Relocation · Cost of living
The cost of living in Puerto Rico
Census medians for the island and every one of its 78 towns, next to the U.S. figures — plus the context the averages hide: the 11.5% sales tax, the electricity bill, and the Jones Act premium on everything imported.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (tables B25064, B19013, B25077). Vintage: 2020–2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Median gross rent
$578/mo
US: $1,413/mo
59% below the U.S. median
Median household income
$26,297/yr
US: $80,734/yr
67% below the U.S. median
Median home value
$131,500
US: $332,700
60% below the U.S. median
Sales tax runs 11.5%
- Puerto Rico's sales-and-use tax (IVU) is 11.5% — 10.5% commonwealth + 1% municipal — higher than any U.S. state's base rate.
- Some categories carry reduced rates or exemptions (unprepared food, prescription medicines); verify current carve-outs with Hacienda before budgeting around them.
Sources: Hacienda — IVU (sales & use tax) (opens in a new tab)
Electricity is the budget shock
- Residential electricity rates run well above the U.S. average — historically roughly double — so air-conditioning-heavy homes see mainland-unfamiliar bills. It's the main reason rooftop solar + battery is everywhere.
- Rates change every quarter with fuel-cost adjustments; LUMA's rate schedule and the EIA's state comparison carry the current numbers.
- From October 1, 2026, a general residential bill at 800 kWh a month is $271, up from $229 in July to September 2026 (+18.5%), per the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau resolution and order of Sep. 30, 2026. What the new rate costs at home.
Sources: LUMA — current electric rates (opens in a new tab)EIA — electricity prices by state (opens in a new tab)
Groceries & goods carry the Jones Act premium
- Cargo between U.S. ports must move on U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged ships (the Jones Act), which raises shipping costs to the island — groceries, appliances, vehicles, and building materials all price above mainland norms.
- Local produce, restaurants, and services are where the island is genuinely cheaper — the premium concentrates in imported goods.
Sources: Cato Institute — the Jones Act & Puerto Rico (opens in a new tab)
How to read the table
- Figures are ACS 5-year medians — a stable multi-year blend, not this month's listings. Hot coastal markets (Condado, Dorado, Rincón) have moved faster than any survey captures.
- A dash means the Census suppressed the estimate (sample too small) — common for home values in the smallest towns.
- Median household income context matters: a town with $500 median rent and $18,000 median income is cheap to outsiders and expensive to its own residents. That tension is the housing debate in one row.
Sources: Census Bureau — about ACS estimates (opens in a new tab)
Gas at the pump
DACO’s reference range, per liter and per gallon, as of October 9. Read the report.
- Regular$1.17–$1.20/L ($4.42–$4.53/gal)up 8¢ a gallon since Oct 8
