😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $662 in Higuey versus $160 in Santa Cruz del Seibo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,052 in Higuey versus $236 in Santa Cruz del Seibo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,443 in Higuey versus $313 in Santa Cruz del Seibo.
🌍Living in Higuey is roughly 314% more expensive than in Santa Cruz del Seibo, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Higuey50% lower, Santa Cruz del Seibo88% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.77DOP 277
$9.95DOP 578
-52.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.42DOP 1,651
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.12DOP 298
$5.15DOP 299
-0.58%
Cappuccino
$2.21DOP 128
$2.02DOP 117
9.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46DOP 26.61
$0.99DOP 57.5
-53.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40DOP 23.44
$0.49DOP 28.21
-18.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.92DOP 111
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01DOP 175
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.04DOP 60.7
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.00DOP 58.4
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.87DOP 50.5
-
-
Eggs
$1.51DOP 87.7
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.62DOP 152
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.44DOP 200
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.97DOP 289
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.19DOP 185
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$0.87DOP 50.7
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.99DOP 173
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.01DOP 117
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$0.91DOP 52.8
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$2.28DOP 133
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.10DOP 63.7
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84DOP 48.74
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.19DOP 244
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$10.84DOP 630
$17.22DOP 1,001
-37.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.72DOP 99.9
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48DOP 144
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.05DOP 60.8
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.50DOP 203
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.12DOP 123
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.03DOP 350
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31DOP 76.3
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2KDOP 1.5M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.6KDOP 1.8M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$50.8DOP 2,952
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.82DOP 1,501
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.03DOP 1,512
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.20DOP 825
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.31DOP 251
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$262DOP 15.2K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,077DOP 469.3K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7DOP 3,467
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4DOP 3,042
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.3DOP 5,652
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116DOP 6,749
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$158DOP 9,210
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$109DOP 6,360
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$275DOP 16.0K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$208DOP 12.1K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,947DOP 113.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,284DOP 74.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$466DOP 27.1K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.25
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Higuey: July 27, 2026
Last update for Santa Cruz del Seibo: July 26, 2026
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
Higuey vs Santa Cruz del Seibo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Santa Cruz del Seibo cheaper than Higuey?
Santa Cruz del Seibo is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 314% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $993 in Higuey and $240 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.
How do food prices compare in Higuey and in Santa Cruz del Seibo?
Supermarket bills run roughly 394% higher in Higuey. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Higuey and in Santa Cruz del Seibo?
All in, you'll spend $662 per month in Higuey versus $160 in Santa Cruz del Seibo – a 314% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Higuey or 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.
Is it better to live in Higuey or in 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.
Which city is safer, Higuey or Santa Cruz del Seibo?
Safety-wise, Higuey and Santa Cruz del Seibo are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Santa Cruz del Seibo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 314% less than in Higuey. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.