Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Noord and Santa Cruz, Aruba

For one person, living is cheaper in Santa Cruz: $1,886 a month against $2,594 in Noord, rent and utilities included – about $8,500 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Noord outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Jump to prices

Noord

🇦🇼 Aruba

$2,594

/mo nomad

Santa Cruz

🇦🇼 Aruba

$1,886

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Noord and in Santa Cruz

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Noord and in Santa Cruz actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,594 per month in Noord vs $1,886 in Santa Cruz, rent included.

Noord $2,594
Santa Cruz $1,886

A couple spends around $4,124 per month in Noord vs $2,900 in Santa Cruz, rent included.

Noord $4,124
Santa Cruz $2,900

A family of three spends $5,654 per month in Noord vs $3,914 in Santa Cruz, rent included.

Noord $5,654
Santa Cruz $3,914

Noord costs about 38% more than Santa Cruz.

Both Noord and Santa Cruz sit above the global median – Noord by 92%, Santa Cruz by 40%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.76 AWG 44.31

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$93.9 AWG 168

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.25 AWG 27.29

Cappuccino

$2.97 AWG 5.31

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.44 AWG 4.37

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 AWG 3.23

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.63 AWG 13.65

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.56 AWG 15.32

Milk (1 liter)

$1.84 AWG 3.29

$2.20 AWG 3.94

-16.36%

White Bread (500g)

$2.95 AWG 5.28

$2.64 AWG 4.73

11.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.84 AWG 5.08

$4.42 AWG 7.91

-35.75%

Eggs

$6.38 AWG 11.41

$4.78 AWG 8.55

33.47%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.36 AWG 22.12

$8.14 AWG 14.57

51.84%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.36 AWG 16.75

$7.69 AWG 13.77

21.72%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.32 AWG 22.04

$6.75 AWG 12.08

82.52%

Apples (1kg)

$4.51 AWG 8.07

$4.52 AWG 8.08

-0.22%

Banana (1kg)

$2.20 AWG 3.93

$4.57 AWG 8.17

-51.86%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.87 AWG 8.72

$8.12 AWG 14.54

-40.02%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.54 AWG 6.33

$6.87 AWG 12.29

-48.47%

Potato (1kg)

$2.29 AWG 4.11

$6.70 AWG 11.99

-65.82%

Onion (1kg)

$1.99 AWG 3.57

$1.89 AWG 3.39

5.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.57 AWG 4.59

$3.00 AWG 5.37

-14.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.60 AWG 2.85

$4.54 AWG 8.13

-64.76%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.08 AWG 18.03

$10.34 AWG 18.51

-2.51%

Wine (Bottle)

$9.79 AWG 17.52

$19.59 AWG 35.05

-50.03%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$5.50 AWG 9.85

$2.55 AWG 4.56

115.69%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.30 AWG 7.69

$3.09 AWG 5.54

39.16%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 AWG 3.50

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$154 AWG 276

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$19.32 AWG 34.57

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.75 AWG 35.34

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.76 AWG 4.94

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$197 AWG 353

$141 AWG 252

40.14%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$69.7 AWG 125

$71.3 AWG 128

-2.15%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$102 AWG 182

$207 AWG 371

-50.87%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$68.5 AWG 123

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$46.44 AWG 83.1

Cinema Ticket

$8.39 AWG 15.02

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$141 AWG 252

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$78.8 AWG 141

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$110 AWG 197

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$140 AWG 251

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$137 AWG 245

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,474 AWG 2,637

$1,268 AWG 2,270

16.17%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,500 AWG 2,684

$557 AWG 998

169.03%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,171 AWG 5,675

$1,534 AWG 2,746

106.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,180 AWG 5,691

$1,407 AWG 2,519

125.93%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,667 AWG 6,564

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

Last update for Noord: November 2, 2026

Last update for Santa Cruz: November 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,474 in Noord versus $1,268 in Santa Cruz. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Good to know

🇦🇼 Noord

🇦🇼 Santa Cruz

🕒 Local time

13:10 1:10 PM

Same time as Noord

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

24,193

15,236

💱 Currency

Aruban Florin AWG ƒ

📈 Exchange rate

1 AWG = 0.559 USD

1 AWG = 0.497 EUR

1 AWG = 0.559 USD

1 AWG = 0.497 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Highest

Between locations

Noord Santa Cruz 8 km

From you

Noord
Santa Cruz

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

Noord vs Santa Cruz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Noord costs about 38% more than Santa Cruz, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,892 per month in Noord and $2,829 in Santa Cruz. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Santa Cruz, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,268 there versus $1,474 in Noord.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,594 in Noord and $1,886 in Santa Cruz. That makes Santa Cruz about 27% cheaper.

Interestingly, groceries are about 14% cheaper in Noord – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.

$3,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $2,594 in Noord and $1,886 in Santa Cruz, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

It depends on your priorities. Noord has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,886 in Santa Cruz to $2,594 in Noord. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.