- Premium$1.30–$1.40/L ($4.91–$5.29/gal)up 8¢ a gallon since Oct 8
- Diesel$1.50–$1.58/L ($5.67–$5.97/gal)up 25¢ a gallon since Oct 8
Show the numbers
| Date | Regular | Premium | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 9 | $4.42–$4.53 | $4.91–$5.29 | $5.67–$5.97 |
| Oct 8 | $4.34–$4.46 | $4.83–$5.21 | $5.48–$5.67 |
| Oct 1 | $4.32–$4.47 | $4.88–$5.26 | $5.49–$5.79 |
| Sep 28 | $4.28–$4.43 | $4.81–$5.11 | $5.30–$5.45 |
| Sep 22 | $4.39–$4.50 | — | — |
| Sep 16 | $4.20–$4.50 | $4.85–$5.15 | $5.72–$5.94 |
| Sep 2 | $4.01–$4.24 | $4.54–$4.88 | $5.03–$5.15 |
| Aug 11 | $3.71–$4.01 | $4.24–$4.62 | $4.73–$5.07 |
| Aug 10 | $3.66–$3.90 | $4.16–$4.54 | $4.50–$4.81 |
| Aug 7 | $3.60–$3.86 | $4.13–$4.54 | $4.47–$4.81 |
| Aug 4 | $3.63–$3.90 | $4.16–$4.54 | $4.54–$4.92 |
| Aug 3 | $3.75–$3.97 | $4.28–$4.62 | $4.73–$5.00 |
| Jul 27 | $3.94–$4.16 | $4.47–$4.81 | $4.85–$5.07 |
| Jul 25 | $3.94–$4.16 | $4.47–$4.81 | $4.85–$5.07 |
| Jul 24 | $4.01–$4.28 | $4.54–$4.92 | $5.00–$5.26 |
| Jul 22 | $3.97–$4.16 | $4.47–$4.85 | $4.73–$5.03 |
| Jul 20 | $3.97–$4.16 | $4.50–$4.81 | $4.66–$5.00 |
| Jul 18 | $3.97–$4.16 | $4.50–$4.81 | $4.66–$5.00 |
| Jul 16 | $3.90–$4.13 | $4.43–$4.77 | $4.58–$4.92 |
| Jul 15 | $3.86–$4.05 | $4.39–$4.73 | $4.66–$5.00 |
| Jul 14 | $3.75–$4.01 | $4.28–$4.69 | $4.35–$4.81 |
| Jul 11 | $3.71–$3.86 | $4.24–$4.54 | $4.28–$4.58 |
| Jul 10 | $3.79–$3.97 | $4.32–$4.58 | $4.35–$4.69 |
| Jul 9 | $3.79–$4.01 | $4.39–$4.66 | $4.24–$4.81 |
| Jul 8 | $3.75–$3.94 | $4.28–$4.54 | $4.16–$4.54 |
| Jul 7 | $3.79–$3.97 | $4.32–$4.58 | $4.20–$4.54 |
| Jul 6 | $3.71–$3.90 | $4.24–$4.54 | $4.13–$4.47 |
| Jul 3 | $3.67–$3.86 | $4.20–$4.50 | $4.09–$4.43 |
| Jun 30 | $3.79–$4.01 | $4.32–$4.62 | $4.24–$4.50 |
| Jun 29 | $3.71–$3.94 | $4.24–$4.54 | $4.16–$4.39 |
| Jun 26 | $3.75–$4.01 | $4.28–$4.62 | $4.24–$4.50 |
| Jun 25 | $3.71–$3.86 | $4.16–$4.50 | $4.20–$4.39 |
| Jun 24 | $3.79–$3.97 | $4.24–$4.62 | $4.16–$4.35 |
| Jun 23 | $3.82–$4.01 | $4.28–$4.62 | $4.09–$4.32 |
| Jun 22 | $3.86–$4.01 | $4.28–$4.62 | $4.13–$4.35 |
| Jun 20 | $3.86–$4.01 | $4.28–$4.62 | $4.13–$4.35 |
| Jun 2 | $3.97–$4.16 | $4.43–$4.85 | $4.54–$4.88 |
From DACO’s own figures
| Fuel | Station averageAugust survey (vs July) | WholesaleOct 10 (vs Sep 10) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | $1.04/L ($3.94/gal)+7¢ a gallon from the July survey | $1.12–$1.15/L ($4.23–$4.34/gal)+24¢ a gallon since Sep 10 |
| Premium | $1.19/L ($4.51/gal)−2¢ a gallon from the July survey | $1.23–$1.34/L ($4.65–$5.09/gal)+25¢ a gallon since Sep 10 |
| Diesel | $1.29/L ($4.90/gal)+31¢ a gallon from the July survey | $1.41–$1.52/L ($5.33–$5.76/gal)+23¢ a gallon since Sep 10 |
Per liter and per gallon; the changes are per gallon. Neither column is today’s pump price. Station average: what stations charged on average in August, published a few weeks later; the change is from July. Wholesale: what stations pay their supplier, the lowest and highest of 14 wholesalers; the change is the middle of that range since Sep 10. Sources: DACO survey · DACO wholesale prices.
