Is it cheaper to live in Puerto Rico than the US?

Puerto Rico is cheaper than the US national average and dramatically cheaper than major US metros. PR moderate is $2,675 per person per month versus the US average of $3,275, making PR about 18 percent cheaper. The headline conceals significant variation. PR is much cheaper than New York ($5,775), Boston ($4,675), and Los Angeles ($4,350), and cheaper than Miami ($3,925). It is more expensive than mainland low-cost states like Mississippi ($2,325) and Alabama ($2,400), and cheaper than Florida ($3,500). The composition matters: PR housing in metro San Juan runs above the mainland mean but well below coastal metro pricing, while groceries run about 8 percent above mainland prices because of import dependence. Utilities run higher because of LUMA Energy rates. For a mainland-coastal-metro mover, PR is meaningfully cheaper; for a mainland-low-cost-state mover, it is not. For the full breakdown, see our Puerto Rico cost of living page.