Cost of Living in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan is a city in Puerto Rico, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,021 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,809 per month, or $814 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 119 Mbps median download speed. On safety, San Juan scores 38/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 86°F and winter highs around 82°F, with roughly 294 sunny days a year.
How San Juan Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, San Juan ranks in the top 41% for air quality, but sits in the bottom 15% for safety. It costs more than 64% of them.
| Metric | San Juan | World rank | Rank in Latin America & Caribbean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,021 | #218 of 340 | #62 of 63 |
| Safety | 38/100 | #291 of 340 | #42 of 63 |
| Healthcare | 63/100 | #217 of 340 | #16 of 63 |
| Internet speed | 119 Mbps | #219 of 340 | #27 of 63 |
| Walkability | 55/100 | #166 of 340 | #24 of 63 |
| Public transit | 40/100 | #157 of 340 | #17 of 63 |
| Food scene | 72/100 | #178 of 340 | #24 of 63 |
| Air quality | 84/100 | #137 of 340 | #16 of 63 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to San Juan
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than San Juan.
- Vitoria, Brazil — $893/mo, 56% cheaper, safety 42/100
- Cartagena, Colombia — $960/mo, 52% cheaper, safety 38/100
- Santa Marta, Colombia — $751/mo, 63% cheaper, safety 38/100
- Florianopolis, Brazil — $1,047/mo, 48% cheaper, safety 50/100
Everyday Prices in San Juan, Compared
| Item | San Juan | Against other cities |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR rent, city centre | $1,809/mo | Pricier than 81% |
| 1BR rent, outside centre | $814/mo | Pricier than 53% |
| Utilities | $353/mo | Pricier than 95% |
| Home internet | $70/mo | Pricier than 83% |
| Transit pass | $30/mo | Cheaper than 71% |
| Gym membership | $41/mo | Cheaper than 62% |
| Cheap restaurant meal | $19.56 | Pricier than 75% |
| Cappuccino | $3.83 | Pricier than 64% |
| Local beer at a bar | $3 | Cheaper than 66% |
Compared with every other city in Voyica's price data that reports the same item.
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in San Juan
Communities & Expat Groups
Puerto Rico Digital Nomads
San Juan FAQ
How much does it cost to live in San Juan?
A single person should budget around $2,021 per month in San Juan, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $4,166 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in San Juan?
A one-bedroom apartment in central San Juan averages $1,809 per month, dropping to about $814 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,758.
Is San Juan safe?
San Juan scores 38/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 55/100.
How fast is the internet in San Juan?
Median download speeds in San Juan are around 119 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 18 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Puerto Rico offer a digital nomad visa?
Puerto Rico does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 365 days visa-free.
What is the weather like in San Juan?
San Juan sees summer highs around 86°F and winter highs near 82°F, with about 294 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 164 days.
San Juan in our travel guides
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