Wholesale over time
Show the numbers
| Date | Regular | Premium | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10 | $4.23–$4.34 | $4.65–$5.09 | $5.33–$5.76 |
| Oct 9 | $4.25–$4.36 | $4.74–$5.09 | $5.52–$5.79 |
| Oct 8 | $4.17–$4.29 | $4.66–$5.03 | $5.31–$5.49 |
| Oct 7 | $4.20–$4.32 | $4.67–$5.07 | $5.24–$5.42 |
| Oct 6 | $4.18–$4.32 | $4.65–$5.07 | $5.22–$5.40 |
| Oct 3 | $4.24–$4.38 | $4.74–$5.11 | $5.25–$5.40 |
| Oct 2 | $4.32–$4.46 | $4.79–$5.29 | $5.29–$5.64 |
| Oct 1 | $4.19–$4.34 | $4.71–$5.09 | $5.35–$5.65 |
| Sep 30 | $4.06–$4.19 | $4.57–$4.86 | $5.35–$5.48 |
| Sep 29 | $4.11–$4.23 | $4.62–$4.90 | $5.23–$5.36 |
| Sep 26 | $4.17–$4.29 | $4.65–$4.94 | $5.17–$5.31 |
| Sep 25 | $4.30–$4.42 | $4.80–$5.07 | $5.21–$5.38 |
| Sep 24 | $4.32–$4.44 | $4.81–$5.09 | $5.27–$5.40 |
| Sep 23 | $4.23–$4.34 | $4.75–$5.00 | $5.42–$5.55 |
| Sep 22 | $4.21–$4.34 | $4.73–$5.00 | $5.38–$5.55 |
| Sep 19 | $4.26–$4.38 | $4.77–$5.03 | $5.52–$5.63 |
| Sep 18 | $4.25–$4.36 | $4.76–$5.01 | $5.59–$5.70 |
| Sep 17 | $4.23–$4.34 | $4.75–$4.95 | $5.67–$5.80 |
| Sep 16 | $4.21–$4.32 | $4.70–$5.00 | $5.59–$5.82 |
| Sep 15 | $4.09–$4.23 | $4.59–$4.90 | $5.40–$5.59 |
| Sep 12 | $4.08–$4.23 | $4.58–$4.90 | $5.40–$5.59 |
| Sep 11 | $4.13–$4.30 | $4.63–$4.91 | $5.40–$5.63 |
| Sep 10 | $3.96–$4.13 | $4.46–$4.79 | $5.23–$5.40 |
| Sep 9 | $3.98–$4.17 | $4.48–$4.78 | $5.08–$5.21 |
| Sep 5 | $3.94–$4.17 | $4.44–$4.79 | $5.06–$5.21 |
| Sep 4 | $3.91–$4.10 | $4.41–$4.75 | $5.14–$5.25 |
| Sep 3 | $3.87–$4.08 | $4.37–$4.68 | $5.17–$5.34 |
| Sep 2 | $3.90–$4.11 | $4.40–$4.78 | $5.17–$5.34 |
| Sep 1 | $3.84–$4.08 | $4.34–$4.73 | $4.95–$5.14 |
| Aug 29 | $3.89–$4.10 | $4.39–$4.73 | $4.86–$5.00 |
| Aug 28 | $3.79–$3.98 | $4.29–$4.64 | $4.72–$4.95 |
| Aug 27 | $3.75–$3.93 | $4.25–$4.60 | $4.70–$4.93 |
| Aug 26 | $3.70–$3.89 | $4.20–$4.54 | $4.68–$4.93 |
| Aug 25 | $3.72–$3.91 | $4.22–$4.54 | $4.70–$4.97 |
| Aug 22 | $3.79–$3.96 | $4.30–$4.60 | $4.89–$5.12 |
| Aug 21 | $3.70–$3.89 | $4.21–$4.52 | $4.86–$5.12 |
| Aug 20 | $3.69–$3.89 | $4.21–$4.52 | $4.84–$5.10 |
| Aug 19 | $3.74–$3.93 | $4.26–$4.56 | $4.81–$5.10 |
| Aug 18 | $3.68–$3.91 | $4.20–$4.54 | $4.80–$5.10 |
| Aug 15 | $3.60–$3.83 | $4.10–$4.47 | $4.67–$4.95 |
| Aug 14 | $3.57–$3.79 | $4.07–$4.45 | $4.66–$4.93 |
| Aug 13 | $3.64–$3.81 | $4.14–$4.46 | $4.73–$4.99 |
| Aug 12 | $3.60–$3.81 | $4.10–$4.45 | $4.67–$4.95 |
