Moving to Puerto Rico from United States
What to Expect
Everything you need to know before relocating from United States to Puerto Rico — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.
If you moved from United States to Puerto Rico, you would find that Puerto Rico is 21.0% cheaper than United States overall. A $75,000 salary in United States would need to be roughly $55,833 in Puerto Rico to maintain the same lifestyle.
How Far Will Your Money Go?
What to expect for your wallet after moving from United States to Puerto Rico.
What does your salary buy?
$75,000 → $55,833
To maintain the same standard of living in Puerto Rico
Calculate with your salary →Where you'll feel the difference day-to-day
Restaurants
pay 25.9% less
Groceries
pay 4.4% more
Transportation
pay 20.0% less
Housing
pay 14.8% less
Childcare
pay 62.6% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 25.9% less
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
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Who Else Is Making This Move?
How many people actually move from United States to Puerto Rico, based on official data.
people born in United States live in Puerto Rico · UN DESA
Key Indicator Comparison
Key indicators for anyone considering a move from United States to Puerto Rico.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
United States generally does better on safety, though Puerto Rico leads in road traffic deaths.
What about the environment?
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Puerto Rico performs significantly better than United States across all environment metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
higher means greater strain on freshwater supply
United States generally does better on infrastructure, though Puerto Rico leads in water stress level.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
the highest marginal rate on personal income
United States generally does better on employment & economy, though Puerto Rico leads in top income tax rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
United States generally does better on family life, though Puerto Rico leads in life expectancy.
Data: Internal Revenue Service, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between United States 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.
United States passport holder visiting Puerto Rico
Visa FreeData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Puerto Rico than United States?
Yes — Puerto Rico is on average about 26% cheaper than United States. City-level variation can be significant.
How much money do I need to move to Puerto Rico?
Plan for at least 3 months of living expenses — roughly $13,958 in Puerto Rico on a $75,000 comparable salary — plus one-off moving costs (flights, shipping, deposits, visa fees).
Can I work remotely from Puerto Rico?
Internet is rarely the blocker — Puerto Rico has 21.0 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.
Is Puerto Rico safe for expats?
United States generally does better on safety, though Puerto Rico leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Puerto Rico is 14.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 6.4 in United States.
What language do they speak in Puerto Rico?
The official languages in Puerto Rico are English and Spanish. In United States, the official language is English.
