COST OF LIVING
IN URuGUAY
Prices in Uruguay in 2026: Can I Afford Life in a New Setting?
Uruguay is often called one of the most stable and comfortable countries in Latin America. But how much money do you actually need to live here as a family—peacefully, without extravagance, yet without constantly cutting corners?
Let’s look at a real-life example: a couple with a school-aged child renting a two-bedroom apartment.
Let’s look at a real-life example: a couple with a school-aged child renting a two-bedroom apartment.
This article was prepared by the experts at Uruguay Smart Estate.
Major Expenses: Housing
Major Expenses: Housing
As everywhere, the main expenses for a family are rent and related costs.
A two-bedroom apartment (1 bedroom + living room) suitable for comfortable living for a couple with a child in the capital and surrounding suburbs will cost around $1,000–$1,200 per month. In smaller towns like Atlántida or Piriápolis, you can find slightly lower prices. In more prestigious neighborhoods, rents start at $1,300+.
Keep in mind that you will need to pay utilities separately, which on average are:
A two-bedroom apartment (1 bedroom + living room) suitable for comfortable living for a couple with a child in the capital and surrounding suburbs will cost around $1,000–$1,200 per month. In smaller towns like Atlántida or Piriápolis, you can find slightly lower prices. In more prestigious neighborhoods, rents start at $1,300+.
Keep in mind that you will need to pay utilities separately, which on average are:
- Water and gas: $50–100
- Internet: $50–70
- Mobile phone: $25–50 per person (depending on the provider)
- Electricity can become a significant expense, especially during the winter months.
Food Expenses
Food Expenses
Food expenses largely depend on your preferences, habits, and lifestyle. If the family cooks at home, the budget remains moderate. The average monthly grocery bill is around $500–$800. Store prices can be checked on supermarket websites (links provided below).
Eating out at restaurants and cafés can significantly increase this amount. For example:
Eating out at restaurants and cafés can significantly increase this amount. For example:
- A cup of coffee: $3–$5
- McDonald’s combo: ~$15
- Dinner at a mid-range restaurant: $80–$100
Healthcare and Education Costs
Healthcare and Education Costs
Although you can initially use free public healthcare, we strongly recommend considering private insurance. Costs are approximately as low as $100 per adult and $50 per child per month for a basic plan. Private insurance provides faster access to doctors, shorter wait times, and more comfort.
Education is guaranteed by the Uruguayan constitution for all children, including foreigners. Children with legal residency can attend public kindergartens and schools for free.
In practice, many parents choose private schools. The reasons usually include:
Social Life and Additional Costs
Another aspect of Uruguayan school life, rarely mentioned in financial guides, directly impacts the family budget: birthday parties. In schools, it is customary to invite almost the entire class, and sometimes even parallel grades. This means your child is likely to receive invitations 30–50 times per year. Average gift cost: $15–$25 per party, depending on the type of celebration and the school. This is a pleasant but noticeable expense — part of your child’s active social integration into the local community.
Education is guaranteed by the Uruguayan constitution for all children, including foreigners. Children with legal residency can attend public kindergartens and schools for free.
In practice, many parents choose private schools. The reasons usually include:
- A broader curriculum than the standard public program
- Enhanced foreign languages instruction
- Additional extracurricular activities
- A social environment that aligns with family expectations and future plans
Social Life and Additional Costs
Another aspect of Uruguayan school life, rarely mentioned in financial guides, directly impacts the family budget: birthday parties. In schools, it is customary to invite almost the entire class, and sometimes even parallel grades. This means your child is likely to receive invitations 30–50 times per year. Average gift cost: $15–$25 per party, depending on the type of celebration and the school. This is a pleasant but noticeable expense — part of your child’s active social integration into the local community.
-
Surprisingly Expensive
- Luxury items: watches, jewelry
- Imported products: including some medications
- McDonald’s: one of the most expensive in the world
- Local craft beer: can cost up to $6 per bottle, significantly more than imported beers like German brands
- Utilities: electricity, water, gas — costs vary depending on the area
- Gasoline: approximately $2 per liter
-
Affordable and Enjoyable
- Transportation: including city buses, Uber, and intercity buses
- Children’s extracurricular activities: sports, music, and hobby classes
- High-quality meat: local beef
- Local wine: excellent quality at low prices
- Seasonal vegetables: fresh and affordable at markets
- Dairy products and cheese
Useful links
Useful links
DISCO
Mid-range pricing supermarket
Tienda Inglesa
Premium supermarket
On local Uruguayan websites, the $ symbol represents prices in Uruguayan pesos (UYU). To convert to U.S. dollars (USD), divide the peso amount by the current exchange rate (roughly 1 USD ≈ 40 UYU, though it can fluctuate).
