Living in Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Arecibo · Census data 2020–2024
Arecibo has 40,831 residents with a median age of 45.6. The median household income is $22,968 (13% lower than the Puerto Rico median), the median home value is $114,000, the median rent is $505/month.
Arecibo at a glance
- Population
- 40,831
- Median age
- 45.6State: 44.8
- Median household income
- $22,968State: $26,297
- Median home value
- $114,000State: $131,500
- Median rent
- $505/moState: $578
- Homeowners
- 59.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30.4%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Arecibo a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 13% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 13% lower than the Puerto Rico median; unemployment of 15.2%; a poverty rate of 40.7%.
The weather is best in December to March.
Cost of living in Arecibo
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Arecibo the median home value is $114,000, 66% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $505 per month, which is 27.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $786 a month in housing costs.
Arecibo median household income
The median household income in Arecibo is $22,968 and the income per person is $15,906. 40.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Puerto Rico: 40.5%).
Housing in Arecibo: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 21,388
- Owner-occupied
- 59.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.5%
- Vacant
- 23.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.42
Arecibo demographics
- Population
- 40,831
- Median age
- 45.6
- Under 18
- 16.7%
- 65 and older
- 25.7%
- Households
- 16,438
- Foreign-born
- 1.2%
- Veterans
- 3.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Arecibo ›
Education in Arecibo
30.4% of adults 25 and older in Arecibo have a bachelor's degree or higher (Puerto Rico: 29.8%), and 8.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Arecibo
- Unemployment rate
- 15.2%State: 10.7%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 4.7%
- Drive alone
- 87.2%
- Public transit
- 0.3%
- Walk to work
- 1.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 77.8%
Arecibo vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arecibo | 40,831 | $22,968 | $114,000 | $505 |
| Corcovado | 995 | $19,987 | $70,500 | — |
| Rafael González | 2,652 | $17,045 | $132,400 | $672 |
| Carrizales | 2,887 | $34,692 | $216,300 | $678 |
| Bajadero | 3,814 | $22,361 | $99,100 | $695 |
| Rafael Capó | 1,369 | $20,254 | $113,000 | — |
| Hatillo | 4,074 | $21,766 | $127,500 | $473 |
| Animas | 1,314 | $20,693 | $85,000 | $583 |
| Del Carmen | 1,369 | $40,391 | $103,600 | $682 |
More for people moving to Arecibo
Arecibo ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Arecibo: FAQ
What is the median household income in Arecibo, PR?
The median household income in Arecibo is $22,968, 13% lower than the Puerto Rico median of $26,297 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Arecibo?
The median home value in Arecibo is $114,000, compared with $131,500 in Puerto Rico.
How much is rent in Arecibo?
The median gross rent in Arecibo is $505 per month, about 27.4% of household income.
Is Arecibo, PR a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 13% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes. Minuses: median household income 13% lower than the Puerto Rico median; unemployment of 15.2%; a poverty rate of 40.7%.
What is the median age in Arecibo?
The median age in Arecibo is 45.6 years (Puerto Rico: 44.8).
How long is the commute in Arecibo?
The average commute to work in Arecibo is 24 minutes; 4.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Arecibo?
The unemployment rate in Arecibo is 15.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Arecibo?
30.4% of adults in Arecibo have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: