Skyline of Melo
Cost of Living: 82 55,000

Melo, Uruguay

A northeastern city near the Brazilian border, known for its ceramic crafts and agricultural production.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Melo is a city in CE with a population of 55,000. A northeastern city near the Brazilian border, known for its ceramic crafts and agricultural production. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6b growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. Reported crime rates are relatively high.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 82

Below Average vs Uruguay Avg (100)

Housing Index 88

Affordable

Median Income $U300,000

Household income

Unemployment 10.0%

Job market health

Melo vs Uruguay Average

Cost of Living
Melo: 82
Uruguay Avg: 100
Housing Index
Melo: 88
Uruguay Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Melo: 25%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 25.0%
  • Sales Tax: 22.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $U300,000
  • Unemployment: 10.0%
  • Population: 55,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 200/year
  • Summer High: 80°F
  • Winter Low: 48°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6b

Housing

  • Median Home: $U2,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: $U15000/mo

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Cost of Living

Melo's cost of living index is 82 (Uruguay average = 100).

CategoryMeloNational AverageDifference
Overall82100-18.0%
Housing88100-12.0%

Data source: INE Uruguay / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$U2,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)$U15000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$U18,750/mo
Price per Sq Ft$U1,333

Data source: InfoCasas / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$U
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$U

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Melo:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$U1800
Heating & Cooling$U9Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$U600Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$U1200Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$U3609Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: URSEA, UTE, ANTEL 2025

Remote Work Score

Melo scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
82
Rent
$U15000
Sunny Days
200
Tax
25%
Unemployment
10.0%
Climate
80°F / 48°F
Safety
10.2 homicides/100k
Population
55,000
Internet Speed
80 Mbps

Climate

Melo has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January68°F48°F2.5"
April65°F63°F2.8"
July80°F55°F1.5"
October60°F66°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6b

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Melo faces the following natural hazards:

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Uruguay experiences tornadoes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 25%
  • Sales Tax: 22%
  • Property Tax: ~0.3% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 10.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Melo per 100,000 residents:

120.0
Violent Crime
500.0
Property Crime
10.2
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Academic Year March to December
Term System Semester — Fall (Mar-Jul), Spring (Aug-Dec)
Summer Break December to March (13 weeks)
Winter Break July (3 weeks)
Spring Break Carnival week in February/March (1 week)

Carnival is a major holiday with an extended break.

Demographics

The population of Melo is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Black
8.1%
Indigenous
2.4%
Other
1.8%
White
87.7%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.0%
High school graduate
25.0%
Less than high school
35.0%
Some college
15.0%

Religion

Christian (Catholic)
42.0%
Christian (Protestant/Evangelical)
11.0%
Other
7.0%
Unaffiliated
40.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: INE Census (2011)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Melo, Uruguay?

The cost of living index in Melo is 82, which is Lower the Uruguay national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Melo?

The median home price in Melo is $U2,000,000. The housing index is 88.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Melo is approximately $U15000/mo.

Does Melo, CE have income tax?

Melo is in CE, which has an income tax rate of 25%.

What is the climate like in Melo?

Melo enjoys approximately 200 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 80°F, while winter lows can drop to around 48°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: INE Uruguay / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: InfoCasas / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: INE Uruguay Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities URSEA, UTE, ANTEL 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.