Last update: Nov 2026 3.4M

Cost of Living in Uruguay

Name: Uruguay
Address: UY

Across Uruguay, living costs for one person average $1,638 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $31 a day.

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🇺🇾 Uruguay

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Uruguay

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Uruguay actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $1,638 per month with rent on average in Uruguay.

$1,638 /mo

A couple spends around $2,500 per month with rent on average in Uruguay.

$2,500 /mo

A family of three spends around $3,362 per month with rent on average in Uruguay.

$3,362 /mo

Across 22 cities in Uruguay, monthly living costs range from $47 to $1,980 – a $1,933 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.53 UYU 664

$9.79 UYU 394

$29.39 UYU 1,181

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.0 UYU 2,130

$37.76 UYU 1,518

$88.1 UYU 3,541

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.47 UYU 501

$11.22 UYU 451

$15.03 UYU 604

Cappuccino

$4.27 UYU 172

$1.96 UYU 78.7

$7.34 UYU 295

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

$2.35 UYU 94.3

$1.28 UYU 51.3

$4.61 UYU 185

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.76 UYU 70.9

$1.14 UYU 45.63

$3.78 UYU 152

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.79 UYU 152

$2.02 UYU 81.2

$7.11 UYU 286

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.65 UYU 147

$2.44 UYU 97.9

$7.30 UYU 293

Milk (1 liter)

$1.23 UYU 49.30

$1.06 UYU 42.73

$2.03 UYU 81.8

White Bread (500g)

$2.61 UYU 105

$1.71 UYU 68.6

$4.27 UYU 171

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.70 UYU 68.3

$1.27 UYU 51.0

$2.12 UYU 85.1

Eggs

$4.35 UYU 175

$2.14 UYU 85.9

$6.72 UYU 270

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.18 UYU 530

$8.68 UYU 349

$19.84 UYU 797

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.37 UYU 417

$6.84 UYU 275

$15.88 UYU 638

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.13 UYU 447

$8.55 UYU 344

$14.66 UYU 589

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 UYU 111

$1.27 UYU 51.1

$3.57 UYU 144

Banana (1kg)

$2.46 UYU 98.9

$1.47 UYU 59.2

$2.96 UYU 119

Oranges (1kg)

$1.51 UYU 60.6

$0.78 UYU 31.27

$2.91 UYU 117

Tomato (1kg)

$3.05 UYU 122

$1.45 UYU 58.3

$4.61 UYU 185

Potato (1kg)

$1.90 UYU 76.5

$0.98 UYU 39.48

$3.03 UYU 122

Onion (1kg)

$2.07 UYU 83.2

$1.23 UYU 49.37

$2.66 UYU 107

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.29 UYU 51.7

$0.95 UYU 38.29

$1.95 UYU 78.6

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 UYU 73.6

$1.13 UYU 45.53

$2.27 UYU 91.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.49 UYU 221

$5.24 UYU 210

$7.48 UYU 301

Wine (Bottle)

$7.42 UYU 298

$3.71 UYU 149

$14.86 UYU 597

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.24 UYU 90.2

$1.14 UYU 45.70

$3.11 UYU 125

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.78 UYU 112

$1.52 UYU 61.0

$4.31 UYU 173

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.50 UYU 60.3

$1.26 UYU 50.5

$1.64 UYU 66.0

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 UYU 3,035

$50.3 UYU 2,023

$81.1 UYU 3,261

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.90 UYU 76.5

$1.80 UYU 72.4

$3.04 UYU 122

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.05 UYU 42.17

$0.36 UYU 14.33

$3.55 UYU 142

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.97 UYU 561

$10.67 UYU 429

$15.97 UYU 642

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.16 UYU 86.7

$1.92 UYU 77.2

$2.38 UYU 95.8

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

$26.9K UYU 1.1M

$25.7K UYU 1.0M

$31.8K UYU 1.3M

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

$36.4K UYU 1.5M

$35.5K UYU 1.4M

$39.3K UYU 1.6M

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

$155 UYU 6,235

$101 UYU 4,058

$303 UYU 12.2K

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

$21.30 UYU 856

$11.34 UYU 456

$30.23 UYU 1,215

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.59 UYU 1,591

$29.52 UYU 1,186

$54.1 UYU 2,175

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.03 UYU 1,809

$29.74 UYU 1,195

$74.4 UYU 2,988

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.21 UYU 772

$12.40 UYU 498

$24.80 UYU 996

Cinema Ticket

$11.02 UYU 443

$6.86 UYU 276

$13.71 UYU 551

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

$581 UYU 23.3K

$396 UYU 15.9K

$873 UYU 35.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,836 UYU 395.3K

$6,020 UYU 241.9K

$13.1K UYU 526.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$87.1 UYU 3,501

