Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $926 (excluding rent), and $1,538 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,305 (excluding rent), and $3,226 including rent.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.92UYUย 655
$11.86UYUย 459
$24.18UYUย 936
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.4UYUย 2,106
$40.45UYUย 1,566
$98.9UYUย 3,830
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.46UYUย 443
$9.75UYUย 377
$13.66UYUย 529
Cappuccino
$4.20UYUย 163
$2.02UYUย 78.4
$6.19UYUย 239
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39UYUย 92.6
$1.36UYUย 52.8
$3.70UYUย 143
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77UYUย 68.5
$1.12UYUย 43.30
$2.93UYUย 113
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.78UYUย 146
$1.94UYUย 75.2
$6.05UYUย 234
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.64UYUย 141
$2.43UYUย 94.0
$6.79UYUย 263
๐ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21UYUย 46.72
$1.02UYUย 39.59
$1.68UYUย 64.9
White Bread(500g)
$2.61UYUย 101
$1.67UYUย 64.7
$4.78UYUย 185
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.61UYUย 62.2
$1.09UYUย 42.26
$1.95UYUย 75.3
Eggs
$4.35UYUย 168
$1.97UYUย 76.3
$5.90UYUย 229
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.84UYUย 536
$7.43UYUย 288
$22.05UYUย 854
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.49UYUย 406
$4.87UYUย 188
$14.60UYUย 565
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.04UYUย 427
$7.25UYUย 280
$16.90UYUย 654
Apples(1kg)
$2.78UYUย 108
$1.19UYUย 46.12
$3.58UYUย 139
Banana(1kg)
$2.37UYUย 91.9
$1.45UYUย 56.1
$4.33UYUย 168
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51UYUย 58.4
$0.79UYUย 30.56
$2.97UYUย 115
Tomato(1kg)
$3.28UYUย 127
$1.46UYUย 56.6
$5.57UYUย 216
Potato(1kg)
$1.95UYUย 75.3
$0.95UYUย 36.92
$2.60UYUย 101
Onion(1kg)
$2.08UYUย 80.6
$1.25UYUย 48.42
$2.74UYUย 106
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.32UYUย 51.0
$0.88UYUย 33.98
$1.87UYUย 72.3
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.75UYUย 67.9
$1.24UYUย 48.16
$2.24UYUย 86.8
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.15UYUย 199
$4.90UYUย 190
$5.88UYUย 228
Wine(Bottle)
$8.92UYUย 345
$5.26UYUย 203
$13.14UYUย 508
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.29UYUย 88.8
$1.68UYUย 65.0
$3.69UYUย 143
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99UYUย 116
$1.99UYUย 76.9
$4.71UYUย 182
๐ Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.20UYUย 46.64
$1.09UYUย 42.05
$1.45UYUย 56.2
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$43.81UYUย 1,696
$43.81UYUย 1,696
$58.4UYUย 2,262
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.43UYUย 55.6
$1.43UYUย 55.6
$1.79UYUย 69.2
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.51UYUย 58.3
$1.51UYUย 58.3
$4.17UYUย 161
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.89UYUย 422
$10.89UYUย 422
$14.51UYUย 562
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.94UYUย 75.2
$1.87UYUย 72.4
$2.25UYUย 87.0
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.5KUYUย 1.5M
$32.0KUYUย 1.2M
$38.5KUYUย 1.5M
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.0KUYUย 1.5M
$37.6KUYUย 1.5M
$38.6KUYUย 1.5M
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146UYUย 5,637
$84.8UYUย 3,281
$353UYUย 13.7K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.74UYUย 687
$9.83UYUย 381
$49.17UYUย 1,903
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.98UYUย 1,664
$32.26UYUย 1,249
$64.5UYUย 2,498
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.9UYUย 2,125
$29.21UYUย 1,131
$97.4UYUย 3,769
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.59UYUย 719
$12.03UYUย 466
$28.88UYUย 1,118
Cinema Ticket
$9.97UYUย 386
$7.21UYUย 279
$12.01UYUย 465
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$461UYUย 17.8K
$289UYUย 11.2K
$796UYUย 30.8K
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,422UYUย 326.0K
$7,207UYUย 279.0K
$10.1KUYUย 390.6K
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.8UYUย 3,475
$36.29UYUย 1,405
$138UYUย 5,330
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.39UYUย 1,912
$14.75UYUย 571
$73.8UYUย 2,855
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118UYUย 4,558
$76.3UYUย 2,955
$162UYUย 6,264
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117UYUย 4,531
$72.9UYUย 2,822
$170UYUย 6,584
๐ Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$593UYUย 23.0K
$480UYUย 18.6K
$960UYUย 37.2K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$475UYUย 18.4K
$372UYUย 14.4K
$745UYUย 28.8K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,010UYUย 39.1K
$692UYUย 26.8K
$1,976UYUย 76.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$792UYUย 30.7K
$589UYUย 22.8K
$1,304UYUย 50.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,467UYUย 134.2K
$2,565UYUย 99.3K
$4,296UYUย 166.3K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,066UYUย 80.0K
$1,533UYUย 59.3K
$3,781UYUย 146.4K
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,054UYUย 40.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.45
4.3
15
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: January 11, 2026
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cost of Living in Uruguay - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability in Uruguay stack up for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
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.
What does daily life look like, including housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Housing search in Uruguay is often easier with long-term rentals and agent help. Look for furnished apartments in neighborhoods like Pocitos, Cordรณn, 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.
What are practical budgeting approaches and neighborhood options to maximize quality of life in Uruguay?
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 Cordรณn offering cafรฉs 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.