Cost of Living Comparison Between Dominica and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Dominica and United States

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $364 per month in Dominica vs $2,622 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $625 per month in Dominica vs $3,830 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $886 per month in Dominica vs $5,038 in United States, rent included.

The cost of living in Dominica is roughly 86% lower than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Dominica sits 74% below the global median, while United States is 91% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dominica
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.38 EC$19.92
$19.78 $19.78
-62.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.3 EC$149
$81.4 $81.4
-31.99%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.29 EC$19.68
$12.11 $12.11
-39.80%
Cappuccino
$3.66 EC$9.88
$5.44 $5.44
-32.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43 EC$6.56
$2.67 $2.67
-8.99%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 EC$5.86
$2.08 $2.08
4.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.83 EC$4.95
$6.06 $6.06
-69.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.25 EC$8.77
$8.14 $8.14
-60.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dominica
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$3.15 EC$8.51
$1.05 $1.05
200.00%
White Bread (500g)
$2.16 EC$5.83
$3.65 $3.65
-40.82%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.52 EC$4.11
$4.45 $4.45
-65.84%
Eggs
$5.58 EC$15.07
$4.35 $4.35
28.28%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.50 EC$6.74
$12.73 $12.73
-80.36%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.59 EC$28.60
$12.46 $12.46
-15.01%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.20 EC$35.65
$16.95 $16.95
-22.12%
Apples (1kg)
$7.79 EC$21.02
$5.30 $5.30
46.98%
Banana (1kg)
$2.75 EC$7.42
$1.70 $1.70
61.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 EC$12.24
$4.40 $4.40
2.95%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.28 EC$14.25
$5.01 $5.01
5.39%
Potato (1kg)
$3.32 EC$8.98
$2.87 $2.87
15.68%
Onion (1kg)
$3.09 EC$8.35
$3.13 $3.13
-1.28%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.98 EC$5.33
$2.32 $2.32
-14.66%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.62 EC$7.07
$2.34 $2.34
11.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.37 EC$19.90
$10.55 $10.55
-30.14%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.93 EC$29.51
$14.94 $14.94
-26.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.38 EC$6.42
$2.12 $2.12
12.26%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 EC$7.85
$3.69 $3.69
-21.14%
🚌 Getting Around
Dominica
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.29 EC$3.47
$2.37 $2.37
-45.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.8 EC$145
$65.1 $65.1
-17.32%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.77 EC$10.18
$3.42 $3.42
10.23%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.81 EC$10.29
$1.89 $1.89
101.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.32 EC$27.86
$30.16 $30.16
-65.78%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.40 EC$3.78
$0.98 $0.98
42.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.2K EC$94.9K
$35.9K $35.9K
-2.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.2K EC$78.7K
$25.9K $25.9K
12.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dominica
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$139 EC$376
$218 $218
-35.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$46.38 EC$125
$61.0 $61.0
-23.98%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.2 EC$184
$74.8 $74.8
-8.81%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dominica
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.57 EC$123
$44.42 $44.42
2.59%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.34 EC$60.3
$22.53 $22.53
-0.84%
Cinema Ticket
$9.46 EC$25.55
$14.80 $14.80
-36.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dominica
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$128 EC$345
$1,476 $1,476
-91.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,413 EC$11.9K
$25.9K $25.9K
-82.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dominica
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8 EC$151
$54.4 $54.4
2.72%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.09 EC$81.2
$43.59 $43.59
-30.97%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$68.0 EC$184
$92.9 $92.9
-26.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.6 EC$218
$114 $114
-29.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dominica
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$284 EC$768
$1,639 $1,639
-82.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$226 EC$611
$1,358 $1,358
-83.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$806 EC$2,176
$2,699 $2,699
-70.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$646 EC$1,743
$2,199 $2,199
-70.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$103 EC$278
$3,269 $3,269
-96.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$37.33 EC$101
$2,589 $2,589
-98.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dominica
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$579 EC$1,562
$4,357 $4,357
-86.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.6
6.21
22.38%

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

Last update for Dominica: August 31, 2026

Last update for United States: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $89.0 in Dominica vs $1,606 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $280 in Roseau and $1,373 in Columbia, TN.

Average salary: $555 in Dominica vs $4,519 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 1704% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 317% more in United States.

Public transport is 200% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 714% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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
Dominica vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dominica more expensive than United States?
Dominica is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 395% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Dominica, contributing to the overall 395% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Dominica or in United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Dominica, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Dominica or to United States?
Dominica is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

Dominica vs other spots: cost of living compared

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