UruguayπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Ύ

At a Glance

How Uruguay compares across key indices

Quality of Life141Safety47Healthcare69Affordability54Climate98Clean Air43

Cost of Living

54 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

47/100

Healthcare

69/100

Quality of Life

141/200

Climate

98/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Uruguay

Cost of Living

54

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

14

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

53

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

59

100 = NYC dining

City Costs Comparison

Montevideo

Cheapest

$1,639/mo

Food$174

Safety & Crime

Moderate Risk

How safe residents feel in Uruguay β€” based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

47/100

Crime Index

53/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

75/100

Crime perceived as increasing

Walking Safety

Daytime69
Nighttime37

32 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Property crimes
High64
Drug-related crime
High63
Violent crimes
Moderate59
Corruption & bribery
Moderate47

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Being mugged or robbed
Moderate59
Things stolen from car
Moderate59
Home broken into
Moderate54
Car stolen
Moderate49
Being physically attacked
Moderate46
Being insulted or harassed
Low32
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low12

Based on 375 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Uruguay

Uruguay has 1 city with Numbeo data. Montevideo has the lowest estimated monthly cost at $1,639. Montevideo leads on safety, scoring 43/100. Montevideo ranks highest for quality of life at 140/200.

πŸ’ΈMost Affordable

Montevideo

$1,639/mo

Safest

Montevideo

43/100

Best Quality of Life

Montevideo

140/200

Best Healthcare

Montevideo

69/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Montevideo$1,63943/100140/20069/10046

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Uruguay

Healthcare Index

69/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment73/100
Accuracy & Completeness73/100
Staff Skill & Competency71/100
Friendliness & Courtesy71/100
Speed of Service65/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist50/100
Cost Satisfaction65/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 113 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Private
48.7%
Employer Sponsored
32.7%
Public
18.6%
Healthcare69Safety47Quality of Life141
Expat InsuranceRecommended Partner

Don't skip health insurance

Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.

A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR

Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Uruguay

Pollution Index

43/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality73/100
Air Quality71/100
Comfortable to Spend Time68/100
Green Spaces & Parks66/100
Clean & Tidy38/100
Garbage Disposal34/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution48/100
Water Pollution45/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 115 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Uruguay

Average One-Way Commute

40minutes

Average

Traffic Index

151

Moderate congestion

Inefficiency

164

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

3.6kg/trip

How People Commute

Bus/Trolleybus43.1%
Car31.9%
Walking13.9%
Working from Home6.9%
Motorcycle2.8%
Bicycle1.4%

Based on 72 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Uruguay, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Uruguay?

Uruguay has a cost of living index of 54 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,639 in Montevideo.

Is Uruguay safe for expats?

Uruguay has a safety index of 47/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Montevideo scores highest on safety at 43/100.

What is the best city in Uruguay for expats and digital nomads?

Montevideo ranks highest for quality of life in Uruguay, scoring 140/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,639/mo for a single person.

How good is healthcare in Uruguay?

Uruguay scores 69/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Uruguay cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Uruguay's cost of living is roughly 46% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 86% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Uruguay

Expat InsuranceRecommended Partner

Don't skip health insurance

Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.

A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR

Set Up International Banking

Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.

Get Connected

eSIM, VPN, and reliable internet β€” sorted before you land.

Book Your First Accommodation

Secure at least your first week. Having a home base makes everything else easier.

Find Flights

Find the cheapest flights with flexible date search. Set alerts for price drops on your route.

Flight Deals

Freedom Abroad helps you figure out the part nobody talks about: how to actually build a life in another country. Films, tools, and data. No fluff.

Learn about our mission