Cost of Living in Uruguay - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Uruguay
Address: UY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,013 per month with rent on average across Uruguay.

A couple spends around $1,619 per month with rent on average across Uruguay.

A family of three spends around $2,225 per month with rent on average across Uruguay.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.40 UYU 692

$12.20 UYU 485

$24.86 UYU 989

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.3 UYU 2,120

$39.62 UYU 1,576

$96.9 UYU 3,855

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.72 UYU 466

$9.97 UYU 397

$13.97 UYU 556

Cappuccino

$4.13 UYU 164

$1.99 UYU 79.2

$6.08 UYU 242

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

$2.43 UYU 96.5

$1.38 UYU 55.0

$3.76 UYU 149

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 UYU 72.8

$1.16 UYU 46.01

$3.03 UYU 120

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.71 UYU 147

$1.90 UYU 75.6

$5.93 UYU 236

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 UYU 149

$2.50 UYU 99.5

$6.99 UYU 278

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 UYU 48.27

$1.03 UYU 40.90

$1.69 UYU 67.1

White Bread (500g)

$2.60 UYU 104

$1.67 UYU 66.3

$4.77 UYU 190

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.58 UYU 62.7

$1.07 UYU 42.57

$1.91 UYU 75.9

Eggs

$4.36 UYU 174

$1.98 UYU 78.8

$5.93 UYU 236

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.88 UYU 552

$7.46 UYU 297

$22.13 UYU 880

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.60 UYU 422

$4.92 UYU 196

$14.76 UYU 587

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.31 UYU 450

$7.43 UYU 295

$17.32 UYU 689

Apples (1kg)

$2.80 UYU 111

$1.20 UYU 47.65

$3.60 UYU 143

Banana (1kg)

$2.47 UYU 98.2

$1.50 UYU 59.9

$4.50 UYU 179

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 UYU 60.3

$0.79 UYU 31.59

$2.98 UYU 119

Tomato (1kg)

$3.40 UYU 135

$1.51 UYU 60.2

$5.77 UYU 229

Potato (1kg)

$2.01 UYU 80.1

$0.99 UYU 39.26

$2.69 UYU 107

Onion (1kg)

$2.01 UYU 80.0

$1.21 UYU 48.07

$2.64 UYU 105

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.26 UYU 50.3

$0.84 UYU 33.53

$1.79 UYU 71.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 UYU 69.2

$1.23 UYU 49.06

$2.22 UYU 88.5

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.03 UYU 200

$4.79 UYU 191

$5.75 UYU 229

Wine (Bottle)

$7.78 UYU 309

$4.90 UYU 195

$12.24 UYU 487

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.29 UYU 91.2

$1.68 UYU 66.8

$3.69 UYU 147

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 UYU 115

$1.92 UYU 76.4

$4.55 UYU 181

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.19 UYU 47.21

$1.07 UYU 42.57

$1.43 UYU 56.9

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.75 UYU 1,780

$59.7 UYU 2,374

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.46 UYU 58.0

$1.82 UYU 72.3

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.56 UYU 61.9

$4.31 UYU 171

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.18 UYU 445

$14.90 UYU 593

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.88 UYU 75.0

$1.82 UYU 72.2

$2.18 UYU 86.8

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

$39.5K UYU 1.6M

$32.8K UYU 1.3M

$39.5K UYU 1.6M

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

$38.1K UYU 1.5M

$37.7K UYU 1.5M

$38.6K UYU 1.5M

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

$144 UYU 5,747

$84.1 UYU 3,345

$350 UYU 13.9K

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

$17.46 UYU 695

$9.67 UYU 385

$48.38 UYU 1,925

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.52 UYU 1,652

$31.17 UYU 1,240

$62.3 UYU 2,480

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.5 UYU 2,209

$29.55 UYU 1,176

$98.5 UYU 3,918

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.96 UYU 754

$12.27 UYU 488

$29.46 UYU 1,172

Cinema Ticket

$9.96 UYU 396

$7.20 UYU 286

$12.00 UYU 477

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

$474 UYU 18.9K

$298 UYU 11.8K

$819 UYU 32.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,715 UYU 346.7K

$7,458 UYU 296.7K

$10.4K UYU 415.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$89.1 UYU 3,543

$36.00 UYU 1,432

$137 UYU 5,434

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.64 UYU 1,935

$14.52 UYU 578

$72.6 UYU 2,889

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$118 UYU 4,687

$76.4 UYU 3,039

$162 UYU 6,441

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 UYU 4,596

$72.0 UYU 2,862

$168 UYU 6,678

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$596 UYU 23.7K

$483 UYU 19.2K

$965 UYU 38.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$463 UYU 18.4K

$363 UYU 14.4K

$726 UYU 28.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,039 UYU 41.3K

$712 UYU 28.3K

$2,034 UYU 80.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$779 UYU 31.0K

$578 UYU 23.0K

$1,281 UYU 51.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,329 UYU 132.4K

$2,012 UYU 80.0K

$4,290 UYU 170.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,994 UYU 79.3K

$1,532 UYU 61.0K

$3,733 UYU 148.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,073 UYU 42.7K

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 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $286 nationally. In Montevideo, expect around $626, while Pando – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $338.

The average net salary across Uruguay is $839 – below average monthly costs of $1,013. 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 ($1,013) is 24% below the global median of $1,339.

Average rent ($286) is 54% below the global median of $625.

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		$128	$309	$220	$419	103.49	270.93
2	Atlantida	6000	80	$1,034	$1,609	$2,577	$3,477	127.4	180.73
3	Canelones	19865	54	$778	$1,055	$2,436	$3,551	164.47	287.84
4	Colonia	26231		$519	$1,044	$1,482	$2,336	292.04	155.67
5	Durazno	34372	48	$745	$972	$2,005	$2,081	126.27	215.49
6	Florida	33640	72	$805	$1,421	$2,245	$2,920	81.8	127.69
7	Las Piedras	71268	48	$685	$962	$1,767	$2,104	38.94	172.05
8	Libertad	10166	52	$912	$1,013	$2,188	$2,289	196.23	316.92
9	Maldonado	62592	66	$934	$1,336	$2,044	$2,859	32.65	207.56
10	Mercedes	41975	67	$930	$1,306	$2,156	$2,745	90.18	199.69
11	Minas	38446	52	$937	$1,045	$2,336	$2,271	89.58	160.07
12	Montevideo	1319108	83	$977	$1,677	$2,398	$3,353	39.32	213.53
13	Pando	25949					$578	87.48	220.23
14	Paysandú	76429		$408	$417	$1,086	$1,044	126.42	184.18
15	Piriapolis	8000	71	$952	$1,402	$1,856	$2,940	179.21	181.68
16	Punta del Este	9300	103	$1,050	$2,066	$2,301	$4,542	1.43	169.83
17	Rivera	64485						282.01	271.6
18	Salto	104028	63	$720	$1,267	$2,081	$2,485	25.75	220.76
19	San José	36747	50	$723	$998	$1,835	$2,124	74.27	165.75
20	Tacuarembo	54757		$139	$332	$324	$465	271.39	194.8
21	Treinta y Tres	32259	52	$743	$1,046	$1,597	$2,092	23.04	260.72
22	Trinidad	21429	52	$943	$1,019	$2,253	$2,270	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.