MigrantoCost of living in Uruguay
Average monthly spending, by standard of living and against other countries
Monthly cost
UYU 48,000
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
UYU 18,000richest 20%
UYU 146,000
Uruguay is the steady, settled corner of South America — stable, well-run, and pricier than much of the region for it. A strong state and a comfortable middle class come with real costs: taxes are part of the deal, and imported goods carry stiff prices. The thing to know is how uneven it can feel — the gap between a comfortable life here and a just-getting-by one is among the widest you'll meet, so your experience depends a great deal on where you land.
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What it costs to live in Uruguay
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Cost of living in Uruguay
UYU 18,000/mo
vs UYU 32,300 in your country
Take-home
UYU 28,000
vs UYU 48,500 in your country
Potential savings
UYU 10,000
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Uruguay compare
Among the region's economies, Uruguay comes in as one of the more expensive places to live, and it keeps a broadly similar standing worldwide. In a part of the world where many countries are genuinely cheap, that makes it stand out: its prices sit closer to Europe's than to most of its neighbors'. For someone deciding, that's the honest read — you're paying developed-world prices in a South American setting.
Data source: household consumption 2015 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Uruguay?
A typical person in Uruguay spends about UYU 48,000 a month — around UYU 576,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Uruguay in US dollars?
The cost of living in Uruguay is about $1,187 a month, or roughly $14,244 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Uruguay?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about UYU 18,000 a month per person, a typical one around UYU 48,000, and a comfortable life around UYU 70,700. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in Uruguay enough to live on?
Usually not quite. Average spending is about UYU 48,000 a month, while the average take-home pay in Uruguay is about UYU 44,600. For more on incomes, see salaries in Uruguay.
Is Uruguay an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Uruguay is more expensive than 76% of countries worldwide and ranks 5th of 33 in Latin America by cost of living.
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Living in Uruguay
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