😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $666 in Higuey versus $157 in Santa Cruz del Seibo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,063 in Higuey versus $238 in Santa Cruz del Seibo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,461 in Higuey versus $319 in Santa Cruz del Seibo.
😐Living in Higuey is roughly 325% more expensive than 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
$4.60DOP 270
$9.83DOP 576
-53.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.81DOP 1,687
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.00DOP 293
$4.87DOP 285
2.67%
Cappuccino
$2.24DOP 131
$1.97DOP 115
13.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49DOP 28.71
$0.98DOP 57.2
-50.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43DOP 25.31
$0.52DOP 30.34
-17.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.89DOP 110
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92DOP 171
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05DOP 61.2
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.06DOP 61.8
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.81DOP 47.48
-
-
Eggs
$1.51DOP 88.5
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.51DOP 147
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.34DOP 196
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.98DOP 292
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.18DOP 186
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$0.85DOP 49.76
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$3.02DOP 177
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.93DOP 113
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$0.90DOP 52.8
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$2.38DOP 139
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09DOP 63.6
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.87DOP 51.1
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20DOP 246
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$10.75DOP 630
$17.40DOP 1,019
-38.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.74DOP 102
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62DOP 154
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.04DOP 60.9
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.45DOP 202
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.19DOP 128
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.80DOP 340
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28DOP 74.8
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.0KDOP 1.6M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5KDOP 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)
$51.2DOP 2,996
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.39DOP 1,487
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.20DOP 1,535
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.60DOP 855
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.22DOP 247
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$268DOP 15.7K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,089DOP 473.9K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.9DOP 3,507
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.0DOP 2,986
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.4DOP 5,650
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116DOP 6,809
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$159DOP 9,295
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$109DOP 6,370
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$281DOP 16.5K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$213DOP 12.5K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Higuey
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Santa Cruz del Seibo: June 7, 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 325% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $999 in Higuey and $235 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 Santa Cruz del Seibo?
Supermarket bills run roughly 388% higher in Higuey. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Higuey vs Santa Cruz del Seibo?
All in, you'll spend $666 per month in Higuey versus $157 in Santa Cruz del Seibo – a 325% 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 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 325% less than in Higuey. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.