Cost of living in Puerto Rico compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 48% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Puerto Rico is 48% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $17 (¥2,432) | ¥1,013 | + 140% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (¥1,462) | ¥808 | + 81% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.53 (¥645) | ¥613 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.31 (¥329) | ¥220 | + 49% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $6 (¥909) | ¥323 | + 181% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.08 (¥581) | ¥613 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $9 (¥1,287) | ¥1,107 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.72 (¥530) | ¥766 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.28 (¥325) | ¥468 | - 31% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.72 (¥387) | ¥304 | + 27% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $20 (¥2,797) | ¥1,290 | + 117% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.50 (¥214) | ¥218 | - 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.43 (¥346) | ¥191 | + 81% | |
| Housing | + 34% | |||
| Housing in Puerto Rico is 34% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,558 (¥364,188) | ¥365,082 | - 0% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,284 (¥182,876) | ¥197,136 | - 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $284 (¥40,429) | ¥19,132 | + 111% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,814 (¥258,296) | ¥156,916 | + 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,005 (¥143,050) | ¥102,459 | + 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $337 (¥48,044) | ¥8,349 | + 475% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $44 (¥6,228) | ¥4,448 | + 40% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $331 (¥47,070) | ¥74,559 | - 37% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $208 (¥29,632) | ¥25,414 | + 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (¥1,519) | ¥1,338 | + 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $31 (¥4,397) | ¥2,815 | + 56% | |
| Clothes | + 39% | |||
| Clothes in Puerto Rico is 39% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $61 (¥8,660) | ¥8,708 | - 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 (¥7,177) | ¥5,103 | + 41% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $132 (¥18,857) | ¥9,892 | + 91% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $174 (¥24,806) | ¥12,189 | + 104% | |
| Transportation | + 56% | |||
| Transportation in Puerto Rico is 56% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $37,510 (¥5,340,833) | ¥3,007,320 | + 78% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.85 (¥122) | ¥174 | - 30% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $100 (¥14,245) | ¥8,198 | + 74% | |
| Personal Care | + 19% | |||
| Personal Care in Puerto Rico is 19% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $11 (¥1,510) | ¥2,133 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 (¥2,015) | ¥2,551 | - 21% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $70 (¥9,910) | ¥6,000 | + 65% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $11 (¥1,511) | ¥1,337 | + 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $7 (¥965) | ¥930 | + 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $9 (¥1,343) | ¥622 | + 116% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.28 (¥610) | ¥224 | + 172% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $4.25 (¥605) | ¥188 | + 223% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $33 (¥4,656) | ¥4,604 | + 1% | |
| Entertainment | + 49% | |||
| Entertainment in Puerto Rico is 49% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (¥8,750) | ¥4,908 | + 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $21 (¥2,948) | ¥3,881 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $83 (¥11,828) | ¥7,212 | + 64% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $86 (¥12,270) | ¥8,269 | + 48% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (¥2,028) | ¥1,244 | + 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 (¥913) | ¥547 | + 67% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $4.47 (¥637) | ¥674 | - 6% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $557 (¥79,257) | ¥51,659 | + 53% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.67 (¥95) | ¥52 | + 82% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $44 (¥6,325) | ¥9,530 | - 34% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $12 (¥1,664) | ¥602 | + 177% | |
| TOTAL | + 44% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 706 prices entered by 129 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
142.385
JPY
/
USD
Cost of living in Puerto Rico is 44% more expensive than in Japan
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