😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $698 in Bonao versus $656 in Santa Cruz del Seibo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,149 in Bonao versus $1,049 in Santa Cruz del Seibo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,601 in Bonao versus $1,442 in Santa Cruz del Seibo.
🌍Living in Bonao is roughly 6% more expensive than in Santa Cruz del Seibo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bonao49% lower, Santa Cruz del Seibo52% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bonao
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.06DOP 591
$8.27DOP 486
21.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.5DOP 2,965
$42.76DOP 2,513
17.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.99DOP 470
$5.10DOP 299
56.67%
Cappuccino
$2.02DOP 119
$1.82DOP 107
10.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08DOP 63.6
$0.73DOP 43.14
47.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69DOP 40.44
$0.38DOP 22.52
81.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.60DOP 153
$2.50DOP 147
4.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58DOP 210
$4.00DOP 235
-10.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bonao
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05DOP 61.7
$1.24DOP 73.1
-15.32%
White Bread(500g)
$1.04DOP 61.0
$1.78DOP 105
-41.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.69DOP 40.47
$1.54DOP 90.5
-55.19%
Eggs
$1.19DOP 70.1
$1.52DOP 89.5
-21.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.19DOP 305
$6.40DOP 376
-18.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.53DOP 325
$3.60DOP 212
53.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.62DOP 389
$4.71DOP 277
40.55%
Apples(1kg)
$2.30DOP 135
$3.72DOP 219
-38.17%
Banana(1kg)
$0.67DOP 39.30
$1.47DOP 86.2
-54.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.75DOP 161
$3.34DOP 197
-17.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.40DOP 82.2
$2.21DOP 130
-36.65%
Potato(1kg)
$2.08DOP 122
$3.71DOP 218
-43.94%
Onion(1kg)
$1.59DOP 93.6
$2.92DOP 171
-45.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03DOP 60.3
$0.91DOP 53.6
13.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50DOP 29.18
$1.62DOP 95.4
-69.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.41DOP 318
$4.97DOP 292
8.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.43DOP 437
$17.05DOP 1,002
-56.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.15DOP 126
$3.06DOP 180
-29.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00DOP 176
$3.40DOP 200
-11.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Bonao
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.55DOP 32.26
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.22DOP 2,011
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.22DOP 189
$2.48DOP 146
29.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.22DOP 131
$3.38DOP 198
-34.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.40DOP 141
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.37DOP 80.5
$1.42DOP 83.4
-3.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.7KDOP 1.4M
$15.1KDOP 888.9K
57.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.3KDOP 2.0M
$25.4KDOP 1.5M
35.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bonao
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$95.4DOP 5,603
$98.1DOP 5,765
-2.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.04DOP 1,883
$27.13DOP 1,594
18.10%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.04DOP 2,177
$39.79DOP 2,338
-6.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bonao
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Cinema Ticket
$7.69DOP 452
$5.19DOP 305
48.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bonao
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$262DOP 15.4K
$154DOP 9,067
69.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,398DOP 434.7K
$5,493DOP 322.8K
34.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bonao
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.98DOP 2,702
$27.50DOP 1,616
67.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.44DOP 2,788
$46.34DOP 2,723
2.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.6DOP 5,207
$62.5DOP 3,675
41.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129DOP 7,563
$67.5DOP 3,968
90.60%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bonao
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.56
11
23.27%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bonao: September 14, 2026
Last update for Santa Cruz del Seibo: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $50.0 in Bonao vs $43.00 in Santa Cruz del Seibo. Groceries flip the comparison at $176 vs $242, with Bonao cheaper for home cooking.
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
Bonao vs Santa Cruz del Seibo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bonao and in Santa Cruz del Seibo?
Bonao and Santa Cruz del Seibo differ by about 6% in total monthly costs ($698 vs $656 including rent). Santa Cruz del Seibo is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Bonao compared to Santa Cruz del Seibo?
You'd need roughly $1,046 in Bonao and $984 in Santa Cruz del Seibo 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.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Bonao and Santa Cruz del Seibo?
Childcare runs $262 in Bonao versus $154 in Santa Cruz del Seibo. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Santa Cruz del Seibo – a meal for two runs $43.00 versus $50.0 in Bonao. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How far does $1,000 go in Bonao compared to Santa Cruz del Seibo?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Santa Cruz del Seibo gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Bonao and Santa Cruz del Seibo?
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.
Where should expats move: Bonao or Santa Cruz del Seibo?
Expats usually find Santa Cruz del Seibo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 6% less than in Bonao. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.