Cost of living in Puerto Rico compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Puerto Rico is 11% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $17 | $19 | - 7% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 | $10 | - 14% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $3.72 | $5.76 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.40 | $1.08 | + 122% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.72 | $4.94 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.71 | $4.68 | - 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 | $7 | + 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.05 | $4.67 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.64 | $2.49 | + 6% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.81 | $3.11 | - 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $20 | $16 | + 27% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.61 | $2.77 | - 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.04 | $2.98 | - 32% | |
| Housing | - 24% | |||
| Housing in Puerto Rico is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,433 | $2,824 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,435 | $2,138 | - 33% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $277 | $220 | + 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,325 | $1,886 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $895 | $1,441 | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $151 | $146 | + 3% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $50 | $64 | - 21% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $284 | $295 | - 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $226 | $133 | + 69% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $8 | $14 | - 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $12 | $31 | - 63% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in Puerto Rico is 7% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $56 | $54 | + 4% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 | $45 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $92 | $93 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $133 | $119 | + 12% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in Puerto Rico is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,015 | $27,943 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.26 | $1.05 | + 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $34 | $79 | - 58% | |
| Personal Care | - 24% | |||
| Personal Care in Puerto Rico is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 | $8 | - 3% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $24 | $21 | + 12% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $49 | $140 | - 65% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $11 | $8 | + 36% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.29 | $4.80 | - 32% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 | $6 | + 18% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.57 | $4.72 | - 24% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $3.36 | $2.25 | + 49% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $23 | $27 | - 17% | |
| Entertainment | - 4% | |||
| Entertainment in Puerto Rico is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $46 | $55 | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $18 | $28 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $59 | $203 | - 71% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $75 | $89 | - 16% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 | $14 | - 5% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.53 | $5.21 | - 13% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $3.65 | $6 | - 42% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $1,176 | $556 | + 111% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.21 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $58 | $54 | + 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 | $10 | + 14% | |
| TOTAL | - 21% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 22,421 prices entered by 2,852 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 06, 2023.
Cost of living in Puerto Rico is 21% cheaper than in United States
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