Uruguay (UY)
South America's most progressive and stable country — Uruguay consistently ranks first in Latin America for democracy, press freedom, and quality of life.
Capital: Montevideo
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: UYU ($U)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 55)
Emergency: 911
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Uruguay — 2026 data in UYU.
55
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Affordable compared to most Western countries. Good value for the quality of life offered.
Rent
1-bed apartment, Pocitos / Punta Carretas (prime Montevideo) $U 32,000–55,000/month
1-bed apartment, Cordón / Palermo / Barrio Sur (central) $U 22,000–38,000/month
2-bed apartment, Pocitos $U 45,000–70,000/month
2-bed apartment, Cordón / Tres Cruces $U 30,000–50,000/month
3-bed house, Carrasco (upmarket suburb) $U 80,000–150,000/month
Studio / monoambiente, central Montevideo $U 15,000–25,000/month
Room in shared apartment (Montevideo centre) $U 10,000–18,000/month
Food & Groceries
Milk, 1 litre $U 65–90
Eggs, 12 $U 180–250
Bread, 500g loaf $U 70–120
Rice, 1 kg $U 55–85
Chicken breast, 1 kg $U 280–360
Beef (asado cut), 1 kg $U 350–500
Apples, 1 kg $U 80–130
Tomatoes, 1 kg $U 60–120
Pasta, 500g $U 70–130
Yerba mate, 1 kg $U 200–350
Monthly groceries (2 adults, home cooking) $U 15,000–25,000
Dining Out
Lunch menu (tenedor libre / set menu), mid-range restaurant $U 400–650
Chivito (national sandwich) at café $U 380–550
Dinner at mid-range restaurant (2 people, no alcohol) $U 1,200–2,200
Dinner at upscale restaurant (2 people) $U 3,000–6,000
Beer at bar (500ml) $U 180–280
Glass of local wine (Tannat) $U 200–350
Coffee (cortado/espresso) $U 120–200
McDonald's Big Mac meal $U 450–580
Pizza delivery (large) $U 600–900
Transport
STM bus fare (Tarjeta STM) $U 37/trip (2026)
Monthly bus pass (unlimited, if purchased) No unlimited pass — pay per trip with STM card
Taxi from Pocitos to Ciudad Vieja (~5 km) $U 280–380
Uber from Pocitos to Ciudad Vieja $U 230–340
Airport taxi to Montevideo centre (~20 km) $U 800–1,200
Intercity bus Montevideo–Punta del Este $U 700–900 each way
Petrol (1 litre, ANCAP) $U 72–80
Monthly car running costs (insurance, parking, fuel, SUCIVE tax) $U 12,000–25,000
Health & Insurance
FONASA contribution to mutualista (employee, no family) 3% of salary — zero out-of-pocket premium for mutualista coverage
Consultation fee at mutualista (ticket moderador) $U 250–500 per GP visit
Specialist at mutualista (with referral) $U 400–800 per visit
Private consultation at Hospital Británico (English-speaking) $U 1,800–3,500
Dental check-up (private dentist) $U 1,200–2,500
Prescription medication (average generic) $U 200–600
International health insurance (supplement to mutualista) $U 3,300–10,300/month
Utilities
Electricity (UTE) — 1-2 bed apartment, moderate AC use $U 2,000–4,500
Water (OSE) $U 300–700
Natural gas (Metrogas/Conecta) $U 800–1,800
Internet 100 Mbps (Antel fibre) $U 1,400–1,800
Mobile phone plan (Antel, 20 GB data) $U 700–1,200
Childcare
Public school (ANEP) — primary and secondary Free
Public university (UDELAR) Free (minimal registration fees)
Private bilingual school (Montevideo, annual) $U 164,000–492,000/year
International school (British, American curriculum, annual) $U 410,000–900,000/year
Spanish course (private, 20 hrs/week) $U 8,000–15,000/month
After-school activities / sports clubs (monthly) $U 500–2,000/month
Leisure
Gym membership (Smart Fit Montevideo) $U 1,200–1,800/month
Cinema ticket (Shopping centre) $U 350–550
Theatre ticket (Teatro Solís) $U 500–1,500
Football match ticket (Peñarol/Nacional) $U 400–1,200
Beach chair and umbrella (Pocitos, peak summer) $U 500–800/day
Spa day / massage (Montevideo) $U 2,500–5,000
Monthly entertainment budget (2 adults) $U 6,000–15,000
Cost of Living
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