Cost of Living in Aruba - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $1,071 including rent across Aruba.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,784 including rent across Aruba.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,497 including rent across Aruba.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.11 AWG 28.84
$10.19 AWG 18.23
$19.35 AWG 34.63
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$89.7 AWG 161
$44.86 AWG 80.3
$110 AWG 196
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.03 AWG 17.95
$10.03 AWG 17.95
$12.04 AWG 21.54
Cappuccino
$4.34 AWG 7.77
$3.05 AWG 5.46
$5.97 AWG 10.68
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 AWG 3.23
$1.17 AWG 2.09
$2.29 AWG 4.10
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78 AWG 3.19
$1.14 AWG 2.03
$2.27 AWG 4.06
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.41 AWG 6.10
$2.92 AWG 5.23
$6.82 AWG 12.20
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.22 AWG 9.35
$4.54 AWG 8.12
$8.57 AWG 15.34
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.85 AWG 3.30
$1.36 AWG 2.43
$2.16 AWG 3.87
White Bread (500g)
$2.94 AWG 5.26
$2.67 AWG 4.78
$4.71 AWG 8.44
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.84 AWG 6.87
$2.78 AWG 4.97
$4.83 AWG 8.64
Eggs
$4.88 AWG 8.73
$3.71 AWG 6.64
$7.18 AWG 12.86
Local Cheese (1kg)
$22.20 AWG 39.72
$8.02 AWG 14.35
$49.88 AWG 89.3
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.43 AWG 13.30
$4.20 AWG 7.52
$15.10 AWG 27.03
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.42 AWG 24.02
$6.70 AWG 11.98
$19.53 AWG 34.94
Apples (1kg)
$4.96 AWG 8.88
$3.77 AWG 6.74
$5.82 AWG 10.42
Banana (1kg)
$3.25 AWG 5.81
$2.05 AWG 3.67
$4.55 AWG 8.14
Oranges (1kg)
$6.92 AWG 12.38
$3.89 AWG 6.97
$8.10 AWG 14.49
Tomato (1kg)
$6.59 AWG 11.80
$2.00 AWG 3.59
$8.02 AWG 14.34
Potato (1kg)
$3.87 AWG 6.93
$1.64 AWG 2.93
$6.63 AWG 11.87
Onion (1kg)
$2.49 AWG 4.45
$1.88 AWG 3.37
$3.64 AWG 6.52
Lettuce (1 head)
$4.06 AWG 7.27
$2.24 AWG 4.02
$6.07 AWG 10.86
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.91 AWG 5.20
$0.98 AWG 1.76
$4.36 AWG 7.80
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.39 AWG 18.59
$10.13 AWG 18.12
$17.72 AWG 31.71
Wine (Bottle)
$10.17 AWG 18.19
$10.16 AWG 18.18
$19.74 AWG 35.33
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.52 AWG 6.29
$2.53 AWG 4.52
$5.05 AWG 9.04
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61 AWG 8.24
$2.73 AWG 4.88
$5.90 AWG 10.57
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.94 AWG 5.27
$1.90 AWG 3.41
$2.94 AWG 5.27
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$91.7 AWG 164
$29.70 AWG 53.1
$154 AWG 275
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$19.71 AWG 35.27
$14.08 AWG 25.19
$20.30 AWG 36.33
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$5.05 AWG 9.04
$2.80 AWG 5.01
$6.06 AWG 10.85
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.13 AWG 44.97
$19.52 AWG 34.93
$50.3 AWG 89.9
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 AWG 2.63
$1.35 AWG 2.41
$1.53 AWG 2.74
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.8K AWG 46.2K
$22.0K AWG 39.3K
$29.7K AWG 53.1K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.3K AWG 63.2K
$35.0K AWG 62.7K
$35.6K AWG 63.6K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$226 AWG 405
$152 AWG 273
$359 AWG 643
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$88.3 AWG 158
$30.47 AWG 54.5
$152 AWG 273
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$95.7 AWG 171
$70.3 AWG 126
$112 AWG 200
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$75.3 AWG 135
$49.72 AWG 89.0
$99.4 AWG 178
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$39.23 AWG 70.2
$28.11 AWG 50.3
$47.79 AWG 85.5
Cinema Ticket
$9.87 AWG 17.66
$8.21 AWG 14.69
$14.80 AWG 26.48
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$231 AWG 413
$139 AWG 249
$301 AWG 539
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.5K AWG 20.5K
$7,087 AWG 12.7K
$17.5K AWG 31.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.7 AWG 114
$50.9 AWG 91.2
$79.1 AWG 142
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$76.3 AWG 136
$19.80 AWG 35.44
$110 AWG 197
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$127 AWG 227
$80.3 AWG 144
$167 AWG 299
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 AWG 218
$79.5 AWG 142
$138 AWG 247
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$800 AWG 1,432
$597 AWG 1,068
$995 AWG 1,781
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$587 AWG 1,051
$552 AWG 987
$1,405 AWG 2,514
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 AWG 2,834
$1,211 AWG 2,167
$2,018 AWG 3,612
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,423 AWG 2,546
$935 AWG 1,673
$1,968 AWG 3,522
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,257 AWG 4,040
$2,008 AWG 3,593
$2,507 AWG 4,486
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,725 AWG 3,087
$1,657 AWG 2,966
$1,792 AWG 3,208
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,438 AWG 4,362
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.5
5.75
7

