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: $2,873 in Aruba versus $139 in Sint Nicolaas.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,038 in Aruba versus $330 in Sint Nicolaas.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,204 in Aruba versus $520 in Sint Nicolaas.

Living in Aruba is roughly 1965% more expensive than in Sint Nicolaas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Aruba is 115% above, Sint Nicolaas is 90% below.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.13 AWG 23.50

$16.78 AWG 30.02

-21.75%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$91.6 AWG 164

$44.25 AWG 79.2

107.01%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.91 AWG 17.74

Cappuccino

$4.82 AWG 8.62

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

$2.26 AWG 4.04

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 AWG 3.55

$1.13 AWG 2.02

75.22%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.17 AWG 7.46

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.95 AWG 10.65

Milk (1 liter)

$2.31 AWG 4.13

White Bread (500g)

$3.74 AWG 6.70

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.90 AWG 6.98

Eggs

$5.62 AWG 10.06

Local Cheese (1kg)

$32.28 AWG 57.8

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.75 AWG 12.08

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.71 AWG 29.91

Apples (1kg)

$5.95 AWG 10.64

Banana (1kg)

$2.83 AWG 5.07

Oranges (1kg)

$7.05 AWG 12.61

Tomato (1kg)

$8.16 AWG 14.60

Potato (1kg)

$3.96 AWG 7.09

Onion (1kg)

$3.84 AWG 6.86

Lettuce (1 head)

$5.95 AWG 10.64

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.70 AWG 6.61

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$17.43 AWG 31.20

Wine (Bottle)

$18.21 AWG 32.59

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.97 AWG 8.89

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 AWG 2.57

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

$254 AWG 454

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

$130 AWG 233

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.5 AWG 119

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.2 AWG 109

Cinema Ticket

$12.96 AWG 23.19

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

$301 AWG 539

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.9K AWG 32.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.11 AWG 87.9

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$64.8 AWG 116

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$119 AWG 214

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$730 AWG 1,307

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,389 AWG 2,485

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,245 AWG 5,806

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,068 AWG 7,280

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,939 AWG 3,470

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Aruba: July 14, 2026

Last update for Sint Nicolaas: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $92.0 in Aruba vs $44.00 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 1965% in total monthly costs ($2,873 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 $4,309 in Aruba and $209 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 $44.00 versus $92.0 in Aruba. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $2,873 per month in Aruba versus $139 in Sint Nicolaas – a 1965% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $139 in Sint Nicolaas versus $2,873 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 1965% less than in Aruba. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.