If the price is already in U.S. dollars, it will be indicated as USD or US$.
Mid-range pricing supermarket
Tienda Inglesa
Premium supermarket
On local Uruguayan websites, the $ symbol represents prices in Uruguayan pesos (UYU). To convert to U.S. dollars (USD), divide the peso amount by the current exchange rate (roughly 1 USD ≈ 40 UYU, though it can fluctuate).
If the price is already in U.S. dollars, it will be indicated as USD or US$.
!
Tips from USE
Tips from USE
No matter how much you earn, it always makes sense to save. Even with a good income in Uruguay, using available ways to cut costs—especially on monthly groceries—can make a real difference.
Supermarket promotions
Major supermarket chains like Tienda Inglesa, Disco, Devoto, and Géant run daily themed promotions. For example, Tuesday — discounts on meat and poultry. By aligning your shopping with these schedules, you can save 20–40% on these categories.
Seasonal products
Buying fruits and vegetables in season is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save. When cherries, peaches, strawberries, melons, pumpkins, and eggplants are in season, prices can drop 3–5 times compared to off-season. Local farm products are almost always cheaper than imported ones during their peak season.
Loyalty cards and cashback
Chains like Frog offer up to 10% cashback on purchases. Disco, Devoto, and Tienda Inglesa also have loyalty programs with discounts, bonuses, and doubled cashback on certain days.
“Buy X, get Y free” promotions
Typical offers like “3 for 2,” “4 for 3,” or “6 for 3” are classic in Uruguayan supermarkets, often applied to yogurt, milk, coffee, diapers, hygiene products, frozen foods, and beer.
Markets (ferias)
Farmers’ and municipal markets often offer lower prices than supermarkets on vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, cheese, honey, and fish.
Shopping malls
In large malls like Montevideo Shopping, Punta Carretas Shopping, and Tres Cruces, loyalty cards provide perks such as extra discounts, reward points, and more.
Real discounts
In Uruguay, sales are usually genuine. If a sign says “30% OFF,” it is really a 30% discount. The key is to follow promotions and plan your shopping around them.
Housing and rentals
For renting or buying a home, it’s highly recommended to work with local real estate experts to get the best value for your money. If you’re looking for housing in Montevideo or any other city in Uruguay—or planning a move—contact us, and we can find options tailored to your budget, preferred neighborhood, and family needs.
Supermarket promotions
Major supermarket chains like Tienda Inglesa, Disco, Devoto, and Géant run daily themed promotions. For example, Tuesday — discounts on meat and poultry. By aligning your shopping with these schedules, you can save 20–40% on these categories.
Seasonal products
Buying fruits and vegetables in season is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save. When cherries, peaches, strawberries, melons, pumpkins, and eggplants are in season, prices can drop 3–5 times compared to off-season. Local farm products are almost always cheaper than imported ones during their peak season.
Loyalty cards and cashback
Chains like Frog offer up to 10% cashback on purchases. Disco, Devoto, and Tienda Inglesa also have loyalty programs with discounts, bonuses, and doubled cashback on certain days.
“Buy X, get Y free” promotions
Typical offers like “3 for 2,” “4 for 3,” or “6 for 3” are classic in Uruguayan supermarkets, often applied to yogurt, milk, coffee, diapers, hygiene products, frozen foods, and beer.
Markets (ferias)
Farmers’ and municipal markets often offer lower prices than supermarkets on vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, cheese, honey, and fish.
Shopping malls
In large malls like Montevideo Shopping, Punta Carretas Shopping, and Tres Cruces, loyalty cards provide perks such as extra discounts, reward points, and more.
Real discounts
In Uruguay, sales are usually genuine. If a sign says “30% OFF,” it is really a 30% discount. The key is to follow promotions and plan your shopping around them.
Housing and rentals
For renting or buying a home, it’s highly recommended to work with local real estate experts to get the best value for your money. If you’re looking for housing in Montevideo or any other city in Uruguay—or planning a move—contact us, and we can find options tailored to your budget, preferred neighborhood, and family needs.