Cost of Living in Puerto Rico
The cost of living in Puerto Rico is generally lower than the US national average, though this is offset by high utility rates and imported goods prices. While housing can be affordable in rural areas, popular hubs like San Juan have seen significant price increases in recent years.
Overview text is model-generated; see the note below.
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Monthly Cost Estimate
excluding rent
including 1-bedroom rent
Single person in Puerto Rico. Totals are the sum of the category ranges below (low ends added together, high ends added together), so a real budget usually falls somewhere in between.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Housing & Rent
$750 – $1,600
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment, ranging from rural areas to San Juan's city center.
Food & Groceries
$450 – $700
Monthly grocery expenses and moderate dining at local 'chinchorros' and restaurants.
Transportation
$150 – $350
Costs for vehicle maintenance, fuel, and limited public transit options in San Juan.
Utilities
$250 – $450
Monthly costs for electricity (notably high), water, and high-speed internet.
Healthcare
$100 – $250
Private health insurance premiums and typical out-of-pocket co-pays.
Entertainment
$200 – $400
Gym memberships, beach activities, and evening entertainment in tourist hubs.
Build your own monthly budget
Starts at the midpoint of each estimate for Puerto Rico. Type your own amounts to see your total and annual figure. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Estimate: $750 – $1,600
Estimate: $450 – $700
Estimate: $150 – $350
Estimate: $250 – $450
Estimate: $100 – $250
Estimate: $200 – $400
Yearly: $2,825 × 12 = $33,900. Excludes taxes, debt payments, savings, childcare, education, car ownership and one-off costs such as deposits or moving.
New to ranges? Read how to turn these estimates into a personal budget.
Comfortable Living
Estimated monthly spending for a comfortable lifestyle in Puerto Rico, with regular dining out and leisure:
Including rent • Single person • Excludes income tax and savings • A separate model estimate, not derived from the category totals above
Frequently Asked Questions about Puerto Rico
The first answer is calculated from the figures on this page. The others are model-generated text; answers that quoted older dollar figures are hidden so they cannot contradict the totals above.