Is Puerto Rico a good place to live? Discover the pros and cons of relocating to this tropical U.S. territory—from cost of living and healthcare to job options and lifestyle.
April 18, 2025
By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director, GWP
In 2024, 93% of the visitors to Puerto Rico came from the US. It’s close by, and you don’t need a visa to visit, so that makes a lot of sense.
While most people leave it at just a trip, a few fall completely in love with the US territory. They find themselves dreaming about having a life there, and you might be one of those people.
However, some things are better left as dreams, and you need to know before you actually move: Is Puerto Rico a good place to live?
Keep reading to find out the answer to this question.
Is Puerto Rico a Good Place to Live?
As you might’ve already guessed, the answer to this question is complicated. After all, what one person prefers may be completely different from another person, so it’s hard to give an objective answer on whether or not Puerto Rico is a good place to live.
With that said, living in a US territory means it’s pretty easy. You don’t need a passport to live there, and the US dollar is the official currency. Plus, it’s a bilingual island; Spanish and English are both widely used, but do note that Spanish is predominantly used in everyday life.
You should also be aware that while federal laws apply, residents can’t vote in presidential elections unless they’re living in a US state.
Now, let’s go over the various factors of living in Puerto Rico. We’ll discuss the pros and cons.
Quality of Life
One of the first things that people look at when moving is the quality of life. Moving can be scary, so knowing what’s waiting for you at the other end can make or break your decision.
Pros
There’s no denying that Puerto Rico is a gorgeous place with beautiful beaches, mountains, and rainforests. Not to mention, there’s great weather all year, so you don’t have to worry about winter blues. This means that there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as surfing, hiking, diving, etc.
In addition, there’s a strong sense of community and family. There are lots of vibrant music, art, and cultural festivals to partake in.
Cons
There’s a slower pace of life in Puerto Rico, which many people seek out. However, it can be frustrating to some.
Also, there are infrastructure challenges, like power outages. Be prepared to deal with unpredictability in this aspect.
Cost of Living
Quality of life can be high, but it’ll mean very little if the cost of living is too high for you to afford. In general, Puerto Rico is more affordable than many mainland US cities, but it’ll definitely depend on your lifestyle and location.
Pros
If you stick to smaller towns, then there are certainly cheaper options for housing. Also, buying property is legal and fairly straightforward for Americans.
As far as utilities go, water and the internet are usually reliable, despite infrastructure challenges.
Cons
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in San Juan will cost you anywhere between $950 to over $1,600 a month. But this is the capital, and as we’ve said, there are cheaper options if you turn to smaller towns.
While water and the internet are usually reliable, the electricity isn’t, and outages are common. Plus, it’s expensive. And you’ll want to put aside a good portion of your budget for groceries, as they’re more expensive due to import costs.
Healthcare
Healthcare’s another huge point to consider, especially if you have health issues. Even if you don’t, you never know if something might crop up, so you want to be prepared to have the best care possible.
Pros
There’s decent medical care in Puerto Rico, especially in urban areas like San Juan, Ponce, and Bayamón. There’s a public healthcare system, but do note that private hospitals offer higher-quality services. Because of this, many expats opt for private health insurance or medical tourism if they need complex care.
Cons
While there’s a public healthcare system, it’s underfunded, and there are inequalities in the care people get. In addition, many doctors move to mainland US for better pay, and as a result, there are shortages of them in Puerto Rico.
Jobs and Economy
Without a job and stable economy in the place you live, you might struggle. Here’s what you can expect in these two areas.
Pros
There are several industries that are popular, especially with expats. They include:
- Tourism
- Healthcare
- Pharmaceuticals
- Remote work
Also, many Americans move to Puerto Rico to work remotely while benefiting from Act 60 tax benefits, which essentially makes it a sort of tax haven.
Cons
There’s a relatively high unemployment rate; it was 5.96% in 2023, which was a slight decrease from previous years. There are limited local job opportunities too.
Education
Are you moving with kids, or are you planning on having them or pursuing higher education yourself? Then you’ll want to know about the education system.
Pros
The public schools are free, so you won’t have to pay anything to send your children to school. If that’s not to your liking, then you’ll be glad to know that homeschooling is legal and is becoming more and more popular.
As for higher education, the University of Puerto Rico offers affordable classes.
Cons
Yes, public schools are free, but they’re often under-resourced. There are private and bilingual schools that offer better quality, but they can be expensive.
Transportation
How easy it is to get around can also make a place appealing or not attractive. Unfortunately, one of the only pros here is that Uber and taxis are available in tourist hubs.
Cons
Public transportation is limited, especially outside of San Juan. Because of this, most residents own a car, but road conditions can vary. In cities like San Juan, traffic can be very heavy.
Will You Move to Puerto Rico?
So, is Puerto Rico a good place to live? Generally speaking, yes. Not only does it have nice weather and ease of relocating for Americans, but it’s also relatively safe. The cost of living can be lower than in the US, and the quality of life is good.
Of course, like with any place, there are disadvantages to living in Puerto Rico. But that’s up to you to weigh up and determine if they detract enough from the positives to discourage you from moving at all.
Contact us today to find out how Global Wealth Protection can help protect your assets in any international move.
