Is Gurabo Safe, Pros and cons of living in Gurabo
Gurabo, a municipality in the eastern region of Puerto Rico, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and natural beauty. Nestled north of San Lorenzo and south of Trujillo Alto, it provides a setting that balances accessibility with a more relaxed pace of life. Its strategic location also allows for relatively easy access to the San Juan metropolitan area and other key municipalities.
The town’s history dates back to the 17th century, originally as a part of Caguas known as Burabo. Overcoming early challenges, its citizens eventually sought autonomy, leading to its formal separation and establishment. Today, Gurabo is spread across nine barrios, with Gurabo Pueblo serving as its administrative heart.
Is it Safe to Live in Gurabo?
Gurabo presents a mixed safety profile, with crime rates that warrant attention. The violent crime rate in Gurabo is 5.448 per 1,000 residents annually (according to CrimeGrade.org). This rate is higher than the average US city, and Gurabo ranks in the 16th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than only 16% of U.S. cities (according to CrimeGrade.org). However, residents often consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest area.
Property crime is noted as the most common type of crime in Gurabo (according to Kurby AI). The cost of crime per resident is approximately $541 annually, which is higher than the national average (according to CrimeGrade.org). While some sources suggest a perception of low crime for visitors, official data indicates a higher-than-average crime rate compared to U.S. cities and counties.
Demographics and Population
Gurabo’s population was recorded at 40,622 in 2020 (according to Wikipedia). The municipality is predominantly Hispanic, with 98.6% of its residents identifying as such (according to Data USA). The largest ethnic groups within the Hispanic population are “Two Races Including Other (Hispanic),” “Other (Hispanic),” and “White (Hispanic)” (according to Data USA).
The median age in Gurabo Municipio is 42.3 years (according to Census Reporter). This is slightly lower than the median age in Puerto Rico overall (44.8 years) and about 10% higher than the median age in the United States (38.9 years) (according to Census Reporter). The population is diverse, with a significant percentage of residents identifying with various Hispanic ethnic backgrounds.
Cost of Living
Gurabo offers a cost of living that is generally considered moderate, sitting comfortably in the middle of the price spectrum (according to CityCost). A single person can expect to spend around $1,669 per month, including rent, for a comfortable lifestyle (according to CityCost). For everyday expenses alone, excluding rent, a single person might spend about $711 monthly (according to CityCost).
Housing costs are a notable advantage, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging around $346 per month (according to CityCost). This housing expense represents roughly 17% of the average net salary of $1,980 per month (according to CityCost). This affordability allows residents to manage their budgets effectively, though saving potential may be limited.
Housing Costs
The median home value in Gurabo is approximately $107,800 (according to Niche). The median rent price is around $671 per month, and most residents own their homes (according to Niche). This indicates a stable housing market with more homeowners than renters.
A one-bedroom apartment’s rent can range from $352 to $346 per month, whether in central or outer areas (according to CityCost). This affordability is a significant factor for those considering a move to Gurabo, making it accessible on modest incomes.
Job Market and Economy
The economy of Gurabo Municipio employs approximately 17,400 people (according to Data USA). Key industries include Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Manufacturing, which together employ a significant portion of the workforce (according to Data USA).
In terms of compensation, the highest-paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, Transportation & Warehousing, and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (according to Data USA). The average salary in Gurabo, after taxes, is around $1,980 per month (according to CityCost).
Major Employers
While specific major employers for Gurabo are not detailed in the provided search results, broader industry trends indicate significant employment in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing sectors (according to Data USA). Companies involved in administrative and support services, such as AMO Puerto Rico Manufacturing and Manpowergroup Inc., are also listed among significant employers in the broader region (according to Leading Employers).
The pharmaceutical, medical devices, and chemical industries appear to be active, with companies like QRC Group, LLC offering services in validation and regulatory fields (according to Careerjet). Additionally, Terumo Medical Corporation has a presence in the nearby Caguas area, suggesting a regional industrial base.
Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate in Gurabo Municipio was reported as 3.3% in 2026 (according to Data Commons). This rate is relatively low and suggests a stable job market within the municipality.
This figure places Gurabo among other municipalities in Puerto Rico with comparable unemployment rates, indicating a generally consistent economic situation across the island’s various regions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks this data for Gurabo Municipio (according to FRED).
Climate and Weather
Gurabo experiences a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen classification: Am) (according to Weather Atlas). The average annual temperature is around 26.63°C (79.93°F), which is slightly lower than Puerto Rico’s average (according to Weather Atlas).
The area receives substantial rainfall, with an average of about 128.3 millimeters (5.05 inches) annually. Gurabo experiences around 229.17 rainy days per year, representing about 62.79% of the time (according to Weather Atlas).
Average Temperatures
Throughout the year, temperatures in Gurabo typically range between 24°C (75°F) and 27°C (81°F) (according to Weather Atlas). While these are the usual ranges, temperatures can occasionally drop to 19°C (66°F) or rise as high as 32°C (90°F) (according to Weather Atlas).
The warmest months are July, August, and September, with daily mean temperatures hovering around 27°C (81°F) (according to Weather Atlas). Conversely, the coldest temperatures are usually observed in January, February, and March, with daily mean temperatures around 24°C (75°F) (according to Weather Atlas).
Rainfall Patterns
Rainfall is consistent throughout the year in Gurabo, with a wetter season extending from late April to early December (according to Weather Atlas). The month of September typically sees the most rain, averaging around 171 mm (6.7 inches) (according to Weather Atlas).
Conversely, the drier season occurs from December to April, with February being one of the driest months. February usually receives an average of about 56 mm (2.2 inches) of precipitation (according to Weather Atlas). The chance of a wet day is over 31% during the wetter season.
Education and School Ratings
The public school system in Gurabo, PR, has an average rating of 3 out of 10 (according to GreatSchools.org). This places the district in the bottom 50% of public schools in Puerto Rico.
Math proficiency scores in Gurabo public schools average 24%, which is equal to the Puerto Rico average. However, reading proficiency scores are lower, averaging 22% compared to the statewide average of 35% (according to Niche).
School Performance
The top-ranked public schools in Gurabo include Villa Marina, Margarita Rivera De Janer, and Josefina Sitiriche (according to Niche). These schools serve a total of 1,878 students across six public schools in the area (according to Niche).
Minority enrollment in Gurabo’s public schools is 100%, which is consistent with the Puerto Rico public school average. The student body is predominantly Hispanic (according to Niche).
Demographics and Diversity
Gurabo’s population is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with 98.6% of residents identifying as such (according to Data USA). Within the Hispanic population, the most common categories are “Two Races Including Other (Hispanic),” “Other (Hispanic),” and “White (Hispanic)” (according to Data USA).
The municipality has a median age of 42.3 years (according to Census Reporter). This age demographic is slightly younger than the Puerto Rico average but older than the U.S. national average, suggesting a population with a significant number of middle-aged and older adults.
Racial Composition
The racial composition of Gurabo Municipio shows a strong Hispanic majority (98.1% according to World Population Review). Other racial groups are present in smaller percentages, including White (23.21%), Black or African American (6.8%), and smaller numbers of Native American, Asian, and multiracial populations (according to World Population Review).
The data indicates a high degree of ethnic homogeneity, with Hispanic heritage being the dominant characteristic of the population. This is consistent across various demographic reports for the area.