If you are looking for a beautiful place to live for a low price, you can’t go wrong with Puerto Rico.
The average cost of living in Puerto Rico is 12% lower than the U.S. average.
However, like any area, some areas are more expensive than others.
Let’s look at the # cheapest cities to live in Puerto Rico.
Cheapest Places to Live in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is generally a cheaper place to live than the U.S.
Rent is 52% cheaper than the U.S. average.
The least expensive cities in Puerto Rico offer a good quality of life on a budget.
The cheapest places to live in Puerto Rico include:
- Hatillo
- Orocovis
- Cabo Rojo
- Gurabo
- Arecibo
- Cayey
- Bayamon
- Ponce
- Isabella
- Dorado
- Carolina
1. Hatillo, Puerto Rico
Cost of Living: $779
Hatillo is the cheapest place to live in Puerto Rico, with an average cost of just $779 for a single person.
A family of four can expect to spend $2137.
The average monthly salary in the city is $1883.
In addition to a low cost of living, Hatillo has a reasonably high quality of life score of 64.
It’s a quiet town with rolling hills and lots of farms.
Hatillo, the dairy capital of Puerto Rico, produces 20% of the municipality’s dairy.
2. Orocovis, Puerto Rico
Cost of Living: $1006
Orocovis has a cost of living of $1006 for a single person and $2595 for a family of four.
A single person can expect to pay $368 for rent, and a family will pay about $563.
The average salary in Orocovis is $2752 per month.
Residents enjoy a quality of life of 66. Orocovis is a mountain community.
It’s known as the heart of Puerto Rico because it’s in the center of the island.
It offers plenty of outdoor adventures with its mountains, four rivers, and two lakes.
3. Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Cost of Living: $1137
Cabo Rojo has an average cost of living of $1137 for a single person and $2717 for a family of four.
Rent and utilities range from $572 to $990.
The average salary in Cabo Rojo is $2731, so you can live comfortably.
The quality of life is 64.
Cabo Rojo is on the southwest coast of the island.
It’s a popular destination for natives, but it’s not well known outside of Puerto Rico.
Residents enjoy pristine beaches and the Boquerón State Forest.
4. Gurabo, Puerto Rico
Cost of Living: $1172
A single person will need about $1172 to live in Gurabo.
A family of ours will pay about $2976 each month.
Rent and utilities average $509 to $983.
You can expect to make $2015 per month in Gurabo.
The quality of life is 67, which is higher than in many Puerto Rican cities.
Gurabo is located in the central-eastern region of the island.
It’s known as the City of the Stairs.
Its namesake comes from 5 sets of stairs located in El Cerro, which is built on a steep hill.
The stairs are a total of 22 stories high and are painted bright red.
The stairs allow locals to access their homes at the top of the hill.
5. Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Cost of Living: $1194
Arecibo’s cost of living is $1194 for a single person and $2964 for a family of four.
Rent and utility costs range from $537 for a small apartment to $1049 for a family home.
The average monthly salary is $2569.
The quality of life is very high, with a rating of 81.
The low cost of living and high quality of life make Arecibo a great place to live.
Arecibo is the third oldest city in Puerto Rico.
It’s known for its limestone hills, caves, and sinkholes.
If you enjoy nature, you can visit caves, beaches, and mountains.
You should check out the Río Grande de Arecibo the Tanamá River, and the Cambalache Forest Park.
6. Cayey, Puerto Rico
Cost of Living: $1203
Cayey has a cost of living of $1203 for a single person and $2924R for a family of four.
Rent is surprisingly inexpensive, ranging from $449 for a one-bedroom home to $649 for a family home.
The average monthly salary is $2785.
The quality of life is 68, which makes it an attractive place to live.
Cayey is located in the mountains of central Puerto Rico on the bank of the Sierra de Cayey.
It’s known as the “green city”.
Cayey’s location in the mountains provides a more temperate climate than most of Puerto Rico.
One of the popular attractions is Guavate.
You’ll find more than a mile of eateries serving up roasted pork.
Traditionally, pigs are roasted whole and cut with machetes.
7. Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Cost of Living: $1213
The cost of living in Bayamon is $1213 for a single person and $3124 for a family of four.
Rent and utilities average $499 for a single person to $1066 for a family.
The average monthly salary is $2635.
The quality of living is 70, which is higher than average.
Bayamon is a suburb of San Juan.
It’s located in the northern coastal valley of Puerto Rico.
Bayamon is known as “fried pig skin city”.
One of the biggest attractions in the city is Luis A. Ferré Science Park.
The park features museums, playgrounds, a zoo, and an observation deck.
It’s the only place outside of the U.S. mainland where you can view NASA rockets.
8. Ponce, Puerto Rico
Cost of Living: 1282
The cost of living in Ponce is $1282 for a single person and $2963 for a family of four.
Rent and utilities typically cost $651 for a small apartment and $1089 for a home for a family of four.
The average salary is $1693 per month, which is lower than some similar cities in Puerto Rico.
The quality of life is 63, which is also on the lower end of the scale.
Ponce is located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico.
It’s known as “the pearl of the south” and the “museum city”.
As the name suggests, Ponce has lots of museums, as well as historical attractions.
It’s the second largest city in Puerto Rico, after San Juan.
Caja de Muertos is a few miles off the coast of Ponce.
It features a cave, lighthouse, beaches, and hiking trails.
9. Isabella, Puerto Rico
Cost of Living: $1273
The cost of living in Isabella, Puerto Rico is $1,273 for a single person and $2893 for a family of four.
Rent and utilities cost an average of $633 for a single person and $911 for a family.
The average salary in Isabella is $2335.
The quality of life is 63, which is a bit lower than most cities on the list.
Isabella is located on the northern coast of Puerto Rico.
Isabella has something for everyone.
You’ll find luxury resorts perfect for a weekend getaway.
The beaches are perfect for snorkeling, surfing, swimming, and sunbathing.
You can also hike and explore the state forest, complete with camping and a lake.
10. Dorado, Puerto Rico
Cost of Living: $1341
Dorado has an average cost of living of $1341 for a single person and $3511 for a family of four.
Rent and utilities average $728 for a single person and $1704 for a family.
The average salary is $1495, which is lower than many cities in Puerto Rico.
The quality of life index is 77, which is impressive.
Dorado translates to “golden”.
The city is located just 15 miles from San Juan.
It offers privacy, luxury, and a slow pace that residents love.
You’ll find golden sandy beaches, luxurious resorts, historic homes, and museums.
11. Carolina, Puerto Rico
Cost of Living: $1496
The average cost of living in Carolina is $1496 for a single person and $3894 for a family of four.
The average cost of rent and utilities is $760 for a single person and $1,611 for a family.
The average monthly salary is $2477.
The quality of life index is 69, which is higher than average.
Carolina is known as “the Land of Giants” because many famous Puerto Ricans came from this area.
It’s home to the largest airport in Puerto Rico.
You’ll find beautiful beaches, museums, and plenty of family-friendly attractions in Carolina.
Puerto Rico Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Puerto Rico Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest area of Puerto Rico?
The cheapest city in Puerto Rico is Hatillo, with an average cost of living of just $779.
Ponce is a popular option as well.
It offers a low cost of living and a thriving city.
Is the Cost of Living in Puerto Rico Lower Than in the U.S.?
Yes, Puerto Rico has a lower cost of living than the U.S.
The overall cost of living in Puerto Rico is 36% less than in the U.S.
Consumer prices are 13% higher in the U.S.
Rent prices are 111% higher in the U.S. than in Puerto Rico.
Why is the Cost of Living Lower in Puerto Rico?
There are a few reasons why Puerto Rico is cheaper than the U.S.
The cities are smaller, which lowers the prices.
Rent is much cheaper in Puerto Rico, possibly due to a lower demand.
Groceries are typically cheaper on the island as well.
However, a few items are more expensive in Puerto Rico.
A gallon of milk in Puerto Rico costs $6.63 in Puerto Rico, compared to $3.49 in the U.S.
What is the Most Expensive City in Puerto Rico?
San Juan has the highest cost of living in Puerto Rico.
It’s the 9th most expensive city in the U.S.
