Cost of Living in Uruguay - Updated Prices & Insights

65.52

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $928 (excluding rent), and $1,565 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,268 (excluding rent), and $3,187 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.26 UYU 709

$12.1 UYU 497

$24.66 UYU 1,013

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$54.1 UYU 2,222

$40.2 UYU 1,652

$98.3 UYU 4,040

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.58 UYU 476

$9.86 UYU 405

$13.81 UYU 568

Cappuccino

$4.17 UYU 171

$2.01 UYU 82.5

$6.13 UYU 252

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

$2.32 UYU 95.2

$1.32 UYU 54.2

$3.59 UYU 147

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 UYU 74.3

$1.14 UYU 46.97

$2.99 UYU 123

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.75 UYU 154

$1.92 UYU 79

$5.99 UYU 246

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.7 UYU 152

$2.47 UYU 101

$6.9 UYU 284

Milk (1 liter)

$1.15 UYU 47.42

$0.98 UYU 40.19

$1.6 UYU 65.9

White Bread (500g)

$2.73 UYU 112

$1.75 UYU 71.9

$5.01 UYU 206

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.58 UYU 65.1

$1.08 UYU 44.2

$1.92 UYU 78.8

Eggs

$4.24 UYU 174

$1.92 UYU 79.1

$5.76 UYU 237

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.52 UYU 556

$7.26 UYU 298

$21.54 UYU 885

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.35 UYU 425

$4.8 UYU 197

$14.41 UYU 592

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.04 UYU 454

$7.25 UYU 298

$16.9 UYU 695

Apples (1kg)

$2.84 UYU 117

$1.21 UYU 49.92

$3.65 UYU 150

Banana (1kg)

$2.4 UYU 98.6

$1.46 UYU 60.1

$4.38 UYU 180

Oranges (1kg)

$1.5 UYU 61.8

$0.79 UYU 32.33

$2.96 UYU 121

Tomato (1kg)

$3.33 UYU 137

$1.48 UYU 61

$5.65 UYU 232

Potato (1kg)

$1.94 UYU 79.8

$0.95 UYU 39.08

$2.59 UYU 106

Onion (1kg)

$1.97 UYU 81

$1.18 UYU 48.68

$2.59 UYU 107

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.3 UYU 53.6

$0.87 UYU 35.73

$1.85 UYU 76

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 UYU 69.3

$1.2 UYU 49.16

$2.16 UYU 88.6

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.26 UYU 216

$5 UYU 206

$6 UYU 247

Wine (Bottle)

$7.87 UYU 323

$4.91 UYU 202

$12.29 UYU 505

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.3 UYU 94.7

$1.69 UYU 69.3

$3.71 UYU 152

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.04 UYU 125

$2.02 UYU 83

$4.79 UYU 197

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.19 UYU 48.73

$1.07 UYU 43.93

$1.43 UYU 58.7

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.14 UYU 1,814

$58.9 UYU 2,419

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.45 UYU 59.5

$1.8 UYU 74.1

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.57 UYU 64.4

$4.34 UYU 178

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.87 UYU 447

$14.49 UYU 595

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.86 UYU 76.5

$1.79 UYU 73.7

$2.16 UYU 88.6

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

$39.9K UYU 1.6M

$33.1K UYU 1.4M

$39.9K UYU 1.6M

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

$38.2K UYU 1.6M

$37.8K UYU 1.6M

$38.8K UYU 1.6M

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

$141 UYU 5,774

$81.8 UYU 3,361

$341 UYU 14K

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

$17.36 UYU 713

$9.62 UYU 395

$48.11 UYU 1,977

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$42.95 UYU 1,765

$32.24 UYU 1,325

$64.5 UYU 2,650

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.7 UYU 2,290

$29.65 UYU 1,219

$98.8 UYU 4,062

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.85 UYU 775

$12.2 UYU 501

$29.29 UYU 1,203

Cinema Ticket

$10.32 UYU 424

$7.46 UYU 307

$12.44 UYU 511

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

$460 UYU 18.9K

$289 UYU 11.9K

$795 UYU 32.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,516 UYU 349.9K

$7,288 UYU 299.5K

$10.2K UYU 419.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$91.1 UYU 3,745

$36.84 UYU 1,514

$140 UYU 5,744

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.83 UYU 2,048

$14.88 UYU 611

$74.4 UYU 3,058

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 UYU 4,717

$74.4 UYU 3,058

$158 UYU 6,482

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 UYU 4,749

$72 UYU 2,957

$168 UYU 6,900

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$605 UYU 24.9K

$490 UYU 20.1K

$980 UYU 40.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$473 UYU 19.4K

$370 UYU 15.2K

$741 UYU 30.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,014 UYU 41.7K

$694 UYU 28.5K

$1,984 UYU 81.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$787 UYU 32.3K

$585 UYU 24K

$1,295 UYU 53.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,003 UYU 123.4K

$1,966 UYU 80.8K

$4,327 UYU 177.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,665 UYU 109.5K

$1,869 UYU 76.8K

$3,850 UYU 158.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$972 UYU 39.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

4.3

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

Cost of Living in Uruguay - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Uruguay offers a flexible balance between housing and lifestyle. Across the country you find a friendly pace and stable services that many expats value. Montevideo tends to have more rental options and higher prices, while smaller cities and coast towns can be noticeably cheaper for housing and everyday goods. Shopping at mercados and cooking at home helps keep costs predictable, and the public bus network is generally affordable for daily travel. The beach peak seasons and holiday periods can shift crowds and prices in popular spots. Tip: Start with a short stay in a neighborhood you love to gauge value and fit.

Housing search in Uruguay is often easier with long-term rentals and agent help. Look for furnished apartments in neighborhoods like Pocitos, Cordón, or Carrasco to balance price, safety, and access. Food options include lively mercados, local butcher and fish stalls, plus supermarkets; cooking at home keeps Uruguay living cost predictable, while occasional dining out in plazas can be enjoyable. Public transport is solid in cities with frequent buses; ride-hailing is common, and cycling is growing in several areas. For errands and co-working, plan around local business hours and use small shops for faster service. Tip: Verify lease terms and required deposits with a trusted local before signing.

To maximize quality of life on a budget, use a simple framework: identify essentials, set a housing target, and track what you spend on food and transport month to month. In Uruguay, you often gain value by choosing neighborhood setups that balance walkability and price, rather than chasing the cheapest option. Seasonality matters: coastal towns swell in summer, offering shorter-term deals or coworking promos outside peak months. Neighborhood fit matters for daily life, with Cordón offering cafés and easy transit access, Pocitos giving a beachy vibe, and Carrasco leaning quieter and family-friendly. Tip: test several areas with short stays and talk to locals about the pace, noise, and safety before signing a long lease.