Globetrotters worldwide are railing against rising rents and seeking lower-cost housing options to enjoy a higher quality of life.
If you’re among the millions of people searching for affordable housing options in low-cost countries like Uruguay, this is the guide for you!
People who relocate to Uruguay from countries like the US are finding some of the cheapest rents in the world.
Uruguay is the home of tons of low-cost cities that provide safe, spacious living options, good schools, and reasonable rents.
Our guide provides an overview of the cheapest places to live in Uruguay based on local costs, including housing, transportation, groceries, healthcare, and leisure.
Contents
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Uruguay
The ten cheapest places to live in Uruguay feature a mix of cities and towns located in the interior of the country and coastal options along the sea and local waterways.
Relocating residents pay lower costs of living due to Uruguay’s favorable exchange rate with currencies like the US dollar.
What Is the Local Currency of Uruguay?
Uruguay’s local currency is the Uruguayan Peso.
One Uruguayan Peso is equal to $0.3 (three cents) of one US Dollar.
Americans looking to get more for their money can find plenty of budget-friendly housing options in Uruguay, with the highly favorable exchange rate between the local Peso and the Dollar that can add up to thousands of dollars in annual cost savings on critical expenses.
Online cost of living reports show that a single person living in Uruguay can expect to spend around $1,202 per month on all expenses, including housing costs.
Costs for a family of four average around $2,934 per month, with all expenses included.
Dive in to learn which of the following towns offers some of the lowest rents in the entire world!
1. Artigas
Artigas, Uruguay, presents an opportunity for singles and families seeking to experience a good quality of life at an affordable cost.
This neighborhood is located in northern Uruguay and provides locals with easy access to cultural amenities that include breathtaking views of the Cuareim River, lively street festivals, and easy access to entertainment and fun in the neighboring country of Brazil.
Costs of living in Artigas are low, and residents can expect to pay an average of around $957 – $2,257 per month to cover all expenses, including rent for families of one to four.
2. Duranzo
Newcomers seeking lower costs of living and a slower-paced quality of life make their homes in the town of Duranzo, Uruguay.
This neighborhood combines affordable costs for living in spacious rental homes and apartments where residents can meet their everyday living expenses for between $1101 – $2,713 per month, including rent.
Duranzo is the home of local museums and historical sites that draw locals and tourists for weekend entertainment.
Costs for leisure, housing, food, groceries, and transportation are lower here than in many US cities, allowing for a good quality of life for relocating residents.
3. Mercedes
Mercedes beckons singles and families seeking an affordable lifestyle with comfortable housing options that include single-family homes with enough space for gardening and budget-friendly apartments at a fraction of the cost of US rentals.
Locals enjoy leisure activities like fishing, exploring historical remnants, and participating in widely celebrated festivals like Carnival.
Mercedes is a well-known trade center that contributes to a robust local economy.
This town is geared more towards family living, where nightlife activities are available but are low-key.
Newcomers can expect to spend between $1,064 – $2,531 per month on all expenses, including rent for family sizes up to four.
4. Melo
Homesteaders seeking to find comfort in Uruguay find cost-friendly housing options and a warm climate in the city of Melo in northern Uruguay.
Expenses for everyday essentials, including housing, groceries, utilities, and entertainment, are substantially lower than costs in most US cities and many other cities within Uruguay.
This town is steeped in history and features historical landmarks that include a still-standing 18th-century cathedral.
Residents of Melo spend an average of $785 – $1,951 per month on all expenditures, making Melo Uruguay one of the cheapest places to live in Uruguay and the world.
5. Maldonado
If you’re seeking an affordable seaside paradise where you can spend less on food, entertainment, housing, and transportation, consider the coastal town of Maldonado, Uruguay, where the land meets the sea.
Maldanado is located on the southern coast of Uruguay with a cost of living that is higher than that of some of the other cheapest cities to settle down in Uruguay, yet still substantially less than the costs of living in most US cities and towns at rates that fall between $989 and $2,603 per month for all expenses including housing.
