Puerto Rico’s energy rates exceed US average by over 90%, COLI shows
Puerto Rico’s residential electricity rates were 90.5% higher than the average across 282 U.S. urban areas during the first quarter of 2025, according to data from the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics.
The figures, part of the January–March Cost-of-Living Index (COLI), place the San Juan–Bayamón–Caguas metropolitan area fifth-highest in the U.S. for public utility costs, with an index score of 161.
“The fact that the residential energy rate in Puerto Rico is 90.5% higher than the average of the COLI participating urban areas, evidences a structural distortion in the energy system,” said Ronald G. Hernández-Maldonado, statistical project manager at the Institute. “This situation directly raises the daily cost of living for households and reduces their financial flexibility.”
The report also found that supermarket prices in the metro area were 10.7% higher than the U.S. average, ranking the region 13th most expensive among the 282 areas surveyed. Specific food items showed especially wide gaps: Egg prices were 33.5% higher, followed by frozen chicken (30.1%) and bananas (30.5%). Other notable increases included canned tuna (23.1%), pizza (19.9%) and orange juice (18.7%).
“The composite index reflects very high costs in public services and food, partially offset by relatively low prices in health care, transportation and other miscellaneous goods,” Hernández said.
The overall cost-of-living index for the San Juan–Bayamón–Caguas area stood at 102.4, placing it 74th out of the 282 urban areas included in the study. The metro area encompasses 40 municipalities, of which 15 met data collection criteria. It represents roughly two-thirds of Puerto Rico’s population.
The Cost-of-Living Index is compiled by the Council for Community and Economic Research and published quarterly. The Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics also provides an online calculator to compare living costs between Puerto Rico and other U.S. cities.
