Find out the average monthly salary in Uruguay
As prices in general are pretty expensive in Uruguay, I often get asked this. Let me share with you numbers from the National Statistics Institute from July 2020.
The figures look at the average income of a 2 adult, 2 child household and per person per month. You will see that salaries are higher in the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, compared to the rest of the country. Half of the nation’s population resides in the capital.
|
Montevideo |
Rest of Uruguay |
|
|
Average household income |
78,388 pesos |
53,501 pesos |
|
Average per capita income |
24,949 pesos |
17,139 pesos |
Over the last ten years a growing number of Europeans and North Americans have been moving to Uruguay. It’s partly down global factors and the progressive nature and long time stability of Uruguay’s laws and economy. The latter is an open secret in South America with Uruguay regarded as a safe haven for investors particularly those from Argentina for decades.
Now with Uruguay’s recent excellent response to the coronavirus epidemic, more and more people are considering Uruguay as a secure, desirable place to live.
But as you can see from the average salary in Uruguay, it’s not an easy place to make a living. One of the first questions that I ask my clients who contact me to help them figure out if Uruguay is a good fit for themselves and their families is how they are planning to support themselves.
The Numbeo website has figures that look in detail at the cost of living in Uruguay. I can testify that they look pretty accurate.
*We used xe.com to convert from Uruguayan pesos to US dollars.
Thinking of moving to Uruguay?
Relocation consultations
With Karen A Higgs, the founder of Guru’Guay & an internationally-recognised expert, regarding your unique situation and needs.
Related articles
“Uruguay is an eye of calm in a global storm”
This risk-management expert analyses the best countries for expats. Find out why he and his wife have just moved to Uruguay to live permanently.
Uruguay borders: Travel ban exemption to study Spanish
While the borders remain closed to non-citizens and residents, there is a legal way to get in to Uruguay. Studying Spanish. And it can take just 5-7 days.
Can I get into Uruguay right now?
Are you trying to travel to Uruguay right now? Find out what the current entry requirements are and if you meet them. UPDATED.
Uruguay borders to remain closed for the austral summer
Borders are still closed–with exceptions–to inbound travel as Uruguay continues to work to keep coronavirus numbers in check.
Flights to Uruguay during COVID
A collection of the latest information on flights and flying to Uruguay. Read our update regarding opening the borders to travelers.
What is the average salary in Uruguay?
I often get asked what salaries are like in Uruguay. If you have any idea of the cost of living, you may be surprised. Figures from July 2020.
Uruguay’s new tax residency requirements
Uruguay’s new government wants to attract immigration. Their first move, on tax residency, is aimed at neighboring Argentines but could benefit you too.
Can I apply for residency from outside Uruguay?
If moving to Uruguay is your #1 goal but you don’t meet current entry requirements, there may be another option–residency via a Uruguayan consulate.
Getting to Uruguay
“The great advice in your guide saved me $500USD on my airline ticket!” How to get to Uruguay from Argentina, Brazil, Europe, USA and Iguazú.
Post pandemic, US & Europeans want to move to safe Uruguay
There’s a boom in real estate enquiries following Uruguay’s solid response to COVID-19, demonstrating it’s one of the safest countries to live in the world.
What eating out costs in Uruguay
Get an idea what you are likely to spend on food and drink when eating out at restaurants and bars. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Flights to Uruguay: the best and worst airlines
The Guru gives you her honest take on airlines flying to Uruguay from the USA, Europe, Buenos Aires, Argentina & the Iguazu falls. UPDATED.
Thanks Guru’guay, I love your comments and they are very informative! I’m headed down there in mid November and we may try to stay at your place if the timing works out. Might I ask a question: We are 2 mid forties old friends coming to spend a week in Uruguay. Can you recommend a not-super-busy, interesting, local feeling, not super pricey, fun place with some night life to go on the coast? I think we’d avoid Punta, but Piriapolis, La Paloma, and La Pedrera all seem like they might be more to our liking and interests. Are things still pretty quiet in mid November? Need we book places to stay sooner than later? Thank you so much. -Jim
Hi Jim, so glad you are finding the posts useful! November is a GREAT time to visit Uruguay. We’d be delighted to receive you in the guesthouse if you manage it and we will do our best to make your time in Montevideo unique – I specialise in making recommendations of places to hang out, music, that are off the beaten track and virtually impossible to find if you don’t speak Spanish.
Your question is an excellent one and I have been planning a blog post on the best time to visit Uruguay and where to stay. Let me get back to you in a couple of days with a really decent answer, ok? Watch this space 🙂
Jim, here it is, my post on the best time to visit Uruguay, just for you! You’ll see that November is confirmed as an excellent month to visit for a host of reasons.
Regarding where to stay at the coast, you’ll see it will all be very quiet, even in Punta del Este. In fact Punta will be the one beach destination likely to have more stuff going on in the evening. The other beach destinations will really be for you to make your own entertainment, lovely and relaxing, but if you want some places to hang, then Punta will likely be your place. Hotels will likely have places but to get the one of your choice you may want to book ahead.
Dear Guru’guay,
I am recently married to a Uruguayan. We took a trip to Montevideo last year to visit her family and had a great time while visiting. I would consider living in Uruguay, however, there is one thing I just do not understand. How do people make it financially? I am flabbergasted when I see how much an apartment or house costs in Uruguay compared to the average annual salary. Am I missing something? Do you have any insights into how people in Uruguay make it day to day?
HI ! EVERYBODY
I AM AN INDIAN CITIZEN , AGE -38 , MARRIED AND WITH TWO KIDS AND A WIFE .
WANT TO IMMIGRATE TO ‘URUGUAY’ FOR PERMANENT SETTLEMENT , IS THERE ANY INDIAN CITIZEN WHO CAN GUIDE ME ABOUT LIFESTYLE , SECURITY , CARRIER AND AVERAGE EXPENSES , INCOME PER HOUSEHOLD A PERSON CAN EASILY GET AFTER INVESTING IN SOME LUCRATIVE BUSINESS / BY DOING A SMALL JOB OF SALES ‘ ?
AS A NEW IMMIGRANT I WOULD LIKE TO INVESTIGATE LOT OF THINGS BEFORE PLANNING TO IMMIGRATE TO A NEW COUNTRY , I HOPE YOU MUST UNDERSTAND MY CONCERN BEFORE PLANNING ANYTHING .
REGARDS
MANDEEP SINGH BAWEJA.
M: 92–11–9810509982
Hi Mandeep, I would suggest that you contact the Indian Expats in Uruguay group on Facebook. Good luck! Karen
HI ! THANX KAREN FOR YOUR KIND REPLY ! IL SURELY LOG IN FACEBOOK A/C FOR INDIAN EXPATS IN URUGUAY FOR MY QUERY . BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHETHER INDIAN’S ARE THERE IN URUGUAY OR NOT ?
THANX & REGARDS
MANDEEP SINGH
Hello , I m Rajinder kaur and I want to immigrant to Uruguay for pr with my son and husband. Please suggest me about job opportunities for commerce graduates in Uruguay. And also about stay for new immigrants in uruguay. Tell me that whether uruguay is a safe country for new immigrants and after which time period we would get pr there
Am 61 year young retiree with steady permanent income (retired) of +1700$US per month and considering Uruguay as ex pat retirement due to the country’s radical and vibrant Democracy. Am considering 21 day steamer down from US (bucket list) next summer for a six to seven month stay to check out the ‘real’ situation in preparation. Should it work out will bring wife down who also has +1400$US per month income. I am white, she is black, we are both college educated. Have done some research on the racial question and seems as though there may be some history of racial tensions. Your impression of this? We are interested in rural living as we do here in Arkansas. Any thoughts on this would be helpful. Where is a good place to HQ out of while researching the country from the street level?
I’m looking to relocate to Uruguay this fall, how would I go about finding long term rentals off the beaten path?
Hi Derrick, we’ll have something to offer you later in the year! But for now, when you say “off the beaten path” what are you looking for? Cheers, Karen
Hi, i’m 35 years old working as an engineer at Civil aviation authority of Bangladesh in CNS department. I want to invest in real estate sector in Montevideo.
That’s mean I want to buy home or flat/apartment and rent it.Please suggest me how to be an immigrant so that I can buy home/flat/apartment in Montevideo. Thanks.
Hi Kazi, if you have the money you can buy an apartment without any problem. There are no restrictions to property ownership by nationality in Uruguay. Check out this article on buying property in Uruguay. All the best Karen
I currently live in the USA , IN NEW YORK, WESTCHESTER COUNTY. I’M CONSIDERING LEAVING NEW YORK AND THE USA BECAUSE OF THE CRIME, RACISM, AND THE CHAOS WITH COVID-19. I’D LIKE INFO ABOUT HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT IN URUGUAY.