Cost of Living in Puerto Rico

The cost of living in Puerto Rico is, on the whole, significantly lower than that of the US. However, it's still by no means cheap. In Mercer's Cost of Living report for 2019, San Juan ranked 72nd out of 209 countries, placing it on a par with large European cities such as Brussels, Belgium and Frankfurt, Germany.

Cost of accommodation in Puerto Rico

Expats will find that a large portion of their salary will go towards accommodation in Puerto Rico. Apartments are most common and are cheaper than freestanding houses. As with most places, housing is priciest in city centres and tends to be lower in outlying suburbs. In addition, smaller cities outside of San Juan are generally cheaper than living in the capital.

Cost of healthcare in Puerto Rico

Most expats opt to use private healthcare in Puerto Rico. The cost of this is much less than one would expect, however, given that one is properly insured. Health insurance in Puerto Rico is well-known for being low-priced but comprehensive.

Cost of education in Puerto Rico

The cost of education in Puerto Rico will vary greatly depending on whether parents send their child to a public or private school. Public schools are free to attend but the language barrier can be difficult to overcome for non-Spanish-speaking families. Private schools are more likely to teach bilingually or in English. Tuition at these schools is pricey though.