Cost of Living in Uruguay - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Uruguay
Address: UY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,007 per month with rent on average in Uruguay.

A couple spends around $1,613 per month with rent on average in Uruguay.

A family of three spends around $2,218 per month with rent on average in Uruguay.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.43 UYU 701

$12.21 UYU 491

$24.90 UYU 1,002

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.8 UYU 2,165

$40.02 UYU 1,610

$97.9 UYU 3,937

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.56 UYU 465

$9.84 UYU 396

$13.79 UYU 555

Cappuccino

$4.05 UYU 163

$1.95 UYU 78.5

$5.96 UYU 240

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

$2.42 UYU 97.6

$1.38 UYU 55.6

$3.76 UYU 151

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.77 UYU 71.2

$1.12 UYU 44.98

$2.93 UYU 118

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.73 UYU 150

$1.92 UYU 77.1

$5.97 UYU 240

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.76 UYU 151

$2.51 UYU 101

$7.02 UYU 282

Milk (1 liter)

$1.20 UYU 48.34

$1.02 UYU 40.96

$1.67 UYU 67.2

White Bread (500g)

$2.62 UYU 106

$1.68 UYU 67.6

$4.81 UYU 193

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.58 UYU 63.6

$1.07 UYU 43.21

$1.91 UYU 77.0

Eggs

$4.28 UYU 172

$1.94 UYU 78.1

$5.81 UYU 234

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.68 UYU 550

$7.35 UYU 296

$21.79 UYU 877

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.49 UYU 422

$4.87 UYU 196

$14.60 UYU 587

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.24 UYU 452

$7.38 UYU 297

$17.21 UYU 692

Apples (1kg)

$2.81 UYU 113

$1.20 UYU 48.45

$3.62 UYU 146

Banana (1kg)

$2.44 UYU 98.1

$1.49 UYU 59.8

$4.45 UYU 179

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 UYU 61.3

$0.80 UYU 32.08

$3.00 UYU 120

Tomato (1kg)

$3.39 UYU 136

$1.51 UYU 60.7

$5.75 UYU 231

Potato (1kg)

$1.95 UYU 78.3

$0.95 UYU 38.34

$2.60 UYU 104

Onion (1kg)

$2.00 UYU 80.4

$1.20 UYU 48.34

$2.63 UYU 106

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.26 UYU 50.5

$0.84 UYU 33.70

$1.78 UYU 71.7

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 UYU 71.0

$1.25 UYU 50.3

$2.26 UYU 90.8

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.11 UYU 206

$4.86 UYU 196

$5.84 UYU 235

Wine (Bottle)

$7.58 UYU 305

$3.79 UYU 153

$12.63 UYU 508

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.31 UYU 93.1

$1.69 UYU 68.2

$3.72 UYU 150

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 UYU 116

$1.91 UYU 76.8

$4.53 UYU 182

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.19 UYU 47.80

$1.07 UYU 43.09

$1.43 UYU 57.6

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$43.58 UYU 1,753

$58.1 UYU 2,338

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.49 UYU 59.9

$1.85 UYU 74.5

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.57 UYU 63.2

$4.35 UYU 175

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.09 UYU 446

$14.78 UYU 595

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.86 UYU 74.9

$1.79 UYU 72.1

$2.15 UYU 86.7

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

$38.6K UYU 1.6M

$32.1K UYU 1.3M

$38.6K UYU 1.6M

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

$38.9K UYU 1.6M

$38.5K UYU 1.6M

$39.5K UYU 1.6M

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

$140 UYU 5,643

$81.7 UYU 3,285

$340 UYU 13.7K

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

$17.53 UYU 705

$9.71 UYU 391

$48.57 UYU 1,954

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.19 UYU 1,738

$32.42 UYU 1,304

$64.9 UYU 2,609

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$54.5 UYU 2,191

$28.97 UYU 1,166

$96.6 UYU 3,885

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.20 UYU 772

$12.43 UYU 500

$29.83 UYU 1,200

Cinema Ticket

$10.33 UYU 416

$7.47 UYU 301

$12.45 UYU 501

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

$474 UYU 19.1K

$298 UYU 12.0K

$818 UYU 32.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,485 UYU 341.3K

$7,262 UYU 292.1K

$10.2K UYU 409.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$91.6 UYU 3,683

