Cost of Living in Uruguay - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Uruguay
Address: UY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,018 per month with rent on average across Uruguay.

A couple spends around $1,616 per month with rent on average across Uruguay.

A family of three spends around $2,214 per month with rent on average across Uruguay.

Across 22 cities in Uruguay, monthly living costs range from $0 to $2,092 – a $2,092 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.96 UYU 675

$11.89 UYU 473

$24.24 UYU 964

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.5 UYU 2,125

$39.74 UYU 1,580

$97.2 UYU 3,864

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.64 UYU 463

$9.91 UYU 394

$13.88 UYU 552

Cappuccino

$4.24 UYU 169

$2.05 UYU 81.3

$6.25 UYU 248

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

$2.32 UYU 92.4

$1.32 UYU 52.6

$3.60 UYU 143

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.78 UYU 70.6

$1.12 UYU 44.63

$2.94 UYU 117

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.92 UYU 156

$2.01 UYU 79.9

$6.27 UYU 249

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 UYU 149

$2.50 UYU 99.4

$6.99 UYU 278

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 UYU 48.28

$1.03 UYU 40.92

$1.69 UYU 67.1

White Bread (500g)

$2.66 UYU 106

$1.70 UYU 67.7

$4.87 UYU 194

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.58 UYU 62.9

$1.07 UYU 42.73

$1.91 UYU 76.1

Eggs

$4.31 UYU 171

$1.95 UYU 77.7

$5.85 UYU 233

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.53 UYU 538

$7.27 UYU 289

$21.56 UYU 857

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.53 UYU 419

$4.88 UYU 194

$14.65 UYU 583

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.08 UYU 440

$7.27 UYU 289

$16.96 UYU 674

Apples (1kg)

$2.88 UYU 114

$1.23 UYU 49.00

$3.71 UYU 147

Banana (1kg)

$2.45 UYU 97.3

$1.49 UYU 59.4

$4.47 UYU 178

Oranges (1kg)

$1.47 UYU 58.6

$0.77 UYU 30.65

$2.90 UYU 115

Tomato (1kg)

$3.25 UYU 129

$1.45 UYU 57.6

$5.52 UYU 220

Potato (1kg)

$2.04 UYU 81.2

$1.00 UYU 39.79

$2.73 UYU 108

Onion (1kg)

$2.09 UYU 83.0

$1.25 UYU 49.87

$2.75 UYU 109

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.32 UYU 52.4

$0.88 UYU 34.95

$1.87 UYU 74.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.73 UYU 68.8

$1.23 UYU 48.81

$2.21 UYU 88.0

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.07 UYU 202

$4.83 UYU 192

$5.79 UYU 230

Wine (Bottle)

$8.21 UYU 327

$5.17 UYU 206

$12.93 UYU 514

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.31 UYU 91.9

$1.69 UYU 67.3

$3.72 UYU 148

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.00 UYU 119

$1.99 UYU 79.3

$4.73 UYU 188

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.20 UYU 47.52

$1.08 UYU 42.85

$1.44 UYU 57.3

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$43.44 UYU 1,727

$57.9 UYU 2,303

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.50 UYU 59.5

$1.86 UYU 74.0

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.57 UYU 62.5

$4.35 UYU 173

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.14 UYU 443

$14.85 UYU 590

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.85 UYU 73.4

$1.78 UYU 70.7

$2.14 UYU 85.0

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

$39.4K UYU 1.6M

$32.8K UYU 1.3M

$39.4K UYU 1.6M

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

$38.8K UYU 1.5M

$38.4K UYU 1.5M

$39.3K UYU 1.6M

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

$142 UYU 5,639

$82.6 UYU 3,282

$344 UYU 13.7K

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

$17.99 UYU 715

$9.97 UYU 396

$49.86 UYU 1,982

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.63 UYU 1,655

$31.25 UYU 1,243

$62.5 UYU 2,485

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$54.9 UYU 2,181

$29.19 UYU 1,161

$97.3 UYU 3,868

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.02 UYU 756

$12.31 UYU 490

$29.55 UYU 1,175

Cinema Ticket

$10.17 UYU 404

$7.35 UYU 292

$12.25 UYU 487

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

$475 UYU 18.9K

$298 UYU 11.9K

$820 UYU 32.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,694 UYU 345.7K

$7,441 UYU 295.8K

$10.4K UYU 414.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$90.4 UYU 3,595