| Aug 11 | $3.58–$3.87 | $4.08–$4.47 | $4.61–$4.95 |
| Aug 8 | $3.50–$3.76 | $4.00–$4.36 | $4.38–$4.68 |
| Aug 7 | $3.47–$3.72 | $3.97–$4.35 | $4.34–$4.68 |
| Aug 6 | $3.39–$3.62 | $3.89–$4.30 | $4.27–$4.58 |
| Aug 5 | $3.41–$3.62 | $3.91–$4.30 | $4.29–$4.64 |
| Aug 4 | $3.51–$3.77 | $4.01–$4.38 | $4.39–$4.80 |
| Aug 1 | $3.62–$3.85 | $4.12–$4.46 | $4.59–$4.87 |
| Jul 31 | $3.67–$3.91 | $4.17–$4.51 | $4.64–$4.99 |
| Jul 30 | $3.78–$4.00 | $4.26–$4.62 | $4.79–$5.06 |
| Jul 29 | $3.73–$3.96 | $4.21–$4.57 | $4.61–$4.91 |
| Jul 28 | $3.74–$3.96 | $4.22–$4.58 | $4.62–$4.89 |
| Jul 25 | $3.82–$4.04 | $4.30–$4.64 | $4.72–$4.95 |
| Jul 24 | $3.90–$4.13 | $4.38–$4.77 | $4.86–$5.12 |
| Jul 23 | $3.89–$4.04 | $4.37–$4.67 | $4.69–$4.91 |
| Jul 21 | $3.85–$4.04 | $4.33–$4.67 | $4.59–$4.89 |
| Jul 18 | $3.86–$4.04 | $4.34–$4.67 | $4.53–$4.87 |
| Jul 17 | $3.76–$3.96 | $4.24–$4.57 | $4.50–$4.83 |
| Jul 16 | $3.79–$4.00 | $4.29–$4.61 | $4.45–$4.80 |
| Jul 15 | $3.74–$3.93 | $4.24–$4.56 | $4.52–$4.87 |
| Jul 14 | $3.68–$3.89 | $4.18–$4.52 | $4.33–$4.68 |
| Jul 11 | $3.60–$3.74 | $4.10–$4.37 | $4.16–$4.46 |
| Jul 10 | $3.65–$3.81 | $4.15–$4.42 | $4.19–$4.53 |
| Jul 9 | $3.70–$3.87 | $4.20–$4.47 | $4.29–$4.64 |
| Jul 8 | $3.58–$3.77 | $4.09–$4.38 | $4.01–$4.38 |
| Jul 7 | $3.62–$3.81 | $4.12–$4.42 | $4.04–$4.38 |
| Jul 3 | $3.56–$3.74 | $4.06–$4.35 | $3.95–$4.30 |
| Jul 2 | $3.59–$3.81 | $4.08–$4.45 | $3.98–$4.32 |
| Jul 1 | $3.61–$3.81 | $4.08–$4.42 | $4.06–$4.38 |
| Jun 30 | $3.65–$3.87 | $4.13–$4.48 | $4.12–$4.38 |
| Jun 27 | $3.59–$3.79 | $4.03–$4.40 | $4.03–$4.27 |
| Jun 26 | $3.64–$3.87 | $4.14–$4.48 | $4.11–$4.36 |
| Jun 25 | $3.58–$3.74 | $4.03–$4.36 | $4.05–$4.25 |
| Jun 24 | $3.67–$3.83 | $4.10–$4.48 | $4.03–$4.23 |
| Jun 23 | $3.71–$3.87 | $4.13–$4.47 | $3.97–$4.19 |
| Jun 19 | $3.70–$3.87 | $4.14–$4.47 | $4.00–$4.21 |
| Jun 18 | $3.64–$3.79 | $4.06–$4.41 | $4.06–$4.27 |
| Jun 17 | $3.61–$3.77 | $4.03–$4.39 | $4.03–$4.27 |
| Jun 16 | $3.67–$3.85 | $4.09–$4.46 | $4.08–$4.38 |
| Jun 13 | $3.76–$3.94 | $4.19–$4.55 | $4.18–$4.49 |
| Jun 12 | $3.81–$3.98 | $4.24–$4.60 | $4.28–$4.61 |
| Jun 11 | $3.78–$3.98 | $4.29–$4.60 | $4.38–$4.68 |
| Jun 10 | $3.77–$3.93 | $4.20–$4.53 | $4.31–$4.64 |
| Jun 9 | $3.81–$3.94 | $4.25–$4.58 | $4.37–$4.64 |
| Jun 6 | $3.80–$3.96 | $4.24–$4.57 | $4.35–$4.68 |
| Jun 5 | $3.80–$3.98 | $4.24–$4.59 | $4.42–$4.76 |
