Cost of living in Puerto Rico compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | + 37% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Puerto Rico is 37% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $17 (Mex$ 332) | Mex$ 316 | + 5% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (Mex$ 200) | Mex$ 179 | + 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.53 (Mex$ 88) | Mex$ 71 | + 24% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.31 (Mex$ 45) | Mex$ 29 | + 55% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $6 (Mex$ 124) | Mex$ 50 | + 150% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.08 (Mex$ 79) | Mex$ 34 | + 137% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $9 (Mex$ 176) | Mex$ 90 | + 95% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.72 (Mex$ 72) | Mex$ 47 | + 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.28 (Mex$ 44) | Mex$ 35 | + 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.72 (Mex$ 53) | Mex$ 30 | + 76% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $20 (Mex$ 382) | Mex$ 263 | + 45% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.50 (Mex$ 29) | Mex$ 39 | - 24% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.43 (Mex$ 47) | Mex$ 27 | + 74% | |
| Housing | + 141% | |||
| Housing in Puerto Rico is 141% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,558 (Mex$ 49,732) | Mex$ 23,768 | + 109% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,284 (Mex$ 24,973) | Mex$ 12,972 | + 93% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $284 (Mex$ 5,521) | Mex$ 1,287 | + 329% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,814 (Mex$ 35,272) | Mex$ 15,346 | + 130% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,005 (Mex$ 19,534) | Mex$ 7,814 | + 150% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $337 (Mex$ 6,561) | Mex$ 754 | + 770% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $44 (Mex$ 850) | Mex$ 424 | + 101% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $331 (Mex$ 6,428) | Mex$ 5,926 | + 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $208 (Mex$ 4,046) | Mex$ 2,281 | + 77% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (Mex$ 207) | Mex$ 153 | + 35% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $31 (Mex$ 600) | Mex$ 139 | + 332% | |
| Clothes | + 39% | |||
| Clothes in Puerto Rico is 39% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Mexico | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $61 (Mex$ 1,183) | Mex$ 980 | + 21% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 (Mex$ 980) | Mex$ 782 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $132 (Mex$ 2,575) | Mex$ 1,697 | + 52% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $174 (Mex$ 3,387) | Mex$ 1,414 | + 140% | |
| Transportation | + 118% | |||
| Transportation in Puerto Rico is 118% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $37,510 (Mex$ 729,326) | Mex$ 384,726 | + 90% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.85 (Mex$ 16) | Mex$ 24 | - 32% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $100 (Mex$ 1,945) | Mex$ 642 | + 203% | |
| Personal Care | + 73% | |||
| Personal Care in Puerto Rico is 73% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $11 (Mex$ 206) | Mex$ 107 | + 93% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 (Mex$ 275) | Mex$ 284 | - 3% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $70 (Mex$ 1,353) | Mex$ 651 | + 108% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $11 (Mex$ 206) | Mex$ 94 | + 119% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $7 (Mex$ 132) | Mex$ 68 | + 95% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $9 (Mex$ 183) | Mex$ 81 | + 127% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.81 (Mex$ 74) | Mex$ 43 | + 72% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $3.67 (Mex$ 71) | Mex$ 44 | + 64% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $25 (Mex$ 486) | Mex$ 291 | + 67% | |
| Entertainment | + 128% | |||
| Entertainment in Puerto Rico is 128% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Puerto Rico | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (Mex$ 1,195) | Mex$ 381 | + 214% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $21 (Mex$ 403) | Mex$ 176 | + 129% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $83 (Mex$ 1,615) | Mex$ 911 | + 77% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $86 (Mex$ 1,676) | Mex$ 862 | + 94% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (Mex$ 277) | Mex$ 180 | + 54% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 (Mex$ 125) | Mex$ 100 | + 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $4.47 (Mex$ 87) | Mex$ 58 | + 49% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $557 (Mex$ 10,823) | Mex$ 11,177 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.67 (Mex$ 13) | Mex$ 2.42 | + 435% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $44 (Mex$ 864) | Mex$ 899 | - 4% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $12 (Mex$ 227) | Mex$ 82 | + 177% | |
| TOTAL | + 98% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 6,750 prices entered by 669 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
19.444
MXN
/
USD
Cost of living in Puerto Rico is 98% more expensive than in Mexico
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