Cost of Living Comparison Between Aruba and Sint Nicolaas Cost of Living Comparison Between Aruba and Sint Nicolaas

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,799 in Aruba versus $139 in Sint Nicolaas.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,039 in Aruba versus $333 in Sint Nicolaas.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,279 in Aruba versus $527 in Sint Nicolaas.

Living in Aruba is roughly 1915% more expensive than Sint Nicolaas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Aruba is 109% above, Sint Nicolaas is 90% below.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.18 AWG 23.59

$16.74 AWG 29.96

-21.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.2 AWG 160

$45.07 AWG 80.7

97.80%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.04 AWG 17.96

Cappuccino

$4.90 AWG 8.77

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.31 AWG 4.12

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.09 AWG 3.73

$1.08 AWG 1.94

93.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.19 AWG 7.50

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.26 AWG 11.20

Milk (1 liter)

$2.39 AWG 4.27

White Bread (500g)

$3.72 AWG 6.66

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.92 AWG 7.02

Eggs

$5.61 AWG 10.04

Local Cheese (1kg)

$32.39 AWG 58.0

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.51 AWG 11.66

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.71 AWG 29.90

Apples (1kg)

$5.92 AWG 10.59

Banana (1kg)

$2.92 AWG 5.23

Oranges (1kg)

$6.95 AWG 12.43

Tomato (1kg)

$8.23 AWG 14.73

Potato (1kg)

$4.08 AWG 7.31

Onion (1kg)

$3.76 AWG 6.73

Lettuce (1 head)

$6.09 AWG 10.90

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.85 AWG 6.89

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$17.75 AWG 31.76

Wine (Bottle)

$18.08 AWG 32.35

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.07 AWG 9.07

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 AWG 2.53

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$257 AWG 460

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$131 AWG 234

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.5 AWG 119

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$60.3 AWG 108

Cinema Ticket

$12.87 AWG 23.03

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$304 AWG 544

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.7K AWG 31.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.48 AWG 88.5

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$65.5 AWG 117

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$122 AWG 219

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$733 AWG 1,312

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,390 AWG 2,487

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,140 AWG 5,620

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,018 AWG 7,190

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,895 AWG 3,391

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Aruba: June 2, 2026

Last update for Sint Nicolaas: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $89.0 in Aruba vs $45.00 in Sint Nicolaas for two.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Aruba vs Sint Nicolaas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Aruba and Sint Nicolaas differ by about 1915% in total monthly costs ($2,799 vs $139 including rent). Sint Nicolaas is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $4,198 in Aruba and $208 in Sint Nicolaas to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Dining out is cheaper in Sint Nicolaas – a meal for two runs $45.00 versus $89.0 in Aruba. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $2,799 per month in Aruba versus $139 in Sint Nicolaas – a 1915% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $139 in Sint Nicolaas versus $2,799 in Aruba, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Sint Nicolaas but tight or insufficient in Aruba. The gap between the two cities makes Sint Nicolaas the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Aruba and Sint Nicolaas are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Sint Nicolaas gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1915% less than in Aruba. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.