Rio Grande, located in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, offers a unique blend of cultural richness and natural beauty. Understanding the cost of living in this city is crucial for anyone considering relocating or planning an extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you make informed financial decisions.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $19 on average, with a range between $12 and $30.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $57.5, with prices ranging from $35 to $150.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $6.99, with a range between $6.99 and $13.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $2 to $7, imported beer $3.5 to $6.5, cappuccino $2 to $7, and Coke/Pepsi $1.25 to $3.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.24 and $3.97 per liter, averaging $1.24.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.75 and $4.4, with an average price of $2.98.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $3.6 to $7.92, averaging $5.4.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $3.68 to $13.23 per kg, while oranges range from $2.76 to $6.61 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.52 and $7.32 per kg, and lettuce costs $2 to $3.49 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.9 and $1.08 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $10, with a cost of $1 to $2 per km and $60 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment outside the centre ranges from $620 to $3000, averaging $1810.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $173.54 and $700, averaging $366.69.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $35 to $120, with an average cost of $35.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 4 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$19.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$57.50
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$6.99
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.50
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.00
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.83
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.24
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.98
Eggs (regular) (12)
$5.40
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.63
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.91
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$15.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$11.40
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.69
Apples (1kg)
$4.75
Oranges (1kg)
$3.57
Potato (1kg)
$3.80
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.00
Rice (white), (1kg)
$2.67
Tomato (1kg)
$4.93
Banana (1kg)
$2.56
Onion (1kg)
$2.20
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$12.70
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.98
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$32,500.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$10.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.50
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$60.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$25,232.50
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,810.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$366.69
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$35.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$81.25
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$11.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$8.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.80
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$25.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$90.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$50.00
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
5%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$470.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$10,400.00
Rio Grande Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Rio Grande offers a diverse range of dining options, with prices varying significantly based on the type of restaurant.

Grocery prices in Rio Grande can be higher than average, particularly for items like eggs and fresh produce.

Transportation costs are relatively moderate, with gasoline prices being quite affordable.

Housing costs, especially for larger apartments outside the city centre, can vary widely, offering options for different budgets.

Utilities are a significant expense, with internet services being relatively affordable compared to other utilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of living in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, presents a mix of affordable and high-cost elements. Dining and transportation are reasonably priced, while groceries and utilities can be more expensive.

Prospective residents should carefully consider their budget, especially when it comes to housing and essential services, to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in this vibrant city.