$37.19 UYU 1,494

$136 UYU 5,480

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 UYU 2,032

$19.81 UYU 796

$99.1 UYU 3,982

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$119 UYU 4,797

$75.4 UYU 3,028

$188 UYU 7,570

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$110 UYU 4,426

$61.2 UYU 2,461

$171 UYU 6,890

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$695 UYU 27.9K

$501 UYU 20.1K

$997 UYU 40.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$532 UYU 21.4K

$396 UYU 15.9K

$769 UYU 30.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,128 UYU 45.3K

$739 UYU 29.7K

$2,113 UYU 84.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$918 UYU 36.9K

$608 UYU 24.4K

$1,520 UYU 61.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,511 UYU 141.1K

$2,519 UYU 101.2K

$4,329 UYU 174.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,956 UYU 78.6K

$1,581 UYU 63.5K

$2,990 UYU 120.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,097 UYU 44.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.81

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

Last update: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Uruguay $1,638

Accommodation & Living

$532 32.5%

Groceries & Markets

$306 18.7%

Eating Out

$264 16.1%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$216 13.2%

Clothing & Footwear

$165 10.1%

Getting Around

$89 5.4%

Sport & Entertainment

$67 4.1%

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Uruguay is $859 – below average monthly costs of $1,638. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $275 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $49.

Most affordable: Artigas at $47 per month. The capital, Montevideo, sits at $1,764. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $1,933 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($1,638) is 21% above the global median of $1,352.

Public transport ($49) is 48% above the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

03:16 3:16 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

3,444,263

💱 Currency

Uruguayan Peso UYU $U

📈 Exchange rate

100 UYU = 2.49 USD

100 UYU = 2.23 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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		$46.81	$46.81	$93.6	$93.6	103.49	270.93
2	Atlantida	6000	72	$914	$1,506	$2,171	$3,122	127.4	180.73
3	Canelones	19865	95	$929	$1,980	$2,203	$2,383	164.47	287.84
4	Colonia	26231	73	$933	$1,531	$2,243	$3,339	292.04	155.67
5	Durazno	34372	45	$825	$939	$1,961	$2,075	126.27	215.49
6	Florida	33640	62	$839	$1,281	$1,972	$2,655	81.8	127.69
7	Las Piedras	71268	46	$842	$956	$2,068	$2,182	38.94	172.05
8	Libertad	10166	51	$883	$1,070	$2,206	$2,394	196.23	316.92
9	Maldonado	62592	65	$932	$1,361	$2,267	$2,969	32.65	207.56
10	Mercedes	41975	62	$806	$1,285	$2,015	$2,650	90.18	199.69
11	Minas	38446	51	$885	$1,065	$2,214	$2,395	89.58	160.07
12	Montevideo	1319108	85	$1,010	$1,764	$2,481	$3,738	39.32	213.53
13	Pando	25949	48	$881	$994	$2,067	$2,772	87.48	220.23
14	Paysandú	76429		$339	$875	$715	$1,434	126.42	184.18
15	Piriapolis	8000	71	$900	$1,489	$2,264	$3,219	179.21	181.68
16	Punta del Este	9300	89	$928	$1,850	$2,184	$3,503	1.43	169.83
17	Rivera	64485		$221	$221	$642	$642	282.01	271.6
18	Salto	104028	63	$821	$1,315	$1,937	$2,568	25.75	220.76
19	San José	36747	44	$802	$918	$1,880	$1,995	74.27	165.75
20	Tacuarembo	54757		$466	$763	$1,102	$1,400	271.39	194.8
21	Treinta y Tres	32259	50	$694	$1,052	$1,681	$2,175	23.04	260.72
22	Trinidad	21429	48	$883	$997	$2,079	$2,193	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.

In 2026, monthly costs in Uruguay range from $47 in the most affordable city to $1,980 in the most expensive one. Where you choose to live makes a dramatic difference – the gap between cheapest and most expensive cities is huge.

Living costs across Uruguay vary hugely by location. In 2026, monthly expenses range from $47 in affordable regions to $1,980 in major cities.

If you want affordable living in Uruguay, look at Artigas. It offers a real urban experience – restaurants, shops, public transport – at a fraction of capital prices.

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.

Uruguay is mid-range globally, with more affordable cities starting around $47 per month. Not the cheapest option out there, but far from the most expensive – a reasonable balance of cost and quality of life.