CostLens
HomeUruguay › Montevideo

Cost of Living in Montevideo

Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay · Population 1,788,170 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Uruguay average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$U36,358 ($909)
Couple, monthly$U65,432 ($1,636)
Family of four, monthly$U85,488 ($2,137)

Estimated Prices in Montevideo

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$U359 ($8.97)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$U1,435 ($35.88)per meal
Cappuccino$U108 ($2.69)each
Monthly groceries (single person)$U8,133 ($203)per month
Monthly public transport pass$U1,316 ($32.89)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$U3,468 ($86.71)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$U1,005 ($25.12)per month
Fitness club membership$U1,005 ($25.12)per month
Cinema ticket$U263 ($6.58)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$U17,879 ($447)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$U12,438 ($311)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$U37,313 ($933)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Montevideo is $U57,200 ($1,430) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $U36,358 ($909) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $U47,265 ($1,182) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($U12,438 ($311)) represents about 34% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Montevideo

Montevideo vs MaldonadoMontevideo vs SaltoMontevideo vs Ciudad de la CostaMontevideo vs RiveraMontevideo vs PaysandúMontevideo vs Las Piedras

Nearby Cities

Paso de Carrasco

16 km away · Canelones

La Paz

16 km away · Canelones

Colonia Nicolich

19 km away · Canelones

Toledo

20 km away · Canelones

Lagomar

20 km away · Canelones

Las Piedras

21 km away · Canelones

Ciudad de la Costa

24 km away · Canelones

Barros Blancos

25 km away · Canelones

Other Major Cities in Uruguay

Maldonado

Maldonado · pop. 135,014

$U27,360 ($684) / mo

Salto

Salto · pop. 124,878

$U27,360 ($684) / mo

Ciudad de la Costa

Canelones · pop. 112,449

$U27,360 ($684) / mo

Rivera

Rivera · pop. 84,775

$U27,360 ($684) / mo

Paysandú

Paysandú · pop. 76,412

$U27,360 ($684) / mo

Las Piedras

Canelones · pop. 61,306

$U27,360 ($684) / mo

Tacuarembó

Tacuarembó · pop. 60,581

$U27,360 ($684) / mo

Melo

Cerro Largo · pop. 55,985

$U27,360 ($684) / mo

Living in Montevideo

Montevideo is the capital and one of the key cities in Uruguay. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $U36,358 ($909), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $U12,438 ($311) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $U85,488 ($2,137) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $U65,432 ($1,636) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Montevideo is $U57,200 ($1,430). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $U47,265 ($1,182) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montevideo expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $U36,358 ($909) per month in Montevideo including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Uruguay.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Montevideo?
A net salary of around $U47,265 ($1,182) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Montevideo with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Montevideo is $U57,200 ($1,430).
How much is rent in Montevideo?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $U17,879 ($447) per month in the city centre and $U12,438 ($311) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $U37,313 ($933).
Is Montevideo cheaper than Uruguay on average?
No — Montevideo is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Uruguay average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Montevideo?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $U8,133 ($203) in Montevideo. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $U359 ($9) and a cappuccino runs around $U108 ($3).
How do transport costs in Montevideo compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Montevideo is estimated at $U1,316 ($33). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Montevideo are estimates based on Uruguay national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,788,170) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.