Moving to Puerto Rico from Bahamas

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Bahamas to Puerto Rico? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Bahamas to Puerto Rico. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Puerto Rico compared to Bahamas.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

BS
31.2
PR
14.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BS
16.2
PR
12.5

Puerto Rico performs significantly better than Bahamas across all safety metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BS
3.6t
PR
4.8t

Bahamas performs better than Puerto Rico across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BS
20.5
PR
21.0
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

BS
94.0%
PR
77.7%

Bahamas generally does better on infrastructure, though Puerto Rico leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BS
9.2%
PR
6.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BS
$32,000
PR
$43,000

Puerto Rico generally does better on employment & economy, though Bahamas leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BS
76.1 yrs
PR
81.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BS
12.8
PR
6.0

Puerto Rico performs significantly better than Bahamas across all family life metrics.

Data: Ministry of Finance, Bahamas, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Bahamas and Puerto Rico. To live, work, or study long-term in Puerto Rico, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Puerto Rico's immigration authority.

Bahamas passport

Bahamas passport holder visiting Puerto Rico

Visa Required
Bahamas passport holders need a visa to enter Puerto Rico.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Puerto Rico?

Connectivity is usually fine (Puerto Rico: 21.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Puerto Rico offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Puerto Rico safe for expats?

Puerto Rico performs significantly better than Bahamas across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Puerto Rico is 14.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 31.2 in Bahamas.

What language do they speak in Puerto Rico?

The official languages in Puerto Rico are English and Spanish. In Bahamas, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

BS PR
Population 355,608 3,098,423
Currency Bahamian Dollar (BSD) United States Dollar ($)
Languages English English, Spanish
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +1242 +1
Time zones 1 1