How Much Does It Cost To Move to Puerto Rico From the US?
Fact Checked by: The simple cost to move to Puerto Rico from the US should range between $4,000 and $7,000 in most cases. This includes the simple shipping costs we’ve outlined and the possible addition of services like packing, crating, additional insurance and more.
Since this isn’t technically an international move, booking with a container mover like U-Pack is an option. This can save you money, especially if you handle packing and loading on your own.
No matter your choice, your costs will break down as follows:
- Moving costs: Moving to Puerto Rico will be a costly process no matter how you do it. Both full-service and container movers will charge you based on move distance and shipment volume. Full-service movers also charge for labor and supplies like moving boxes, blankets and tape. Seasonality can also factor, as movers charge higher rates during peak moving season between May and September.
- Living Expenses: We recommend saving up six months of living expenses before moving.
- Airfare: One-way economy tickets cost between $100 and $400 from most points in the contiguous 48 states.
- Setup costs: According to Numbeo, a single person’s living costs would total $1,983.35 per month with rent. Expect to also pay a security deposit equal to one month’s rent when signing a lease.
- Background check: Applying for tax status as a Puerto Rican resident requires submitting a background check from your current state. These can range between $50 and $200, depending on how comprehensive a check you need.
Once you’ve committed to moving to Puerto Rico from the US, you’ll be able to get quotes from top international moving companies. You should get three quotes from either full-service or container companies to be sure that you’re fully informed about your costs and service options.
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If you have a personal vehicle that you’d like to take with you, getting car shipping quotes is also recommended. We’ve researched all aspects of your moving costs and life in Puerto Rico here.
Average cost of moving to Puerto Rico from the US
Between ocean and air freight, we estimate that shipping costs between the US and Puerto Rico should total between $1,500 and $3,200 for most home sizes. We think you should consider both options for shipments between these locations.
Sending your items via shipping container will mean waiting for one to three weeks until your furniture and goods arrive. Air freight can arrive and clear customs in two days to a week, but will come at a higher cost.
Sea freight costs from the US to Puerto Rico
Shipping your goods via a sealed container on a cargo vessel is the cheapest option for most moves that require overseas shipments. The most obvious downside to this is that you’ll be without the bulk of your items for a longer time. However, shipping times to Puerto Rico from most US ports are brief.
| From | To | Container Cost | Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | San Juan | $1,400–$1,700 | 5–7 days |
| Miami | San Juan | $1,200–$1,500 | 3–5 days |
| Houston | San Juan | $1,600–$1,900 | 4–6 days |
| Los Angeles | San Juan | $2,000–$2,500 | 8–12 days |
*Source: Inter World Freight cost data and delivery timelines for fully-loaded 20-foot containers.
Air freight costs from the US to Puerto Rico
Air shipments offer the fastest turnaround time of any move method. However, this convenience comes at higher per-kilogram costs. We’ve listed the average cost of sending a smaller pallet of essentials between the US and Puerto Rico here.
We think that sending the majority of your goods via ocean-bound shipping container while setting aside a small amount of essentials for expedited delivery is an effective strategy for a smooth move.
| From | To | Container Cost | Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | San Juan | $300–$700 | 2–4 days |
| Miami | San Juan | $300–$700 | 2–4 days |
| Houston | San Juan | $300–$700 | 2–4 days |
| Los Angeles | San Juan | $300–$700 | 2–4 days |
*Source: Freightos.com average shipping rate for 100 kilograms of air freight.
How much does it cost to live in Puerto Rico?
Overall living costs are 7.9% cheaper in Puerto Rico than in the US, according to Numbeo resident data. Housing costs are the biggest single contributor to this difference, with rent being 50.6% cheaper.
Personal transportation and utilities are both notably more expensive in Puerto Rico, but this doesn’t offset the lower cost of many other amenities including food. You also won’t have to deal with currency exchanges after moving; all businesses here accept the US dollar.
Housing costs in Puerto Rico
We compared rent prices between two comparable cities in the US and Puerto Rico. Both rent and home ownership are substantially more affordable in San Juan, with one-bedroom costs being 27% lower.
The current median home price in the states is $419,200. BestNeighborhood.org reports a median home value of $121,319. This is substantially lower, but you’ll see higher prices in some more in-demand neighborhoods in San Juan, Guaynabo and other areas.
| Apartment | Anaheim, CA | San Juan | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR rental | $2,200 | $1,606.25 | -27% |
| 3BR rental | $3,400 | $2,288.89 | -32.7% |
| Price per sq. ft. (for purchase) | $665.51 | $409.18 | -38.5% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of San Juan and Anaheim (March 2025)
Finding a home in Puerto Rico is a straightforward process. We recommend that you work with a licensed agent when finding accommodations after a move from the US to any location. Here, you can use many of the same home listing sites that operate in the states for your search. Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com all list homes across the island.
Hurricanes and extreme tropical storm systems do impact home ownership here. We recommend researching how different towns and cities have been impacted by the weather before purchasing or renting.
If you’re in the beginning phase of your home search, we’ve listed a few locations to consider:
- San Juan: This tourist hub offers plenty of festivals and nightlife options along with its white sand beaches. You’ll also encounter English more frequently here, which could make communication easier immediately after moving.
- Rincon: This city on the western side of the island is largely a surf town with many restaurants and dining options. It also has good safety ratings for tourists and residents alike.
