Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between the United States and Dominica

For one person, living is cheaper in Dominica: $1,260 a month against $2,701 in the United States, rent and utilities included – about $17,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

🇺🇸 United States
$2,701
/mo nomad
🇩🇲 Dominica
$1,260
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in the United States and in Dominica

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

A single person spends $2,701 per month in the United States vs $1,260 in Dominica, rent included.

  • United States $2,701
  • Dominica $1,260

A couple spends around $3,980 per month in the United States vs $2,106 in Dominica, rent included.

  • United States $3,980
  • Dominica $2,106

A family of three spends $5,258 per month in the United States vs $2,952 in Dominica, rent included.

  • United States $5,258
  • Dominica $2,952

The cost of living in the United States is about 114% higher than in Dominica on average.

The United States sits 100% above the global median, while Dominica is 7% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Dominica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.92 $19.92
$7.28 EC$19.66
173.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.0 $81.0
$54.9 EC$148
47.66%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.07 $12.07
$7.24 EC$19.55
66.71%
Cappuccino
$5.55 $5.55
$3.70 EC$9.99
50.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67 $2.67
$2.45 EC$6.61
8.98%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09 $2.09
$2.10 EC$5.67
-0.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.96 $5.96
$1.80 EC$4.87
231.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.76 $7.76
$3.31 EC$8.94
134.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Dominica
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 $1.05
$3.20 EC$8.65
-67.19%
White Bread (500g)
$3.55 $3.55
$2.25 EC$6.07
57.78%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.64 $4.64
$1.50 EC$4.04
209.33%
Eggs
$4.18 $4.18
$5.45 EC$14.71
-23.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.76 $12.76
$2.42 EC$6.55
427.27%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.63 $12.63
$10.47 EC$28.28
20.63%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.22 $17.22
$12.99 EC$35.07
32.56%
Apples (1kg)
$5.15 $5.15
$7.46 EC$20.13
-30.97%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 $1.64
$2.84 EC$7.67
-42.25%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.46 $4.46
$4.64 EC$12.54
-3.88%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.98 $4.98
$5.02 EC$13.56
-0.80%
Potato (1kg)
$2.84 $2.84
$3.29 EC$8.88
-13.68%
Onion (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
$3.08 EC$8.31
0.32%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.19 $2.19
$1.97 EC$5.31
11.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.27 $2.27
$2.58 EC$6.96
-12.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.61 $10.61
$7.29 EC$19.69
45.54%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.71 $14.71
$11.03 EC$29.77
33.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10 $2.10
$2.39 EC$6.46
-12.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.82 $3.82
$2.84 EC$7.66
34.51%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Dominica
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.29 EC$3.47
82.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.1 $64.1
$53.1 EC$143
20.75%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.57 $3.57
$3.62 EC$9.77
-1.38%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.85 $1.85
$3.77 EC$10.18
-50.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.19 $30.19
$10.36 EC$27.98
191.41%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.07 $1.07
$1.45 EC$3.91
-26.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K $35.3K
$35.1K EC$94.8K
0.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$30.0K EC$81.0K
-13.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Dominica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$217 $217
$139 EC$376
55.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.4 $61.4
$46.25 EC$125
32.67%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.4 $74.4
$69.9 EC$189
6.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Dominica
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.08 $45.08
$45.52 EC$123
-0.97%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.07 $23.07
$22.50 EC$60.7
2.53%
Cinema Ticket
$14.79 $14.79
$9.81 EC$26.48
50.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Dominica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,480 $1,480
$128 EC$346
1056.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.5K $25.5K
$4,355 EC$11.8K
484.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Dominica
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0 $53.0
$55.7 EC$150
-4.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.75 $42.75
$30.13 EC$81.4
41.89%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.3 $94.3
$67.2 EC$181
40.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115 $115
$80.5 EC$217
43.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Dominica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,678 $1,678
$284 EC$766
491.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,313 $1,313
$222 EC$598
492.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,649 $2,649
$816 EC$2,202
224.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,183 $2,183
$640 EC$1,727
241.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,374 $3,374
$100 EC$270
3270.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,661 $2,661
$36.73 EC$99.2
7143.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Dominica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,404 $4,404
$560 EC$1,512
686.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.55
7.6
-13.82%

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

Last update for the United States: October 10, 2026

Last update for Dominica: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
United States
$1.3K
Dominica
$222 83.1% $1.1K
Groceries & Markets
United States
$411
Dominica
$373 9.1% $37
Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
$352
Dominica
$256 27.5% $97
Eating Out
United States
$327
Dominica
$158 51.5% $168
Clothing & Footwear
United States
$137
Dominica
$105 23.6% $32
Getting Around
United States
$86
Dominica
$81 6.5% $5.6
Sport & Entertainment
United States
$75
Dominica
$65 12.7% $9.5

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,609 in the United States vs $89.0 in Dominica. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,730 in Washington, DC and $278 in Roseau.

Average salary: $4,533 in the United States vs $561 in Dominica. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 1708% higher in the United States.

Dining out costs 295% more in the United States.

Public transport is 200% more expensive in the United States.

Salaries are 708% higher in the United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in the United States.

Good to know
🇺🇸 United States
🇩🇲 Dominica
🕒 Local time
22:51 10:51 PM
22:51 10:51 PM
Same time as the United States
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
340,110,988
74,656
Exchange rates and currency converter

XCD, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

East Caribbean Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 2.7 XCD (1 XCD = 0.37 USD). 1 EUR = 3.04 XCD (1 XCD = 0.329 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • United States Dominica 3,410 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • United States
  • Dominica

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
United States vs Dominica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dominica more expensive than the United States?
Dominica is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 114% lower on average.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in the United States: a central one-bedroom averages $1,609 versus $89.0 in Dominica.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, public transport, and eating out all cost less in Dominica, adding to the overall 114% price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Dominica or in the United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Dominica, but in the United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Dominica or to the 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.

United States vs other spots: cost of living compared

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