Puerto Rico (PR)
Puerto Rico is a self-governing US Commonwealth (Estado Libre Asociado) in the northeastern Caribbean, offering a unique blend of vibrant Latin culture, US legal framework, and tropical island living.
Capital: San Juan
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: USD ($)
Cost of living: Moderate (index 65)
Emergency: 911
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Puerto Rico — 2026 data in USD.
65
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Moderately priced. Similar to or slightly less than Western European averages.
Food & Groceries
Milk (1 gallon) $4.50–5.50
Eggs (1 dozen) $3.50–5.00
Chicken breast (per lb) $3.50–5.00
Rice (1 lb) $1.00–1.80
Loaf of bread (local) $2.00–3.50
Ripe plantains (each) $0.50–1.00
Fresh local produce (mango, papaya, pana, per lb) $1.00–2.50
Weekly groceries for 1 person $80–130
Dining Out
Comida criolla lunch at local restaurant $8–14
Fast food meal (McDonald's / Burger King) $9–13
Mid-range restaurant (2 people, dinner) $45–80
Upscale restaurant (Condado, per person) $60–120
Fresh fruit from kiosk $2–5
Beer at bar (local Medalla — iconic Puerto Rican beer) $3–5
Piña colada at beach bar $8–14
Coffee (café con leche at bakery) $2.50–4
Rent
Studio apartment (Old San Juan / Condado) $1,500–2,500/month
1-bed apartment (Miramar / Santurce) $1,200–2,000/month
2-bed apartment (San Juan metro) $1,500–2,800/month
3-bed house (Caguas / Bayamón suburbs) $1,200–2,000/month
3-bed house (Dorado gated community) $3,000–7,000/month
Transport
Tren Urbano single fare $0.75
AMA bus single fare $0.75
Uber (typical 5km ride in San Juan) $8–15
Taxi from SJU airport to Condado (fixed zone) $18–22
Monthly car insurance (liability + comprehensive) $100–200
Gasoline (regular unleaded, per gallon) $3.00–3.80
Annual vehicle inspection sticker (DTOP) $27–35
AutoExpreso toll transponder (monthly usage) $10–40
Health & Insurance
GP doctor visit (private, without insurance) $80–150
Urgent care visit $120–200
Emergency room visit (hospital) $500–2,000+
Prescription (generic, 30-day supply) $5–25
Dental cleaning $80–150
Gym membership (mid-range, monthly) $40–70
Private health insurance (individual, ACA plan, monthly) $250–600
Utilities
LUMA electricity (1-bed apartment, monthly) $80–180
Liberty internet (300 Mbps, monthly) $60–90
Mobile phone plan (US carrier with PR coverage, monthly) $35–80
Bottled water (5-gallon jug — tap water often distrusted) $3–6
Generator (portable 2000W — essential for outages, purchase) $300–600
Childcare
Private preschool / daycare (monthly) $500–900
Private school tuition K–12 (annual) $7,000–16,000
UPR university tuition (PR resident, annual) $2,000–3,500
Private university tuition (annual) $6,000–12,000
Spanish tutoring (private, per hour) $25–50
Leisure
Cinema ticket $10–14
Netflix / streaming subscription (monthly) $15–22
Public beach entry Free
El Yunque National Forest (timed entry — confirm current fee) Free or $2–5
Casino night (drinks + gaming budget) $50–200
Bioluminescent bay tour (Vieques, per person) $35–60
Surfboard rental (per day) $30–50
Haircut (barber / salon) $15–40
Cost of Living
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