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: July 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National average salary: $2,424. With average costs at $1,071, the salary-to-cost ratio is favorable for most workers.

Expect to spend about $168 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $35.00 for two.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,071) is 20% below the global median of $1,336.

Average rent ($539) is 15% below the global median of $632.

Dining out ($35.00) is 27% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($23.00) is 30% below the global median of $33.00.

By City in Aruba
Rank
City
Population
Living Index
Solo costs
(no rent) / month
Solo costs
(with rent) / month
Family of 3 costs
(no rent) / month
Family of 3 costs
(with rent) / month
Mobile download speed
(Mbps)
Internet download speed
(Mbps)
1
-
141 $1,328 $2,808 $3,280 $7,279
45.04
188.61
2
-
$554 $824
285.3
188.61
3
-
$462 $1,238 $1,257 $3,020
305.1
188.61
4
35000
98 $1,230 $1,994 $2,671 $4,387
36.12
179.13
5
-
225.03
188.61
6
-
$1,068 $1,840 $2,565 $3,934
97.77
188.61
7
18000
$154 $137 $463 $532
111.42
200.44
8
-
226.35
179.13
Aruba Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cost of Living in Aruba - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Aruba compare in overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find it good value?
In broad terms, Aruba offers solid value for travelers and long-term visitors who prioritize reliability, safety, and consistent weather over rock-bottom prices. You'll notice higher groceries, dining, and service costs than on many nearby Caribbean destinations, while housing ranges from pricier beachfront options to affordable inland rentals. Longer stays can unlock better terms, and seasonality affects availability. For expats and digital nomads who need dependable internet, coworking spaces, and smooth logistics, the balance often justifies the premium. Cost of Living in Aruba captures that mix of high quality amenities with practical daily life. Tip: plan ahead with a simple daily budget.
What does a typical day look like in Aruba in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Aruba living cost shows up in everyday choices: you'll likely combine local markets and imported goods, balance dining out with home cooking, and budget for occasional splurges on beaches and water activities. Housing searches cluster around Oranjestad for ease or Noord for beach access, with longer leases usually unlocking better monthly terms. Transportation is built around a car for flexibility, though buses and taxis cover shorter hops. Groceries include fresh seafood and tropical produce, while dining ranges from casual kiosks to higher-end venues. Tip: map errands by geography to save time and fuel.
How can you tailor your lifestyle budgeting and neighborhood choice in Aruba to maximize quality of life while staying flexible?
Quality of life in Aruba comes from balancing practical needs with your preferred pace and neighborhood vibe. Start with a simple budgeting framework: essentials first, then flexible categories for dining, activities, and travel. Long-term rentals in inland or residential areas typically offer better value than tourist zones, while beachfront options save transit time. Seasonality shifts the crowd and prices, so consider midweek stays or shoulder months for better availability. Choose a neighborhood that matches your rhythm: Otrobanda for culture, Noord for beach access, or San Nicolas for a quieter, artsy scene. Tip: build a monthly plan that tracks housing, groceries, and transport to stay on target.
How does Aruba rank in cost of living?
By international standards, Aruba is moderately priced. Smaller cities offer better deals, while capitals run higher. Most visitors and residents find costs manageable without extreme budgeting.
Where is it cheaper to live in Aruba?
Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in Aruba drop fast. Wayaca is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.
Is $1,500 enough for living in Aruba?
$1,500 supports a modest but comfortable life in the smaller cities of Aruba, but feels tight in Oranjestad. Rent is the deciding factor – keep housing costs low and the rest of the budget opens up.

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