How Much Does It Cost to Live In Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island that, unfortunately, recently was battered by Hurricane Maria, which caused widespread destruction.
If you want to save up, most likely you will have to live outside the metropolitan area.
The amount of money you will spend in this country largely depends on many factors: for example, if you want to live in the so-called Metro area, the rent will eat up your budget.
Another thing is transport: in Puerto Rico, it’s really hard to get around without a car.
So think thoroughly about all these factors before you make a decision but if you want to live on a budget, it’s definitely possible too.
Puerto Rico : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Prices in Puerto Rico are actually higher than in the U.S.A.
The good thing lies in the fact that you can go to many local “kioskos” kiosks and for 2$ buy yourself some delicious fritters and soda.
There are also many bars offering cheap beers and drinks: there’s lots of drinking here since Puerto Ricans enjoy music and drinking on beaches.
Domestic beer will cost you only 2.50$.
MARKETS
Many foods and fresh produce in supermarkets are imported, and they can only come from the mainland U.S. because of Puerto Rico’s status and laws in the books that still persist today.
The price for milk, eggs, and other local goods is regulated by the local government and is fixed at prices higher than in many U.S. destinations.
TRANSPORTATION
Owning a vehicle in Puerto Rico means taxes and government fees, and the cost to maintain them is higher given the humidity and the weather conditions on the roads (potholes, etc).
Gas is slightly more expensive than in the mainland states.
As for public transportation, only the city area offers decent public transportation, but if you need to go outside of that – you’re out of luck.
A one-way ticket for public transport costs 1.50$.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
The power utility company has a monopoly on the island so the utilities are actually through the roof.
Internet service is also relatively expensive, costing around 62$ per month for 8 or 10mbps.
Electricity is super expensive (nearly 230$ for an 85m2 apartment), so most houses don’t have A.C. and if they do, they’re usually located in their bedrooms.
Apart from the fact that electricity is so expensive, blackouts happen constantly.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Entertainment is slightly cheaper in comparison to everything else, though it depends largely on where you go and what you like to do, of course.
Going to the movies for example is relatively cheap, with one ticket costing around 8$.
If you like to spend your free time in a gym or a fitness club, your monthly fee will be around 37$.
CLOTHING & SHOES
If you want to spend your free time in a shopping mall – there are plenty of those in Puerto Rico!
There are also many shops on its streets, and the best part is that the prices of clothing are very low.
You’ll be able to buy quality jeans for around 45$, while quality running sneakers cost a bit more – around 80$ a pair.
RENT PER MONTH
Compared to everything else, the prices of rent are not exactly through the roof.
Of course, they vary from city to city and region to region, but all in all, you’ll be able to get a decent place for around 550$.
If you want to go closer to the center of any of the major cities, the prices go up and it will cost you around 893.2$, and if you have your family with you – a larger apartment will cost you 1,581.40$.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Puerto Rico
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $13.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $2.50 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.22 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.79 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $2.64 |
| Eggs (12) | $3.51 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $1.50 |
| Monthly Pass | $60.00 |
| Gasoline | $0.97 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $225.27 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.13 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $61.37 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $36.39 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $20.16 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $8.00 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $45.29 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $43.77 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $82.74 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $893.2 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $539.34 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1581.40 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Puerto Rico?
Food is a considerable expense for the people living in Puerto Rico, taking up more than 36% of one’s salary.
This is normal for most countries of the world.
The second biggest expense in Puerto Rico is the rent, though they aren’t that expensive, compared with other prices in the country.
Restaurants are always in the top four most significant expenses because there are many people who eat in them three times a day.
Transportation is also an everyday necessity for most people so it’s no wonder that 10% of one’s income is spent on buses, trains, and trams.
Clothing takes up the least of an average person’s income, as in most countries.
Average Costs Breakdown
Puerto Rico: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Salaries are, however, a great surprise given how high they are!
With an average salary of around 1800$, people of Puerto Rico can live relatively comfortably, even with the high prices throughout the country.
Even though the rent is high and the utilities are through the roof, most people can afford to pay them and still have something left on the side.
The minimum wage in Puerto Rico is around 1100$, and even with the minimum wage, most people can afford all basic expenses.
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
Cost of Living by City in Puerto Rico
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| San Juan | 65.79 |
These average salaries are monthly not annually?
Yes, monthly.
Unbelievable
These cost of living prices are not up to date. You need to revise everything. I paid 8.25 for a dozen medium sized eggs this week in a local supermarket. All food prices are up. Gas is also up to 1.08 a liter. Housing cost in a nice neighborhood run from 1000 to 2500 depending on size. Private schools cost is also up.
Restaurants can cost you from 15.00 to 75.00 per person depending again on location
Cost of Living is Higher than Indicated Here
These prices seem to have not been updated in a while. Things are significantly more expensive as of the time I’m writing this comment (December, 2022) and they seem to only be going up. Eggs, as a previous commenter mentioned are close to $8-$9 a dozen nowadays. Everything else has slowly gone up in price as well, bht I guess eggs are the most drastic increase in my opinion. Rent in the metro area is upwards of $600/month for a 1 bedroom as well, unfortunately.
Employers don't care
8.50 is not a livable wage by any standards. With just rent it’s 600 to 700/month if you are lucky. The exorbitant utilities cost for the worst service. No way 1800 is enough. If wages were to go up by say…10 dollars for a minimum of 18.50/hour that would be a decent wage for all the people that are just trying live their lives. Not that any employers on that God forsaken island care about their employees.
Living in Puerto Rico is BRUTAL… our general income is way lower than the minimum. Most of Puertorricans are living paycheck to paycheck and can barely cover basic necessities even with higher educational titles such as masters degrees and bachelors.