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In general, the cost of living in Puerto Rico is between 9% to 21% lower than in the United States, but it's not cheap. The total monthly cost of living in Puerto Rico typically ranges from $1,800 to $2,400 for essentials. A large portion of salary will go to expenses on housing, utilities and groceries. Nevertheless, it's an affordable location for any budget.
Housing prices are more expensive in the city in comparison to the lower costs of the surrounding suburbs. Smaller cities outside of the San Juan Metroplex are cheaper than living within the capital, but if you have the financial ability to purchase a home, this is the best option.
The cost of rental housing is comparable to mainland United States. Apartments are common and may be more expensive than single family homes depending on where you choose to live. Most often, a home purchased on a 30-year mortgage will have a monthly mortgage payment that is significantly lower than an apartment's monthly rent.
Utility costs can average between $100 to $300.
Although most things in Puerto Rico are cheaper than in the U.S., sales taxes are higher at 11.5%. The sales tax on prepared food is 7%.
Privately Owned Vehicles
Privately Owned Vehicles shipped to Puerto Rico must comply with U.S. specifications. All active-duty military and civilians on transportation orders are authorized tax exemption on one POV. Additional vehicles are subject to local government import taxes which must be paid prior to release to the owner.
Pet Information
A law passed in Puerto Rico in 2018 now allows the possession of pit bulls, American Staffordshire Terriers/Bulls and all crosses. There are no licensing requirements for domestic pets living on-post at Fort Buchanan; however, all domestic pets are required to have a permanently implanted Home Again Microchip. For exotic pets (snakes, spiders or other unusual animals), an import license and a Fort Buchanan license is required. Vaccinations must be up-to-date (within six months of arrival). Please note that there is no veterinary service on-post.
Important Documents
It is essential to hand carry the following documents: birth, marriage or divorce certificates; medical, dental/shot records; education transcripts and school records; travel orders; POV and household goods shipping documents; previous year tax return; wills, real estate deeds and titles; checking/savings account documents; checkbooks; spouse employment records and resumes; etc.
Driver's License
If in possession of a valid license from a state that has reciprocity relations with Puerto Rico, non-resident military personnel, their spouses and children are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Puerto Rico driver's license. If one has a stateside vehicle license, is a resident of Puerto Rico or has an expired license, then a Puerto Rico license must be obtained within 120 days of arrival. Licenses from other countries are not recognized in Puerto Rico. DOW civilians are not exempt and must obtain a Puerto Rico driver's license within 120 days of arrival. For more information contact: 787-707-3337/4911
Forward Mail
Until you establish an official mailing address and/or P.O. Box, personnel moving to Fort Buchanan can utilize the Fort Buchanan Mail & Distribution Center as their temporary forwarding address for up to six months. Personnel on TDY orders or assigned to Fort Buchanan for training may also use the Mail & Distribution Center during their stay. The address to use is Bldg. 611 South Terminal Rd, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico 00934. For more information, call 787-707-4500 or DSN: 740-4500.
Defense Service Network Dialing Instructions
DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of War. Every installation has a special DSN number, and the numbers vary by world-wide location. To place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a telephone on a military installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a U.S. installation to another U.S. installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN (312) area code must be included.
Borinqueneers Gate
This main gate on PR 28 is open 24/7. Service members who arrive at the Luis Muniz Marin (LMM) International Airport in Carolina, will need to take a taxi or Uber through this gate to access Fort Buchanan. All valid installation access credentials, including retirees and their dependents, members with a Veteran Health Identification Card, as well as Morale Welfare and Recreation cardholders are permitted on base. Disabled veterans may bring one authorized person to assist them to shop at either the Commissary or the Exchange. Appropriate documentation and clearance will be vetted at the Visitor Control Center.
SPC Frances M. Vega Gate
Effective March 9, 2026, the operating hours are temporarily modified for inbound/outbound traffic as follows:
Visitors
Visitors may go to the Visitor Control Center at the Borinqueneers Gate to receive a background record check and access to the installation. Currently, the VCC hours of operation are:
If you have any questions concerning access to Fort Buchanan, please contact the VCC at 787-707-3995. Access to the VCC is limited to number of patrons inside the facility.
Mission: USAG Fort Buchanan delivers base support and services to enable holistic readiness for the total force.
Vision: To be the premier installation for support and services.
Values: In addition to adopting the Army values as our own, we strive for trust, transparency, and collaboration in all that we do.
Puerto Rico was part of the Spanish Empire for 405 years, from the time Christopher Columbus discovered it during his second voyage on November 19, 1493, until the Spanish-American War, when United States Forces landed in the town of Guánica on July 25, 1898. Upon the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898, Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the U. S. and the island became an unincorporated U. S. territory.
On July 1, 1899, "The Puerto Rico Regiment of Infantry," U. S. Army was created. Fort Buchanan, the only active Army installation on Puerto Rico and in the Greater Antilles, was named after BG James A. Buchanan, the first commander of the Puerto Rico Regiment/1st U.S. Volunteers that was formed by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War. After defending the Canal Zone during WWI, the regiment was officially designated the 65th Infantry Regiment in 1920. A tract of 300 acres on the south shore of San Juan Bay was obtained in 1923 and designated as Camp Buchanan. It served as a target range and maneuver area for the U.S. Army and National Guard troops from 1923 to 1939. In 1940, Camp Buchanan was renamed Fort Buchanan and, during WWII, became a general depot and induction center/training area for the Antilles command, while initially expanding to 1500 acres and later to 4,500 acres. The industrial complex included pier facilities, ammunition storage areas, and an extensive railroad network connecting the military installation to the bay.