- Dorado: This luxury community west of San Juan is known for its golf courses, beaches and community events. Its schools and safety ratings make it a good option if you have children or plan to start a family.
Utilities costs in Puerto Rico
Basic housing utilities are among the most expensive amenities for Puerto Rican residents, relative to the states. You’ll pay 166.6% more for electricity and similar services here.
| Utility | Anaheim, CA | San Juan | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Basic housing utilities | $194.44 | $518.33 | +166.6% |
| Internet | $73.33 | $73.33 | 0% |
| Monthly cell phone plan | $54.33 | $79.17 | +45.7% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of San Juan and Anaheim (March 2025)
*Based on the combined cost of electricity, water/sewer, and trash for a 915 square foot apartment as of March 2025
Food costs in Puerto Rico
Dining out is cheaper across the board in most locations on the island. Certain grocery items like dairy goods and alcoholic beverages are more expensive, however.
| Food | Anaheim, CA | San Juan | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast food meal | $15 | $9.62 | -35.9% |
| 3-course meal at a mid-range restaurant | $100 | $82 | -18% |
| Gallon of milk | $4.63 | $9.29 | +100.7% |
| 1 dozen eggs | $5.45 | $6.08 | +11.6% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of San Juan and Anaheim (March 2025)
Transportation costs in Puerto Rico
Public transit is a cheap option in Puerto Rico, with monthly passes costing 42% less in San Juan than in Anaheim. The lack of reliability of this service here makes having a personal vehicle worth it; given the resident data submitted to Numbeo, this is an affordable choice.
| Transportation Mode | Anaheim, CA | San Juan | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way public transit ticket | $2 | $1.50 | -25% |
| Monthly public transit pass | $69 | $40 | -42% |
| Cost of one gallon of gas | $4.74 | $3.65 | -23% |
| *Cost to buy a new car | $25,791.09 | $26,065.83 | +1.1% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of San Juan and Anaheim (March 2025)
*Based on the cost of Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort or equivalent new vehicle as of March 2025
Education costs in Puerto Rico
Early childhood and international primary school education are also dramatically more affordable in Puerto Rico. Cost comparisons between Anaheim and San Juan show a 71.9% difference in international school costs.
| Type of Education | Anaheim, CA | San Juan | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-day private preschool/kindergarten (monthly) | $1,425 | $470 | -67% |
| International primary school (annual) | $37,000 | $10,400 | -71.9% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of San Juan and Anaheim (March 2025)
Puerto Rico’s visa & immigration requirements
Puerto Rico’s status as a territory of the United States means that you won’t need a visa, passport or any special paperwork to move to and set up residency. It’s almost as simple as moving to another state, aside from the logistics of overseas shipping and moving costs.
Additionally, Puerto Rico uses the US dollar, which makes budgeting for and planning your move and life in a new country much simpler.
Moving to Puerto Rico from the US
Relocating to Puerto Rico from the US is relatively simple due to the lack of visa requirements for both temporary and permanent residency. You’ll likely have to hire an international moving company, due to the need for overseas freight arrangements.
You should confirm your employment status in Puerto Rico before relocating. This can either mean securing a job offer from an employer based there, or getting permission from a current employer to work remotely after your move. Landlords in any location will require proof of income or funds before renting you a home.
Next, you’ll be able to look into full-service movers to assist you. Along with traditional international movers, U-Pack is a great semi-DIY option that also operates in Puerto Rico.
Top international moving companies
Regardless of your choice of mover, we recommend that you get at least three free quotes before settling on a provider. Your moving cost for a relocation between the states and Puerto Rico will likely total at least $4,000 to $5,000. Depending on your move size, you could see pricing range up to $10,000 or more.
Getting multiple opinions from some of the best international movers is key to getting the best possible price.
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Moving container companies
Some of our choices for the best moving container companies operate in Puerto Rico as well. As this technically won’t be an international move, price points won’t be too extreme. Pricing starts at $1,000 for shorter, smaller moves between the states and Puerto Rico, and can range up to $7,000 or more. If you choose to go this route for your move, many container movers offer quick quotes online and require minimal deposits up-front.
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Shipping your vehicle to Puerto Rico
Vehicle shipping is a common component for many overseas moves and will usually cost between $1,000 and $5,000. Some movers like International Van Lines and JK Moving offer this as a separate add-on.
If your mover or container company can’t assist you in this area, then getting quotes from one of the best car shipping companies can help to simplify things.
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Tips for moving to Puerto Rico from the US
Successful moves require comprehensive planning. Even though a relocation to Puerto Rico is still domestic travel, writing a full moving checklist before your big day is a great way to stay organized.
We recommend that you begin the planning phase at least four months ahead of time. Here are a few things to consider:
- Downsize: This is a good idea at the start of any moving process. Since movers charge based on weight and volume, decluttering will help you to save money and simplify your relocation.
- Pack yourself: Packing your own goods is another way to save money and reduce stress. Doing this will also help as you downsize.
- Learn Spanish: English is common in many tourist locations, but you shouldn’t rely on that if you’re establishing residency in Puerto Rico. Signing up for classes or taking other measures to achieve basic understanding of the language is recommended.
- Prepare background checks and driving records: Becoming a resident and filing taxes in Puerto Rico will require that you prove good moral standing. You’ll have to get a background check from your current state of residence during tax time.
FAQ
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