The cost of living in Puerto Rico is, on the whole, significantly lower than that of the US. However, it's still by no means cheap. In Mercer's Cost of Living Survey for 2020, San Juan ranked 66th out of 209 countries, placing it on a par with large cities worldwide such as Sydney and Amsterdam.
Cost of accommodation in Puerto Rico
Expats will find that a large portion of their salary will go towards accommodation in Puerto Rico. Apartments are most common and are cheaper than freestanding houses. As with most places, housing is priciest in city centres and tends to be lower in outlying suburbs. In addition, smaller cities outside of San Juan are generally cheaper than living in the capital.
Cost of healthcare in Puerto Rico
Most expats opt to use private healthcare in Puerto Rico. The cost of this is much less than one would expect, though it's important to be properly insured. Health insurance in Puerto Rico is well known for being affordable but comprehensive.
Cost of education in Puerto Rico
The cost of education in Puerto Rico will vary greatly depending on whether parents send their child to a public or private school. Public schools are free to attend but the language barrier can be difficult to overcome for non-Spanish-speaking families. Private schools are more likely to teach bilingually or in English. Tuition at these schools is pricey though.
Cost of living in Puerto Rico chart
Prices may vary depending on product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for February 2021.
Accommodation (monthly rent) |
|
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre |
1,500 USD |
Three-bedroom apartment outside of city centre |
1,000 USD |
One-bedroom apartment in city centre |
800 USD |
One-bedroom apartment outside of city centre |
600 USD |
Shopping |
|
Eggs (dozen) |
3 USD |
Milk (1 litre) |
1.90 USD |
Rice (1kg) |
2.20 USD |
Loaf of white bread |
2.40 USD |
Chicken breasts (1kg) |
11.50 USD |
Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) |
10 USD |
Eating out |
|
Big Mac Meal |
7 USD |
Coca-Cola (330ml) |
1.30 USD |
Cappuccino |
3 USD |
Bottle of local beer |
3 USD |
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant |
70 USD |
Utilities |
|
Mobile-to-mobile call rate (per minute) |
0.25 USD |
Internet (uncapped ADSL or cable – average per month) |
50 USD |
Basic utilities (per month for small apartment) |
250 USD |
Transportation |
|
Taxi rate (per kilometre) |
2 USD |
Bus/train fare in the city centre |
1.50 USD |
Petrol/gasoline (per litre) |
0.75 USD |