| Jun 4 | $3.90–$4.08 | $4.33–$4.68 | $4.55–$4.91 |
| Jun 3 | $3.92–$4.08 | $4.34–$4.71 | $4.45–$4.78 |
| Jun 2 | $3.86–$4.04 | $4.26–$4.67 | $4.39–$4.76 |
| May 30 | $3.86–$4.04 | $4.19–$4.67 | $4.30–$4.70 |
| May 29 | $3.93–$4.08 | $4.21–$4.68 | $4.38–$4.72 |
| May 28 | $3.89–$4.04 | $4.29–$4.64 | $4.36–$4.72 |
| May 27 | $3.86–$4.11 | $4.13–$4.75 | $4.34–$4.83 |
| May 23 | $4.07–$4.29 | $4.35–$4.90 | $4.49–$4.99 |
| May 22 | $4.00–$4.27 | $4.31–$4.87 | $4.42–$4.95 |
| May 21 | $4.13–$4.34 | $4.40–$4.95 | $4.56–$5.06 |
| May 20 | $4.31–$4.49 | $4.58–$5.11 | $4.75–$5.23 |
| May 19 | $4.37–$4.55 | $4.64–$5.17 | $4.71–$5.19 |
| May 16 | $4.31–$4.49 | $4.58–$5.11 | $4.64–$5.14 |
| May 15 | $4.22–$4.40 | $4.50–$5.02 | $4.50–$5.02 |
| May 14 | $4.23–$4.42 | $4.50–$5.02 | $4.56–$5.10 |
| May 13 | $4.31–$4.49 | $4.80–$5.13 | $4.75–$5.25 |
| May 12 | $4.21–$4.40 | $4.48–$5.03 | $4.56–$5.08 |
| May 9 | $4.14–$4.34 | $4.41–$4.98 | $4.49–$5.02 |
| May 7 | $4.07–$4.30 | $4.34–$4.91 | $4.38–$4.99 |
| May 6 | $4.23–$4.42 | $4.51–$5.02 | $4.67–$5.17 |
| May 5 | $4.33–$4.51 | $4.62–$5.12 | $4.71–$5.23 |
| May 2 | $4.21–$4.42 | $4.48–$5.02 | $4.59–$5.14 |
| May 1 | $4.23–$4.44 | $4.53–$5.04 | $4.71–$5.25 |
| Apr 30 | $4.29–$4.42 | $4.71–$5.02 | $4.73–$5.27 |
| Apr 29 | $4.13–$4.27 | $4.50–$4.87 | $4.53–$5.08 |
| Apr 28 | $4.10–$4.21 | $4.43–$4.82 | $4.53–$5.08 |
| Apr 25 | $4.03–$4.19 | $4.40–$4.80 | $4.44–$5.02 |
| Apr 24 | $4.03–$4.19 | $4.40–$4.80 | $4.54–$5.08 |
| Apr 23 | $3.93–$4.11 | $4.29–$4.72 | $4.49–$5.04 |
| Apr 22 | $3.81–$3.98 | $4.15–$4.59 | $4.29–$4.89 |
| Apr 21 | $3.69–$3.91 | $3.95–$4.51 | $4.00–$4.72 |
| Apr 18 | $3.65–$3.81 | $3.95–$4.45 | $4.00–$4.64 |
| Apr 17 | $3.80–$3.93 | $4.05–$4.54 | $4.39–$4.87 |
| Apr 16 | $3.73–$3.87 | $4.00–$4.47 | $4.32–$4.80 |
| Apr 15 | $3.70–$3.85 | $3.97–$4.46 | $4.20–$4.80 |
| Apr 14 | $3.74–$3.93 | $4.05–$4.53 | $4.39–$4.91 |
| Apr 11 | $3.70–$3.85 | $3.97–$4.49 | $4.32–$4.83 |
| Apr 10 | $3.66–$3.85 | $3.94–$4.46 | $4.49–$5.02 |
| Apr 9 | $3.67–$3.89 | $3.94–$4.49 | $4.21–$4.99 |
| Apr 8 | $3.88–$4.06 | $4.24–$4.66 | $5.03–$5.25 |
| Apr 7 | $3.91–$4.06 | $4.24–$4.66 | $4.88–$5.10 |
| Apr 3 | $3.88–$4.04 | $4.22–$4.64 | $4.91–$5.14 |
| Apr 2 | $3.68–$3.85 | $4.05–$4.46 | $4.63–$4.90 |
| Apr 1 | $3.79–$3.93 | $4.15–$4.56 | $4.70–$4.95 |
| Mar 31 | $3.81–$3.96 | $4.16–$4.57 | $4.87–$5.06 |
