CostLens
HomePuerto Rico › San Juan

Cost of Living in San Juan

San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico · Population 1,813,477 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Puerto Rico average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$1,104
Couple, monthly$1,991
Family of four, monthly$2,606

Estimated Prices in San Juan

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$10.73per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$42.90per meal
Cappuccino$3.22each
Monthly groceries (single person)$243per month
Monthly public transport pass$39.33per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$104per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$30.03per month
Fitness club membership$30.03per month
Cinema ticket$7.87each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$559per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$389per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$1,166per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in San Juan is $3,120 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $1,104 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $1,435 per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($389) represents about 35% of the total single-person budget.

Compare San Juan

San Juan vs AguadillaSan Juan vs BayamónSan Juan vs CarolinaSan Juan vs AreciboSan Juan vs PonceSan Juan vs San Germán

Nearby Cities

Caño Martin Peña

4 km away · Puerto Rico

Guaynabo

6 km away · Puerto Rico

Trujillo Alto

7 km away · Puerto Rico

Carolina

9 km away · Puerto Rico

Cataño

10 km away · Puerto Rico

Bayamón

11 km away · Puerto Rico

Candelaria

17 km away · Puerto Rico

Pájaros

17 km away · Puerto Rico

Other Major Cities in Puerto Rico

Aguadilla

Puerto Rico · pop. 225,238

$830 / mo

Bayamón

Puerto Rico · pop. 166,923

$830 / mo

Carolina

Puerto Rico · pop. 138,633

$830 / mo

Arecibo

Puerto Rico · pop. 128,203

$830 / mo

Ponce

Puerto Rico · pop. 111,224

$830 / mo

San Germán

Puerto Rico · pop. 94,548

$830 / mo

Mayagüez

Puerto Rico · pop. 90,228

$830 / mo

Caguas

Puerto Rico · pop. 72,922

$830 / mo

Living in San Juan

San Juan is the capital and one of the key cities in Puerto Rico. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $1,104, placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $389 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $2,606 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $1,991 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in San Juan is $3,120. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $1,435 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Juan expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $1,104 per month in San Juan including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Puerto Rico.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in San Juan?
A net salary of around $1,435 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in San Juan with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in San Juan is $3,120.
How much is rent in San Juan?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $559 per month in the city centre and $389 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,166.
Is San Juan cheaper than Puerto Rico on average?
No — San Juan is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Puerto Rico average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in San Juan?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $243 in San Juan. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $11 and a cappuccino runs around $3.
How do transport costs in San Juan compare?
A monthly public transport pass in San Juan is estimated at $39. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for San Juan are estimates based on Puerto Rico national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,813,477) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.