Cost of Living in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Are you considering a move to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and wondering about the cost of living? San Juan is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in San Juan and help you understand whether $4172 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $1872.38.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
San Juan, Puerto Rico
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

18.0 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

80.0 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

9.0 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

3.0 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

4.0 $

Cappuccino (regular)

3.48 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

1.85 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

1.65 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

2.06 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

3.5 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

2.58 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

5.39 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

7.47 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

11.4 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

12.63 $

Apples (1 lb)

5.95 $

Banana (1 lb)

2.41 $

Oranges (1 lb)

3.55 $

Tomato (1 lb)

3.96 $

Potato (1 lb)

4.28 $

Onion (1 lb)

2.85 $

Lettuce (1 head)

2.5 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

1.91 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

18.5 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

2.25 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

2.77 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

10.15 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

1.5 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

40.0 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

10.0 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

1.5 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

36.0 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.02 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

32500.0 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

25232.5 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

260.44 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

69.0 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

52.78 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

33.75 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

10.0 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

481.25 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

11028.57 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

47.5 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

45.0 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

90.44 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

107.71 $

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Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

2276.47 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

1419.29 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

2941.18 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

2164.71 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

3417.54 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

2421.88 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

1872.38 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

4.7 %

Cost of Living in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in San Juan?

The monthly expenses for living in San Juan come to a total of approximately $4172. This includes an average monthly rent of around $2276 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $294 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $952 per month.

How affordable is living in San Juan?

Living in San Juan appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $1872.38. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in San Juan, you would likely need an income exceeding $1872.38.

What is the average salary in San Juan?

In San Juan, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $1872.38, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in San Juan?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of San Juan is approximately $2276. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $1419.29 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in San Juan?

The expense for groceries in San Juan can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $714 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in Puerto Rico?

The cost of living in Puerto Rico can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Puerto Rico.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

How Safe Is San Juan, Puerto Rico for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in San Juan, Puerto Rico

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Traveling to San Juan isn't too safe for solo women; bear in mind that you should always walk in the company, never alone. Stay away from poorly lit and deserted streets and areas and from people that are visibly intoxicated or under the influence.

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

San Juan is somewhat safe but you should take precaution on the streets since it's the capital and as such, much more dangerous than the surrounding cities. Especially do so after dark.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Streets are always busy in San Juan and traffic jams are unpredictable. Be careful when riding a bicycle around the city because the roads are often crowded and unpaved. Pedestrians should also be careful in Old San Juan: the streets there are narrow, as well as sidewalks, sometimes crowded, with occasional trip hazards.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Be wary of pickpockets and bag snatching and keep your valuables safe by your side - San Juan isn't safe when it comes to petty theft. Never carry all your money in one place or leave your valuables in plain sight in a car or at a beach when swimming.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Although the island has survived a major hurricane problem, San Juan's biggest problems are constant heavy rainings and floods.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Mugging is not altogether uncommon on the streets of San Juan. In such a situation, hand over all your possessions immediately and do not resist. Avoid poorly lit and deserted areas.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

Terrorist attacks are likely to happen in San Juan because Puerto Rican terrorists have been active in the United States and Puerto Rico for more than two decades. Due to the island's political status, separatist violence will likely continue. Remain vigilant at all times.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Scams are very common in San Juan, so double check your change, never pay anything upfront and negotiate everything in advance. Be very careful around ATMs and be wary of people trying to distract you. Also, be careful around children as they're probably trying to distract you too - they are skillful pickpockets.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

Visa requirements for San Juan are the same as for US states. The US is famous for its harsh policy for acquiring a tourist, let alone a resident visa. However, depending on your nationality, it might be easy for you to acquire one. If you're not sure about your visa status, contact your local US embassy for further information.

currency_exchange

Currency

The United States dollar is the official currency in San Juan. Credit and debit cards are accepted nearly everywhere, and ATMs are widely available.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

The climate in San Juan is mostly hot, tropical, windy, and partly cloudy. San Juan has a significant amount of rainfall during the year. The average annual temperature in San Juan is 25.6 °C.

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Airports

Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is a joint civil-military international airport. It is located very close to San Juan, in suburban Carolina, 5 km southeast of San Juan center.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to San Juan, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

What about weather in San Juan, Puerto Rico ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 83°F 83°F 84°F 86°F 87°F 88°F 88°F 88°F 88°F 88°F 85°F 83°F
Temp 77°F 77°F 78°F 79°F 81°F 82°F 82°F 83°F 82°F 82°F 80°F 78°F
Low 72°F 72°F 73°F 74°F 76°F 77°F 78°F 78°F 78°F 77°F 75°F 73°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 28°C 28°C 28°C 30°C 30°C 31°C 31°C 31°C 31°C 31°C 29°C 28°C
Temp 25°C 25°C 25°C 26°C 27°C 27°C 27°C 28°C 27°C 27°C 26°C 25°C
Low 22°C 22°C 22°C 23°C 24°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 23°C 22°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in Puerto Rico with San Juan

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

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