport, and leisure, then add a safety buffer. Seasonality matters – slower months in some areas can ease rents or flexibility in leases, while festival seasons may bring crowds and noise. Prioritize walkability, access to groceries, and reliable Wi‑Fi for work or study as a nomad. Compare neighborhoods by commute times and social vibe, not just sticker price. Tip: opt for a flexible lease during the first month to test fits, and switch to a longer-term plan once you know your rhythm.