$36.56 UYU 1,453

$139 UYU 5,514

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.93 UYU 1,985

$14.91 UYU 593

$74.6 UYU 2,965

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 UYU 4,643

$75.7 UYU 3,010

$160 UYU 6,380

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$119 UYU 4,730

$74.1 UYU 2,946

$173 UYU 6,873

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$594 UYU 23.6K

$481 UYU 19.1K

$961 UYU 38.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$467 UYU 18.6K

$366 UYU 14.6K

$733 UYU 29.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,027 UYU 40.8K

$704 UYU 28.0K

$2,011 UYU 79.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$788 UYU 31.3K

$586 UYU 23.3K

$1,297 UYU 51.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,270 UYU 130.0K

$1,976 UYU 78.6K

$4,214 UYU 167.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,032 UYU 80.8K

$1,562 UYU 62.1K

$3,804 UYU 151.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,060 UYU 42.2K

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: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $285 nationally. In Montevideo, expect around $615, while Pando – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $337.

The average net salary across Uruguay is $841 – below average monthly costs of $1,018. 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.

Most affordable: Pando at $0 per month. The capital, Montevideo, sits at $1,640. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $2,092 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,018) is 24% below the global median of $1,340.

Average rent ($285) is 54% below the global median of $621.

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		$140	$317	$216	$429	103.49	270.93
2	Atlantida	6000	80	$1,056	$1,593	$2,695	$3,524	127.4	180.73
3	Canelones	19865	54	$966	$1,072	$2,440	$3,447	164.47	287.84
4	Colonia	26231		$586	$1,055	$1,440	$2,348	292.04	155.67
5	Durazno	34372	48	$798	$970	$1,945	$2,067	126.27	215.49
6	Florida	33640	72	$725	$1,465	$1,948	$2,953	81.8	127.69
7	Las Piedras	71268	48	$688	$972	$1,968	$2,103	38.94	172.05
8	Libertad	10166	52	$782	$1,025	$2,076	$2,286	196.23	316.92
9	Maldonado	62592	66	$766	$1,308	$2,312	$2,869	32.65	207.56
10	Mercedes	41975	67	$969	$1,332	$2,242	$2,660	90.18	199.69
11	Minas	38446	52	$943	$1,047	$1,826	$2,219	89.58	160.07
12	Montevideo	1319108	83	$990	$1,640	$2,348	$3,314	39.32	213.53
13	Pando	25949					$592	87.48	220.23
14	Paysandú	76429		$360	$407	$1,113	$1,049	126.42	184.18
15	Piriapolis	8000	71	$794	$1,425	$2,352	$2,885	179.21	181.68
16	Punta del Este	9300	103	$1,138	$2,092	$2,298	$4,542	1.43	169.83
17	Rivera	64485						282.01	271.6
18	Salto	104028	63	$803	$1,249	$1,802	$2,522	25.75	220.76
19	San José	36747	50	$731	$995	$2,015	$2,105	74.27	165.75
20	Tacuarembo	54757		$152	$331	$326	$465	271.39	194.8
21	Treinta y Tres	32259	52	$667	$1,055	$1,671	$2,110	23.04	260.72
22	Trinidad	21429	52	$733	$1,036	$1,898	$2,226	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, $1,000 is plenty. In Montevideo? You'll need to plan carefully, especially around housing. Shared apartments or outer neighborhoods are the usual workarounds.