Uruguay is expensive for the region and cheap for anyone earning in dollars or euros. Fuel, electronics and cars are what shock visitors most; rent outside Punta del Este and skilled labour surprise on the low side.
The number that matters is the exchange rate: local salaries are in pesos, but rent and property are usually quoted in dollars. Arriving with income in a strong currency gives you very different purchasing power from someone working in the local market.
Healthcare works through a mutualista: a monthly plan covering consultations, tests and hospital stays, with prices varying by age and institution. It is the fixed cost that weighs most after rent.