| Mar 28 | $3.74–$3.89 | $4.06–$4.49 | $4.95–$5.10 |
| Mar 27 | $3.62–$3.81 | $3.94–$4.41 | $4.79–$5.10 |
| Mar 26 | $3.51–$3.66 | $3.83–$4.27 | $4.55–$4.81 |
| Mar 25 | $3.61–$3.77 | $3.96–$4.41 | $4.80–$4.91 |
| Mar 24 | $3.48–$3.66 | $3.88–$4.27 | $4.59–$4.91 |
| Mar 21 | $3.71–$3.89 | $4.08–$4.47 | $4.99–$5.17 |
| Mar 20 | $3.56–$3.74 | $3.94–$4.32 | $4.76–$4.91 |
| Mar 19 | $3.52–$3.70 | $3.89–$4.30 | $4.63–$4.81 |
| Mar 18 | $3.54–$3.72 | $3.85–$4.32 | $4.49–$4.63 |
| Mar 17 | $3.42–$3.62 | $3.79–$4.23 | $4.30–$4.46 |
| Mar 14 | $3.46–$3.64 | $3.85–$4.23 | $4.46–$4.59 |
| Mar 13 | $3.41–$3.57 | $3.78–$4.15 | $4.27–$4.51 |
| Mar 12 | $3.25–$3.40 | $3.60–$3.98 | $4.08–$4.32 |
| Mar 11 | $3.14–$3.32 | $3.46–$3.91 | $3.85–$4.08 |
| Mar 10 | $3.25–$3.41 | $3.62–$4.00 | $4.08–$4.23 |
| Mar 7 | $3.18–$3.34 | $3.54–$3.94 | $4.08–$4.25 |
| Mar 6 | $3.13–$3.26 | $3.48–$3.87 | $3.96–$4.25 |
| Mar 5 | $2.98–$3.13 | $3.33–$3.74 | $3.74–$3.93 |
| Mar 4 | $2.92–$3.09 | $3.27–$3.70 | $3.58–$3.89 |
| Mar 3 | $2.84–$3.02 | $3.20–$3.62 | $3.41–$3.63 |
| Feb 28 | $2.76–$2.94 | $3.14–$3.57 | $3.10–$3.40 |
| Feb 27 | $2.74–$2.90 | $3.08–$3.53 | $3.05–$3.36 |
| Feb 26 | $2.70–$2.87 | $3.07–$3.49 | $3.07–$3.40 |
| Feb 25 | $2.68–$2.85 | $3.10–$3.47 | $3.06–$3.40 |
| Feb 24 | $2.71–$2.87 | $3.04–$3.49 | $3.05–$3.40 |
| Feb 21 | $2.72–$2.87 | $3.05–$3.49 | $2.98–$3.32 |
| Feb 20 | $2.73–$2.87 | $3.07–$3.49 | $3.01–$3.34 |
| Feb 19 | $2.70–$2.84 | $3.05–$3.45 | $2.93–$3.24 |
| Feb 13 | $2.65–$2.81 | $3.00–$3.43 | $2.82–$3.19 |
| Feb 12 | $2.71–$2.87 | $3.06–$3.47 | $2.85–$3.23 |
| Feb 11 | $2.69–$2.85 | $3.02–$3.45 | $2.80–$3.21 |
| Feb 10 | $2.71–$2.87 | $3.05–$3.47 | $2.82–$3.23 |
| Feb 7 | $2.69–$2.83 | $3.02–$3.49 | $2.84–$3.23 |
| Feb 6 | $2.67–$2.81 | $3.00–$3.58 | $2.82–$3.21 |
| Feb 5 | $2.71–$2.83 | $3.04–$3.58 | $2.87–$3.28 |
Every town, side by side
Tap or click a column heading to sort. Every town links to its “Living in” page — rent, home value and income against the median town, plus commute, broadband, schools, water and safety. A dash means the Census suppressed that estimate. For commute, broadband, schools and safety too, see Living in Puerto Rico, town by town.
| Town | Rent | Income | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjuntas | $425 | $19,549 | $94,300 |
| Aguada | $475 | $21,501 | $121,500 |
| Aguadilla | $509 | $21,540 | $150,800 |
