Cost of living in Puerto Rico compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Puerto Rico is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $16 | $17 | - 10% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 | $9 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $2.72 | $5.11 | - 47% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.97 | $0.99 | + 99% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.33 | $3.32 | + 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.53 | $4.42 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $4.22 | $7 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.38 | $3.92 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $3.45 | $1.92 | + 79% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $6 | $3.37 | + 83% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $13 | $16 | - 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.67 | $2.26 | - 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $1.92 | $2.48 | - 23% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in Puerto Rico is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,021 | $2,518 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $907 | $1,978 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $216 | $203 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $829 | $1,771 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $547 | $1,345 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $150 | $138 | + 9% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $44 | $56 | - 22% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $330 | $301 | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $114 | $134 | - 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 | $12 | + 16% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $17 | $27 | - 39% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in Puerto Rico is 13% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $45 | $51 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $40 | $46 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $76 | $92 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $102 | $119 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | - 9% | |||
| Transportation in Puerto Rico is 9% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $29,570 | $25,479 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.33 | $1.07 | + 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $62 | $78 | - 21% | |
| Personal Care | - 10% | |||
| Personal Care in Puerto Rico is 10% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 | $7 | + 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 | $19 | + 2% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $54 | $123 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 | $7 | + 11% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.00 | $4.19 | - 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 | $5.48 | + 36% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.94 | $4.24 | + 17% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.39 | $2.11 | + 14% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $26 | $26 | + 2% | |
| Entertainment | - 15% | |||
| Entertainment in Puerto Rico is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Puerto Rico | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $46 | $49 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $20 | $27 | - 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $92 | $196 | - 53% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $71 | $83 | - 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $11 | $13 | - 10% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.17 | $5.20 | - 20% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $2.57 | $6 | - 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $448 | $483 | - 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.17 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $43 | $52 | - 17% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 | $9 | + 17% | |
| TOTAL | - 18% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,495 prices entered by 2,642 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 27, 2022.
Cost of living in Puerto Rico is 18% cheaper than in United States
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