Cost of Living: Puerto Rico vs Singapore

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Puerto Rico and Singapore.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Puerto Rico is 69.0% cheaper than Singapore. The biggest difference is in Mobile and Internet, where costs are 147.2% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Singapore, you would spend about $31 in Puerto Rico for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Property Prices 86.7%

Puerto Rico is 86.7% cheaper

Transportation 76.8%

Puerto Rico is 76.8% cheaper

Childcare 74.1%

Puerto Rico is 74.1% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 69.0%

Puerto Rico is 69.0% cheaper than Singapore

Most Expensive Categories

  • Mobile and Internet +147.2%
  • Household Utilities +91.6%
  • Restaurants +6.2%

Is Puerto Rico cheaper than Singapore?

Yes, Puerto Rico is cheaper than Singapore

Overall, living costs in Puerto Rico are 69.0% lower than in Singapore.

Where Puerto Rico is cheaper:

  • Property Prices 86.7% cheaper
  • Transportation 76.8% cheaper
  • Childcare 74.1% cheaper

Where Puerto Rico is more expensive:

  • Mobile and Internet 147.2% more expensive
  • Household Utilities 91.6% more expensive
  • Restaurants 6.2% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Puerto Rico: 15.00 $ Singapore: 10.90 $
37.6% more expensive in Puerto Rico

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Puerto Rico: 877.68 $ Singapore: 3,140.74 $
72.1% cheaper in Puerto Rico

Monthly public transport pass

Puerto Rico: 40.00 $ Singapore: 93.46 $
57.2% cheaper in Puerto Rico

1 liter of milk

Puerto Rico: 2.06 $ Singapore: 3.01 $
31.6% cheaper in Puerto Rico

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Puerto Rico is indeed cheaper than Singapore. You would save approximately 69.0% on living expenses by choosing Puerto Rico over Singapore. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

69.0%

Puerto Rico is 69.0% cheaper than Singapore

Restaurants

6.2%

Puerto Rico is 6.2% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Markets

38.3%

Puerto Rico is 38.3% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Other Expenses

15.7%

Puerto Rico is 15.7% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Transportation

76.8%

Puerto Rico is 76.8% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Household Utilities

91.6%

Puerto Rico is 91.6% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Mobile and Internet

147.2%

Puerto Rico is 147.2% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Sports And Leisure

45.0%

Puerto Rico is 45.0% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Childcare

74.1%

Puerto Rico is 74.1% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Clothing And Shoes

21.0%

Puerto Rico is 21.0% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Rent Per Month

72.1%

Puerto Rico is 72.1% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Property Prices

86.7%

Puerto Rico is 86.7% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Salaries And Financing

