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: $2,375 in Aruba versus $138 in Sint Nicolaas.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,239 in Aruba versus $333 in Sint Nicolaas.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,104 in Aruba versus $528 in Sint Nicolaas.

Living in Aruba is roughly 1616% more expensive than in Sint Nicolaas, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

The two cities straddle the global median: Aruba is 72% above, Sint Nicolaas is 90% below.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.47 AWG 25.89

$16.66 AWG 29.81

-13.15%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.3 AWG 160

$45.06 AWG 80.7

98.11%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.52 AWG 18.82

Cappuccino

$5.13 AWG 9.19

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

$2.35 AWG 4.20

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 AWG 3.91

$1.14 AWG 2.03

91.23%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.16 AWG 9.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.01 AWG 12.55

Milk (1 liter)

$1.61 AWG 2.87

White Bread (500g)

$2.86 AWG 5.12

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.02 AWG 5.41

Eggs

$3.75 AWG 6.72

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.72 AWG 24.56

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.23 AWG 7.56

Banana (1kg)

$1.99 AWG 3.56

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 AWG 4.55

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.46 AWG 4.40

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

$234 AWG 418

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

$130 AWG 233

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$84.0 AWG 150

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

$305 AWG 545

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.6K AWG 31.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$65.1 AWG 117

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$119 AWG 212

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$660 AWG 1,182

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,372 AWG 2,456

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,200 AWG 5,728

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,004 AWG 7,167

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,932 AWG 3,458

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

Last update for Aruba: September 7, 2026

Last update for Sint Nicolaas: September 6, 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 1616% in total monthly costs ($2,375 vs $138 including rent). Sint Nicolaas is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $3,563 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 $2,375 per month in Aruba versus $138 in Sint Nicolaas – a 1616% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $138 in Sint Nicolaas versus $2,375 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 1616% less than in Aruba. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.