Ponce, PR Cost of Living & Rent Affordability
Data updated · Sources: HUD FY 2027 Fair Market Rents, EPI 2026 Family Budget · Methodology
Empirical HUD Fair Market Rents, 30% Housing Affordability Workbench, EPI living wage benchmarks, and local labor purchasing power in Ponce, PR (Puerto Rico).
Rent Affordability Workbench
HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) Schedule
Official HUD Fair Market Rents and statutory 30% affordability thresholds.
| Unit Type | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | Required Salary (30% Rule) | Required Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-BRStudio Apartment | $505 | $6,060 | $20,200 | $9.71/hr |
| 1-BR1-Bedroom Apartment | $526 | $6,312 | $21,040 | $10.12/hr |
| 2-BR2-Bedroom Apartment | $573 | $6,876 | $22,920 | $11.02/hr |
| 3-BR3-Bedroom Apartment | $793 | $9,516 | $31,720 | $15.25/hr |
Itemized Monthly Living Budget
Economic Policy Institute (EPI) realistic non-discretionary expenditure breakdown.
| Expenditure Category | Single Adult (Monthly) | Working Family (Monthly) | Family Multiple |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EPI Family Budget Calculator does not publish budgets for this area. | |||
EPI Living Wage · Single Adult
Minimum hourly rate required for a single working adult to cover basic necessities without public or private assistance.
EPI Living Wage · Two Working Adults, One Child
Hourly pay each of two full-time working adults needs to cover the EPI family budget for two adults and one child. Annual and monthly figures are for the whole household.
Local Occupations vs Rent Burden Matrix
Empirical median salaries, estimated after-tax take-home pay, and % of net income consumed by a 1-bedroom apartment.
| Occupation Title | Category | Median Salary | Est. Monthly Net | 1BR Rent % of Net | Affordability Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Healthcare | $38,570 | $2,774 | 19.0% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | Industrial Manufacturing | $36,440 | $2,633 | 20.0% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Accountant & Auditor | Finance | $37,980 | $2,735 | 19.2% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Quality Control Inspector | Industrial Manufacturing | $28,600 | $2,114 | 24.9% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| General and Operations Managers | Finance & Management | $64,000 | $4,298 | 12.2% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Administrative Services Managers | Finance & Management | $64,510 | $4,328 | 12.2% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Financial Manager | Finance | $77,470 | $5,000 | 10.5% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Electrician | Skilled Trades | $37,440 | $2,699 | 19.5% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | Finance & Management | $82,590 | $5,265 | 10.0% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Chief Executives | Finance & Management | $81,730 | $5,220 | 10.1% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Project Management Specialist | Business Operations | $46,920 | $3,311 | 15.9% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Welder | Skilled Trades | $31,680 | $2,318 | 22.7% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Industrial Production Managers | Finance & Management | $130,550 | $7,667 | 6.9% | Comfortable (<28%) |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | Finance & Management | $64,910 | $4,351 | 12.1% | Comfortable (<28%) |
Peer Metros Cost Arbitrage
Cost of living indices, 1BR rents, and EPI living wages compared against peer metropolitan markets.
| Metropolitan Area | COL Index | Index Delta | HUD 1BR Rent | Rent Delta | Living Wage | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJNY | 181.0 | Not published | $2,729 | +$2,203 | $40.03/hr | Inspect |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CACA | 144.2 | Not published | $2,402 | +$1,876 | $31.89/hr | Inspect |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-INIL | 125.8 | Not published | $1,780 | +$1,254 | $27.82/hr | Inspect |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TXTX | 107.4 | Not published | $1,261 | +$735 | $23.75/hr | Inspect |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MDPA | 119.9 | Not published | $1,558 | +$1,032 | $26.51/hr | Inspect |
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Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
Ponce, PR: Migration Corridors & State Tax Benchmarks
Puerto Rico Income Tax
Calculate exact 2026 take-home pay, federal withholdings, and Puerto Rico state marginal rates.
Launch Puerto Rico Calculator2026 Cost of Living in Ponce, PR: Empirical HUD Fair Market Rents, 30% housing affordability workbench, EPI living wage standards, & local labor purchasing. Official 2026 economic data for Ponce, PR compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
Cost of living in Ponce, PR reflects local housing benchmarks, regional goods and services prices, and state tax burdens. HUD Fair Market Rents and local EPI living wage standards provide empirical baselines for household budgets.
The living wage in Ponce, PR is the minimum hourly or annual income required for a single adult or family to cover food, housing, healthcare, and taxes without government assistance.