πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $201 in Lelydorp versus $1,015 in Paramaribo.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $412 in Lelydorp versus $1,740 in Paramaribo.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $622 in Lelydorp versus $2,464 in Paramaribo.
πLiving in Lelydorp costs roughly 80% less than in Paramaribo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Lelydorp85% lower, Paramaribo24% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Lelydorp
Paramaribo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.10SRDΒ 188
$8.42SRDΒ 311
-39.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.39SRDΒ 1,306
$43.33SRDΒ 1,598
-18.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.12SRDΒ 226
$10.32SRDΒ 381
-40.70%
Cappuccino
-
$2.66SRDΒ 98.1
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27SRDΒ 47.03
$1.18SRDΒ 43.71
7.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46SRDΒ 17.11
$0.79SRDΒ 28.97
-41.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.94SRDΒ 71.7
$2.95SRDΒ 109
-34.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.06SRDΒ 113
$4.16SRDΒ 154
-26.44%
π Groceries & Markets
Lelydorp
Paramaribo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.23SRDΒ 45.50
$1.80SRDΒ 66.5
-31.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.97SRDΒ 35.80
$1.26SRDΒ 46.65
-23.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.23SRDΒ 45.31
$1.67SRDΒ 61.8
-26.35%
Eggs
$2.81SRDΒ 104
$3.46SRDΒ 128
-18.79%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$12.61SRDΒ 465
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.91SRDΒ 144
$5.71SRDΒ 211
-31.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.10SRDΒ 299
$9.77SRDΒ 361
-17.09%
Apples(1kg)
-
$4.39SRDΒ 162
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.54SRDΒ 56.8
$1.96SRDΒ 72.5
-21.43%
Oranges(1kg)
-
$3.25SRDΒ 120
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$5.51SRDΒ 203
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.02SRDΒ 37.48
$1.28SRDΒ 47.11
-20.31%
Onion(1kg)
$1.01SRDΒ 37.43
$2.01SRDΒ 74.2
-49.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.91SRDΒ 70.3
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.82SRDΒ 30.20
$1.53SRDΒ 56.3
-46.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$5.71SRDΒ 211
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$7.84SRDΒ 289
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.97SRDΒ 72.5
$2.21SRDΒ 81.7
-10.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.28SRDΒ 121
-
π Getting Around
Lelydorp
Paramaribo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.48SRDΒ 17.67
$0.45SRDΒ 16.68
6.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$91.4SRDΒ 3,370
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$3.02SRDΒ 111
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$2.46SRDΒ 90.7
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$9.93SRDΒ 366
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.89SRDΒ 32.70
$1.14SRDΒ 41.87
-21.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$25.1KSRDΒ 925.9K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$25.3KSRDΒ 931.6K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lelydorp
Paramaribo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$39.72SRDΒ 1,465
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$25.69SRDΒ 948
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$29.40SRDΒ 1,085
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Lelydorp
Paramaribo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$12.83SRDΒ 473
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$20.21SRDΒ 745
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.57SRDΒ 169
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Lelydorp
Paramaribo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$63.4SRDΒ 2,338
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$1,939SRDΒ 71.5K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Lelydorp
Paramaribo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$35.87SRDΒ 1,323
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$28.12SRDΒ 1,037
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$76.3SRDΒ 2,816
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$111SRDΒ 4,107
-
π Accommodation & Living
Lelydorp
Paramaribo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$496SRDΒ 18.3K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$214SRDΒ 7,878
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,087SRDΒ 40.1K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$570SRDΒ 21.0K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$479SRDΒ 17.7K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$395SRDΒ 14.6K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Lelydorp
Paramaribo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$302SRDΒ 11.1K
$278SRDΒ 10.3K
8.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17
16
6.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lelydorp: May 31, 2026
Last update for Paramaribo: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π°Lelydorp pays 8% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $35.00 in Lelydorp vs $43.00 in Paramaribo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $116 vs $288 per month, with Lelydorp cheaper across the board.
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
Lelydorp vs Paramaribo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lelydorp or Paramaribo?
Lelydorp wins on cost β living expenses run 406% lower than in Paramaribo. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Lelydorp the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Lelydorp or Paramaribo?
Lelydorp pays 8% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does it cost to live in Lelydorp compared to Paramaribo?
All in, you'll spend $201 per month in Lelydorp versus $1,015 in Paramaribo β a 406% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Are groceries more expensive in Lelydorp or Paramaribo?
Supermarket bills run roughly 148% higher in Paramaribo. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Lelydorp or Paramaribo?
At $201 in Lelydorp versus $1,015 in Paramaribo, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Lelydorp but tight or insufficient in Paramaribo. The gap between the two cities makes Lelydorp the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Lelydorp or Paramaribo?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Lelydorp compared to Paramaribo?
Safety-wise, Lelydorp and Paramaribo 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Lelydorp gentler on the wallet β expenses run 406% less than in Paramaribo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.