$37.01 UYU 1,489

$140 UYU 5,649

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.18 UYU 1,979

$14.69 UYU 591

$73.5 UYU 2,955

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 UYU 4,599

$74.1 UYU 2,981

$157 UYU 6,319

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$119 UYU 4,779

$74.0 UYU 2,976

$173 UYU 6,944

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$607 UYU 24.4K

$491 UYU 19.8K

$983 UYU 39.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$475 UYU 19.1K

$372 UYU 15.0K

$745 UYU 30.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,039 UYU 41.8K

$712 UYU 28.6K

$2,033 UYU 81.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$798 UYU 32.1K

$593 UYU 23.8K

$1,313 UYU 52.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,463 UYU 139.3K

$2,025 UYU 81.5K

$4,350 UYU 175.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,070 UYU 83.3K

$1,559 UYU 62.7K

$3,798 UYU 152.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,104 UYU 44.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

4.3

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

Last update: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Uruguay is $863 – below average monthly costs of $1,007. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $227 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $44.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,007) is 25% below the global median of $1,336.

Average rent ($286) is 55% below the global median of $631.

By City in Uruguay

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Artigas	40658		$131	$311	$263	$426	103.49	270.93
2	Atlantida	6000	80	$1,111	$1,570	$2,313	$3,525	127.4	180.73
3	Canelones	19865	54	$843	$1,048	$2,245	$3,472	164.47	287.84
4	Colonia	26231		$465	$1,041	$1,637	$2,347	292.04	155.67
5	Durazno	34372	48	$878	$950	$1,955	$2,028	126.27	215.49
6	Florida	33640	72	$851	$1,447	$2,278	$2,944	81.8	127.69
7	Las Piedras	71268	48	$850	$969	$1,901	$2,113	38.94	172.05
8	Libertad	10166	52	$849	$1,009	$2,345	$2,270	196.23	316.92
9	Maldonado	62592	66	$1,004	$1,299	$2,004	$2,933	32.65	207.56
10	Mercedes	41975	67	$978	$1,330	$2,189	$2,710	90.18	199.69
11	Minas	38446	52	$915	$1,020	$2,335	$2,247	89.58	160.07
12	Montevideo	1319108	82	$1,087	$1,667	$2,302	$3,354	39.32	213.53
13	Pando	25949		$17.65	$13.98	$23.25	$613	87.48	220.23
14	Paysandú	76429		$471	$407	$887	$1,053	126.42	184.18
15	Piriapolis	8000	71	$806	$1,402	$2,025	$2,883	179.21	181.68
16	Punta del Este	9300	103	$1,086	$2,031	$2,927	$4,498	1.43	169.83
17	Rivera	64485						282.01	271.6
18	Salto	104028	63	$805	$1,273	$2,040	$2,464	25.75	220.76
19	San José	36747	50	$816	$976	$1,774	$2,108	74.27	165.75
20	Tacuarembo	54757		$175	$330	$268	$458	271.39	194.8
21	Treinta y Tres	32259	52	$740	$1,021	$1,555	$2,099	23.04	260.72
22	Trinidad	21429	52	$935	$1,035	$2,083	$2,246	131.69	186.92

Uruguay Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.

Uruguay falls in the middle globally – not a bargain destination, not an expensive one. Costs vary a lot by region, which means it works for a wide range of incomes and lifestyles depending on where you settle.

Rent in Uruguay varies a lot – Montevideo has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.

In regional cities, $1,500 is plenty. In Montevideo? You'll need to plan carefully, especially around housing. Shared apartments or outer neighborhoods are the usual workarounds.