38.8%

Puerto Rico is 38.8% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Puerto Rico Singapore Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 15.00 $ 10.90 $ 37.6%
Puerto Rico is 37.6% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 75.00 $ 77.88 $ 3.7%
Puerto Rico is 3.7% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 9.00 $ 7.79 $ 15.5%
Puerto Rico is 15.5% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 3.26 $ 4.88 $ 33.2%
Puerto Rico is 33.2% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.59 $ 1.68 $ 5.4%
Puerto Rico is 5.4% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.25 $ 1.22 $ 2.5%
Puerto Rico is 2.5% more expensive
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.86 $ 1.52 $ 22.4%
Puerto Rico is 22.4% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml) 1.85 $ 2.00 $ 7.5%
Puerto Rico is 7.5% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 4.05 $ 2.49 $ 62.7%
Puerto Rico is 62.7% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 14.80 $ 10.00 $ 48.0%
Puerto Rico is 48.0% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 2.48 $ 2.21 $ 12.2%
Puerto Rico is 12.2% more expensive
Milk (1L) 2.06 $ 3.01 $ 31.6%
Puerto Rico is 31.6% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 3.10 $ 2.35 $ 31.9%
Puerto Rico is 31.9% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 2.31 $ 2.92 $ 20.9%
Puerto Rico is 20.9% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 5.06 $ 3.35 $ 51.0%
Puerto Rico is 51.0% more expensive
Local Cheese (1kg) 9.33 $ 19.37 $ 51.8%
Puerto Rico is 51.8% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 8.76 $ 11.15 $ 21.4%
Puerto Rico is 21.4% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 10.49 $ 15.21 $ 31.0%
Puerto Rico is 31.0% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 5.36 $ 4.57 $ 17.3%
Puerto Rico is 17.3% more expensive
Bananas (1kg) 2.59 $ 2.97 $ 12.8%
Puerto Rico is 12.8% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 3.95 $ 4.51 $ 12.4%
Puerto Rico is 12.4% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 4.59 $ 2.71 $ 69.4%
Puerto Rico is 69.4% more expensive
Potatoes (1kg) 3.19 $ 2.39 $ 33.5%
Puerto Rico is 33.5% more expensive
Onions (1kg) 2.76 $ 2.20 $ 25.5%
Puerto Rico is 25.5% more expensive
Lettuce (1 head) 2.64 $ 1.86 $ 41.9%
Puerto Rico is 41.9% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 40.00 $ 93.46 $ 57.2%
Puerto Rico is 57.2% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 11.00 $ 13.05 $ 15.7%
Puerto Rico is 15.7% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.75 $ 1.56 $ 12.2%
Puerto Rico is 12.2% more expensive
Taxi Base Fare 8.00 $ 3.58 $ 123.5%
Puerto Rico is 123.5% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 0.93 $ 0.78 $ 19.2%
Puerto Rico is 19.2% more expensive
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 27.50 $ 16.28 $ 68.9%
Puerto Rico is 68.9% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 0.97 $ 2.22 $ 56.3%
Puerto Rico is 56.3% cheaper
New Economy Car 35,000.00 $ 140,192.38 $ 75.0%
Puerto Rico is 75.0% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 27,321.43 $ 128,887.54 $ 78.8%
Puerto Rico is 78.8% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 303.22 $ 158.22 $ 91.6%
Puerto Rico is 91.6% more expensive
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 71.46 $ 18.54 $ 285.4%
Puerto Rico is 285.4% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 68.21 $ 37.95 $ 79.7%
Puerto Rico is 79.7% more expensive
Gym Membership 34.31 $ 115.77 $ 70.4%
Puerto Rico is 70.4% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 33.57 $ 12.22 $ 174.7%
Puerto Rico is 174.7% more expensive
Movie Ticket 9.00 $ 11.68 $ 22.9%
Puerto Rico is 22.9% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 427.38 $ 1,272.43 $ 66.4%
Puerto Rico is 66.4% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 7,610.00 $ 29,780.50 $ 74.4%
Puerto Rico is 74.4% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 48.03 $ 80.91 $ 40.6%
Puerto Rico is 40.6% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 46.33 $ 42.93 $ 7.9%
Puerto Rico is 7.9% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 86.16 $ 105.33 $ 18.2%
Puerto Rico is 18.2% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 100.23 $ 126.28 $ 20.6%
Puerto Rico is 20.6% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 877.68 $ 3,140.74 $ 72.1%
Puerto Rico is 72.1% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 636.13 $ 2,267.71 $ 71.9%
Puerto Rico is 71.9% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,621.15 $ 6,205.41 $ 73.9%
Puerto Rico is 73.9% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,148.33 $ 3,723.55 $ 69.2%
Puerto Rico is 69.2% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 3,172.65 $ 22,697.92 $ 86.0%
Puerto Rico is 86.0% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 1,850.39 $ 15,076.91 $ 87.7%
Puerto Rico is 87.7% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 2,537.83 $ 4,151.48 $ 38.9%
Puerto Rico is 38.9% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 5.57 3.17 75.7%
Puerto Rico is 75.7% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Singapore. Enter your monthly expenses in Puerto Rico to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Puerto Rico and Singapore goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Puerto Rico vs Singapore

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Puerto Rico

Singapore

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Puerto Rico Cost of living in Singapore

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