How Much Does It Cost to Live in Montevideo? Telling It Like It Is
Hi, I’m Julia, and today I’ll tell you honestly how much it costs to live in Montevideo. No fluff, no sugar-coating — just facts and my personal experience.
Overall — not expensive, if you compare
If you’ve ever lived in Moscow, New York, or somewhere like Paris, Montevideo will be a pleasant surprise. It’s not super cheap, but it’s also not "sky-high prices". It all depends on how you spend.
Housing
On average, a decent apartment in a good area will cost $800 a month. Add another $150 or so for utilities — electricity, water, internet, the usual stuff. Of course, you can find cheaper if you don’t mind older buildings or simpler neighborhoods.
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Food and Cafés
Food here is honestly great. At local markets, you can get excellent products for less than in supermarkets. There are even whole spots selling Brazilian goods — and there, prices are 2–3 times lower. For example, a bottle of good whiskey costs $30 in a store, but $15 at the market. Cigarettes, sweets, and lots of Brazilian products — much cheaper.
Eating out? Totally doable for $20 for two — meat, pizza, drinks, the whole deal. And at McDonald’s, you can grab a solid burger for just $2. No joke.
Transportation
Taxis are affordable. For $20 you can cross half the city. Buses are a steal — $2 per ride. And if you buy a bike for $1000 or less, you can just cruise around for free, like many locals do.
There are also intercity buses — for example, a ride to Piriápolis (about 100 km) will cost $10 per person. There are ferries and flights too, depending on your plans.
Clothes and Shopping
Clothes — depends on your taste, but if you're not chasing brands, Chinese or local stuff is very reasonably priced. I was especially impressed with locally made leather goods — high quality and much cheaper than anywhere else.
Beauty and Self-care
Beauty salons here won’t wreck your budget. Men’s haircut — up to $10, women’s — up to $20. A manicure with design — $10, and not some sloppy job, but actually really good. Hair coloring varies, but still way more affordable than in Europe or the US.
Insurance and Healthcare
Health insurance costs about the same as in other countries. Nothing crazy — just pick a clinic and plan that works for you.
Cars — here's the painful part
Now, a downside: cars here are expensive. New ones are almost twice the price compared to Europe or the US. Old cars? Even worse. A 20-year-old car will cost you what you’d pay for a decent vehicle in the States. Insurance — $500, taxes — another $500 per year, if the car costs around $15,000. If it’s more expensive — expect everything else to be pricier too.
Repairs? Another thing. Volkswagen — no problem, but for most other brands, you’ll have to go through official dealers, and that costs 3 times more than a normal repair shop.
Bottom Line: You Can Live Well, If You’re Smart About It
Life in Montevideo can be comfortable and budget-friendly, as long as you don’t try to live “like in Europe” in every detail. Apartments and restaurants — yes, a bit pricey. But food, transport, beauty services, clothes — totally affordable.
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