Cost of living in Puerto Rico compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | + 36% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Puerto Rico is 36% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $17 (¥2,391) | ¥1,025 | + 133% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 (¥1,190) | ¥723 | + 65% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $3.72 (¥518) | ¥519 | - 0% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.40 (¥334) | ¥197 | + 70% | |
12 eggs, large | $4.72 (¥657) | ¥316 | + 108% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.71 (¥516) | ¥629 | - 18% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (¥1,159) | ¥962 | + 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.05 (¥564) | ¥902 | - 37% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.64 (¥368) | ¥574 | - 36% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.81 (¥391) | ¥285 | + 37% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $20 (¥2,806) | ¥1,208 | + 132% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $1.61 (¥224) | ¥184 | + 22% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.04 (¥283) | ¥206 | + 38% | |
Housing | + 15% | |||
Housing in Puerto Rico is 15% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,433 (¥338,850) | ¥326,267 | + 4% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,435 (¥199,783) | ¥171,772 | + 16% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $277 (¥38,568) | ¥28,488 | + 35% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,325 (¥184,577) | ¥157,603 | + 17% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $895 (¥124,684) | ¥82,713 | + 51% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $151 (¥21,037) | ¥24,082 | - 13% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $50 (¥7,011) | ¥4,699 | + 49% | |
40” flat screen tv | $284 (¥39,513) | ¥47,482 | - 17% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $226 (¥31,415) | ¥32,093 | - 2% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $8 (¥1,126) | ¥1,313 | - 14% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $12 (¥1,631) | ¥1,878 | - 13% | |
Clothes | + 33% | |||
Clothes in Puerto Rico is 33% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $56 (¥7,774) | ¥6,136 | + 27% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 (¥6,834) | ¥5,199 | + 31% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $92 (¥12,801) | ¥8,989 | + 42% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $133 (¥18,589) | ¥13,588 | + 37% | |
Transportation | - 29% | |||
Transportation in Puerto Rico is 29% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,015 (¥4,179,621) | ¥2,700,660 | + 55% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.26 (¥175) | ¥165 | + 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $34 (¥4,682) | ¥10,143 | - 54% | |
Personal Care | + 3% | |||
Personal Care in Puerto Rico is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (¥1,106) | ¥2,497 | - 56% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $24 (¥3,333) | ¥1,967 | + 69% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $49 (¥6,794) | ¥5,380 | + 26% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $11 (¥1,599) | ¥650 | + 146% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.29 (¥458) | ¥938 | - 51% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (¥1,028) | ¥702 | + 46% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.57 (¥497) | ¥218 | + 128% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $3.36 (¥467) | ¥216 | + 117% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $23 (¥3,163) | ¥3,927 | - 19% | |
Entertainment | + 31% | |||
Entertainment in Puerto Rico is 31% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Puerto Rico | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $46 (¥6,368) | ¥4,141 | + 54% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $18 (¥2,566) | ¥3,600 | - 29% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $59 (¥8,177) | ¥4,000 | + 104% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $75 (¥10,401) | ¥5,993 | + 74% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (¥1,787) | ¥984 | + 82% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.53 (¥631) | ¥472 | + 34% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $3.65 (¥508) | ¥575 | - 12% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $1,176 (¥163,730) | ¥101,122 | + 62% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $58 (¥8,043) | ¥9,280 | - 13% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (¥1,586) | ¥592 | + 168% | |
TOTAL | + 8% |

These prices were last updated on June 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
139.252
JPY
/
USD
Cost of living in Puerto Rico is 8% more expensive than in Japan
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