This pocket-friendly city offers easy access to several local beaches and a unique art installation strategically etched into a local cliffside.
6. Paysandu
Paysandu is another one of Uruguay’s most affordable cities, where residents live along the bans of the Rio Uruguay River.
We find Paysandu in the northwestern section of the country.
It offers a relaxed pace of life and affordable rents on houses with courtyards, apartments, and low costs per square foot for home buyers.
This Uruguayan city is the home of picturesque local beaches, a bustling city center, and a municipal museum that offers glimpses into the past.
Apartment and home renters can expect to pay between $894 and $2,071 to experience a beachside quality of life with all expenses included.
7. Rivera
Rivera Uruguay presents another low-cost living option for home seekers and renters.
Families relocating to this area in northern Uruguay on the border of Brazil pay as little as $894 per month for all expenses, including housing costs for one person.
Larger families living in Rivera can experience a comfortable quality of life with all expenses for around $1,993, much lower than the costs of everyday living expenses with housing included in the US.
Rivera has plenty of options for fun, entertainment, and shopping.
Residents enjoy taking advantage of near duty-free shops for everyday essentials, contributing to even more cost savings.
8. Tacuarembo
Tacuarembo in central Uruguay is an ideal relocation point for families seeking a deep connection with nature and a slower pace of life.
This budget-friendly town features tons of natural amenities that include crystal-clear river views, gorgeous rolling hills, and serene lakes for fishing, swimming, and boating.
This town is known for its authentic cowboy culture.
It may appeal to Westerners seeking a lifestyle that resembles that of American cowboys and ranchers.
Locals enjoy attending events like rodeos, and plenty of residents explore the town on horseback.
Costs of living in Tacuarembo range from $900 – $2,097 per month.
9. Salto
Salto Uruguay is found on the border of Argentina along Rio Uruguay.
This town features sought-after amenities, including natural hot springs, white water rafting, and tours of the local Salto Grande Dam.
Residents spend time meandering through the halls of the Salto Museum, showcasing classical architecture, and at nearby vineyards exploring a local variety of wines.
Salto offers a cost-effective solution for families seeking to relocate to an area where natural beauty abounds, schools are great, and housing costs are lower than the average.
Local renters can expect to pay between $1,047 and $2,568 to cover all expenses, including housing for families ranging from one to four.
10. Florida
Newcomers are surprised to find the high quality of life inside the hidden gem of Florida, Uruguay.
They are also delighted to learn that this family-friendly Uruguayan town shares the name of a well-known US state.
Florida, Uruguay makes the least of the ten cheapest places by providing an affordable and laid-back lifestyle that includes costs ranging between $1,123 – $2,782 for families of one to four.
Residents enjoy spending time in the town’s central square, where local traditions include indulging in leisurely afternoon tea.
The Santa Lucia Chico River offers options for outdoor activities like boating, sunbathing, picnicking, hiking, and observing local wildlife.
Uruguay Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Uruguay Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cheaper is the cost of living in Uruguay compared to the cost of living in the US?
Compiled data in cost of living reports from reputable researchers around the world shows that the costs of living in Uruguay are substantially lower than the costs of living in the US.
Uruguayans pay lower fees for buying homes, renting apartments, and paying for everyday expenses, including transportation, groceries, childcare, and healthcare.
The cities above represent some of the lowest living costs in Uruguay, and the town of Melo Uruguay also makes the list of the cheapest places to live in the world.
Are there good schools in Uruguay?
Parents relocating to Uruguay with children will be happy to learn that the cheapest cities offer low-cost living options and excellent school options.
While the quality of education varies between schools, research suggests that relocating families will have no problems finding quality education in the local public and private schools.
Will I need to learn a new language to live in Uruguay?
Spanish is the official language of Uruguay. People relocating from other countries who are not fluent in the language will likely need to learn basic conversational Spanish to engage with locals and carry out essential everyday activities, including searching for a home, finding work, and enrolling their child in school.
Newcomers should note that towns sharing borders with Brazil and Argentina have residents who speak a mix of Spanish and Portuguese.