| Aguas Buenas | $468 | $23,072 | $144,000 |
| Aibonito | $481 | $21,744 | $124,100 |
| Añasco | $576 | $24,436 | $116,300 |
| Arecibo | $531 | $23,635 | $116,700 |
| Arroyo | $472 | $21,186 | $89,900 |
| Barceloneta | $582 | $24,508 | $126,300 |
| Barranquitas | $505 | $23,407 | $117,800 |
| Bayamón | $703 | $31,354 | $149,100 |
| Cabo Rojo | $590 | $26,408 | $124,800 |
| Caguas | $659 | $31,379 | $151,000 |
| Camuy | $611 | $27,411 | $109,600 |
| Canóvanas | $568 | $29,642 | $118,600 |
| Carolina | $677 | $36,958 | $157,600 |
| Cataño | $564 | $25,508 | $144,500 |
| Cayey | $540 | $30,129 | $148,300 |
| Ceiba | $538 | $25,454 | $113,700 |
| Ciales | $431 | $22,586 | $96,500 |
| Cidra | $577 | $29,246 | $153,900 |
| Coamo | $521 | $22,045 | $99,900 |
| Comerío | $512 | $17,134 | $97,400 |
| Corozal | $497 | $23,797 | $119,700 |
| Culebra | $528 | $29,630 | $104,300 |
| Dorado | $715 | $36,391 | $169,900 |
| Fajardo | $625 | $25,563 | $121,400 |
| Florida | $688 | $22,332 | $111,000 |
| Guánica | $349 | $17,633 | $87,200 |
| Guayama | $436 | $20,402 | $108,200 |
| Guayanilla | $454 | $23,915 | $87,400 |
| Guaynabo | $901 | $46,731 | $226,800 |
| Gurabo | $678 | $42,216 | $158,500 |
| Hatillo | $595 | $28,146 | $134,800 |
| Hormigueros | $559 | $26,828 | $121,700 |
| Humacao | $568 | $27,038 | $120,100 |
| Isabela | $582 | $23,266 | $136,200 |
| Jayuya | $456 | $21,796 | $115,700 |
| Juana Díaz | $559 | $24,852 | $105,500 |
| Juncos | $577 | $29,863 | $120,100 |
| Lajas | $479 | $19,695 | $107,800 |
| Lares | $505 | $18,917 | $105,100 |
| Las Marías | $412 | $16,314 | $86,500 |
| Las Piedras | $565 | $25,232 | $127,500 |
| Loíza | $464 | $24,272 | $111,000 |
| Luquillo | $504 | $24,225 | $138,500 |
| Manatí | $538 | $22,683 | $120,500 |
| Maricao | $413 | $21,302 | $115,700 |
| Maunabo | $549 | $18,045 | $99,900 |
| Mayagüez | $484 | $18,295 | $111,600 |
| Moca | $512 | $23,586 | $132,100 |
| Morovis | $618 | $25,003 | $115,100 |
| Naguabo | $528 | $23,395 | $105,500 |
| Naranjito | $488 | $22,156 | $112,900 |
| Orocovis | $499 | $20,302 | $100,500 |
| Patillas | $543 | $24,396 | $90,300 |
| Peñuelas | $489 | $22,697 | $89,600 |
| Ponce | $536 | $19,877 | $110,200 |
| Quebradillas | $521 | $24,640 | $112,500 |
| Rincón | $604 | $24,447 | $154,700 |
| Río Grande | $585 | $28,943 | $131,600 |
| Sabana Grande | $463 | $22,065 | $100,500 |
