Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Puerto Rico instead of United States, you would:
Health
live 3.0 years longer
In United States, the average life expectancy is 79 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2024. In Puerto Rico, that number is 82 years (78 years for men, 85 years for women) as of 2024.
be 65.3% less likely to die by suicide
United States has a suicide rate of 15.6 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Puerto Rico, it is 5.4 per 100,000 as of 2021.
Economy
be 42.6% more likely to be unemployed
In United States, 4.2% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Puerto Rico, that number is 6.0% as of 2025.
make 54.9% less money
United States has a GDP per capita of $90,027 as of 2025, while in Puerto Rico, the GDP per capita is $40,620 as of 2025.
Life
be 35.3% less likely to die during childbirth
In United States, approximately 17.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Puerto Rico, 11.0 women do as of 2023.
have 46.2% fewer children
In United States, there are approximately 10.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Puerto Rico, there are 5.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
Expenditures
spend 21.2% less on education
United States spends 5.4% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. Puerto Rico spends 4.3% of total GDP on education as of 2024.
Geography
see 97.5% less coastline
United States has a total of 19,924 km of coastline. In Puerto Rico, that number is 501 km.
Safety
be 12.0% less likely to die in a road accident
In United States, road accidents kill 14.2 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Puerto Rico, they kill 12.5 per 100,000 as of 2021.
be 2.5 times more likely to be murdered
United States has a homicide rate of 5.8 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Puerto Rico, that number is 14.6 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Infrastructure
live with 30.6% less strain on fresh water
United States withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Puerto Rico withdraws 20% as of 2022.
find 28.0% less home broadband
United States has 38.9 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Puerto Rico has 28.0 as of 2024.
Environment
emit 64.6% less CO2
United States emits 13.6 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Puerto Rico emits 4.8 tonnes as of 2024.
Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators (2021). How we calculate this
Compare further: United States vs. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico: At a glance
How big is Puerto Rico compared to United States? See an in-depth size comparison.