Fort Buchanan has passed under the control of the U.S. Navy, the Third U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Forces Command, and the U.S. Southern Command; and on August 13, 1999, became the home of U.S. Army South, which subsequently departed in 2003. In 2002, Fort Buchanan became part of the Southeast Regional Office of the Installation Management Agency; and in 2003, it became an IMA Reserve installation. In 2006, it became a Garrison under U. S. Army Installation Management Command, Southeast Region.
On October 1, 2008, the Commanding General of the 81st Regional Readiness Command became Fort Buchanan's Senior Mission Commander under the U.S. Army Reserve Command. Currently, Fort Buchanan falls under the U.S. Northern Command area of operations, under the direct control of the Installation Management Command, Atlantic Region.
U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan consists of 746.16 acres between the municipalities of San Juan, Guaynabo, and Bayamón. Fort Buchanan serves a population of approximately 130,000 people including military personnel, their dependents, retirees, veterans, and the civilian workforce. Fort Buchanan is host to several tenant activities, most of them branches from the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve, such as Headquarters for the 1st Mission Support Command of the U.S. Army Reserve, the Puerto Rico Army and the Air Force National Guards, the U.S. Navy Reserve - Navy Operations Support Center Puerto Rico and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
For more information, visit the Fort Buchanan homepage or by phone at 787-707-3865/3440 or DSN 740-3865.
As the only active Army installation in the western hemisphere, Fort Buchanan serves and supports a population of approximately 130,000 people including military personnel, their dependents, retirees, veterans and the civilian workforce. Fort Buchanan is host to several tenant activities, most of them branches from the United States Armed Forces Reserve such as headquarters for the 1st Mission Support Command of the U.S. Army Reserve, the Puerto Rico Army and Air Force National Guards, the U.S. Navy Reserve/Navy Operations Support Center and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. It also supports federal agencies on the island.
As the only federal military installation in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Fort Buchanan is a critical part of the community and an important asset of the War Department mission. Fort Buchanan serves and supports a military community comprised of active duty, Army and Air Force National Guard service members, as well as the Marine Corps Reserve and the Navy Operational Support Center. It also serves a population of DOW civilians, veterans, retirees and family members. The installation also supports over 30 federal agencies located in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Puerto Rico boasts fabulous ocean views, tropical weather and lush green mountains. The island is approximately 100 miles long by 35 miles wide or 3,515 square miles, about the size of Connecticut. Its population of 3.2 million United States citizens is comparable to that of Utah or Iowa. For a variety of reasons, Puerto Rico is considered a high cost of living area.
The city of San Juan, PR ranked ninth in U.S. News & World Report's Most Expensive Places to Live in the U.S. 2023 to 2024.
Fort Buchanan is enclaved in the San Juan Metropolitan Area, bordering the cities of San Juan, Guaynabo and Bayamon.
The Fort Buchanan Visitor Control Center phone number is 787-707-3995/3241 or DSN 740-3995.
Location
Puerto Rico is located 1,018 miles southeast of Miami; by plane – approximately 2.5 hours from Miami, 4 hours from Boston, and 3 hours from New York.
Note: Both Spanish and English are the official languages of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The following translations of Spanish traffic signs will help you get around:
Airport arrival
When you arrive to Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, you can call an Uber or use the taxi service located right outside the arrival section of the terminal. The cost of the trip is reimbursable (if on orders). Obtain a receipt from the taxi driver if the fare is more than $25.00. If you need help at the airport, contact the Military Personnel Office at Fort Buchanan at 787-707-3897 during duty hours or the DOW Police Desk Sergeant, 787-707-4911, after duty hours.
Traveling with pets
Pets may be picked up at the traveling airline cargo area.
How to get to Fort Buchanan from the airport
As you exit the airport, stay in your far-right lane and take the exit to Highway 26 (the sign reads "Isla Verde/San Juan"), also known as Baldorioty De Castro Highway. Follow signs towards San Juan. After about 1.5 miles, stay in your far-right lane and follow signs towards Bayamon/Caguas. Once you take that (Bayamon/Caguas) exit you will enter a tunnel (Minillas Tunnel), stay on that Highway for 1/2 mile until you see the sign towards Bayamon (Highway 22), take the road to your right. You will be heading west for about 1 mile. Stay on the right lane; you will see a sign for Fort Buchanan exit – it will say Fort Buchanan 28 and Cataño 165. Note: Before that exit, on your left-hand side there is another sign to Fort Buchanan, DO NOT take that exit.
You will take the exit for Road 165 (sign will be on your right). Once on Road 165, you need to switch to the far-left lane before you reach the first traffic light. At that intersection, you will make a left turn into Road 28 (you will see the federal prison on your left at the traffic light). After taking the left turn, you will pass in front of the federal prison, after that you will pass under the highway bridge and see on your left some of the Fort Buchanan buildings. At the first traffic light, you need to make a left turn to the Fort Buchanan's Borinqueneers' Gate entrance. An ID card is required at the check point.
There is no on-post transportation in Fort Buchanan, but all facilities are located within walking distance.