| Salinas | $530 | $21,901 | $88,700 |
| San Germán | $481 | $18,317 | $111,400 |
| San Juan | $611 | $27,992 | $171,200 |
| San Lorenzo | $579 | $22,847 | $113,900 |
| San Sebastián | $508 | $19,920 | $115,000 |
| Santa Isabel | $489 | $25,795 | $108,200 |
| Toa Alta | $690 | $35,241 | $163,900 |
| Toa Baja | $713 | $32,017 | $148,900 |
| Trujillo Alto | $694 | $40,055 | $164,500 |
| Utuado | $476 | $20,800 | $104,000 |
| Vega Alta | $667 | $25,538 | $140,700 |
| Vega Baja | $650 | $24,244 | $122,700 |
| Vieques | $430 | $19,803 | $100,000 |
| Villalba | $517 | $26,286 | $104,200 |
| Yabucoa | $489 | $22,944 | $97,800 |
| Yauco | $551 | $24,255 | $100,200 |
Common questions
- How much does it cost to live in Puerto Rico?
- Housing is the big saving. As of 2020–2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Puerto Rico's median gross rent is about $578 a month versus $1,413 on the U.S. mainland, and the median home value is $131,500 versus $332,700. The trade-offs: median household income is lower (about $26,297 a year), and imported goods, electricity, and a 11.5% sales tax push everyday costs up.
- Is Puerto Rico cheaper than the mainland United States?
- On housing, clearly yes — median rent and home values run well below mainland figures. But groceries, cars, and most consumer goods are shipped in (the Jones Act adds a premium), electricity is expensive, and the 11.5% sales tax is higher than any U.S. state's base rate. Whether it's cheaper overall depends on your lifestyle and how much you buy imported.
- What is the sales tax in Puerto Rico?
- Puerto Rico's sales-and-use tax (IVU) is 11.5% (10.5% commonwealth + 1% municipal) — higher than any U.S. state's base rate. Most goods and many services are taxed; some groceries and prescription medicines are exempt.
- Do you pay U.S. federal income tax if you live in Puerto Rico?
- Bona fide residents of Puerto Rico generally do not pay U.S. federal income tax on income sourced within Puerto Rico — they file locally with Hacienda instead. Act 60 offers additional incentives for qualifying new residents and businesses; see our Act 60 explainer for the eligibility and obligations.
Estimates, not quotes. These are survey estimates (medians), not price quotes — small towns carry wide margins of error, and the ACS lags fast-moving markets. Verify anything you'd sign a lease over.