Cost of Living in Dominican Republic - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Dominican Republic
Address: DO

Monthly Cost of Living

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $736 including rent across Dominican Republic.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,182 including rent across Dominican Republic.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,627 including rent across Dominican Republic.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.68 DOP 390

$3.35 DOP 195

$16.71 DOP 975

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.0 DOP 2,974

$30.59 DOP 1,784

$85.0 DOP 4,956

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.75 DOP 394

$5.91 DOP 345

$8.44 DOP 493

Cappuccino

$2.10 DOP 123

$0.83 DOP 48.51

$4.15 DOP 242

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

$1.05 DOP 61.3

$0.58 DOP 33.82

$2.46 DOP 143

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 DOP 49.39

$0.43 DOP 24.99

$2.04 DOP 119

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.48 DOP 145

$1.82 DOP 106

$4.12 DOP 240

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.36 DOP 255

$2.97 DOP 173

$7.86 DOP 459

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 DOP 75.8

$1.02 DOP 59.7

$1.65 DOP 96.0

White Bread (500g)

$1.66 DOP 96.8

$0.86 DOP 50.2

$2.84 DOP 166

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.30 DOP 75.8

$0.77 DOP 45.01

$1.90 DOP 111

Eggs

$1.75 DOP 102

$1.17 DOP 68.1

$2.69 DOP 157

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.17 DOP 418

$4.04 DOP 236

$14.33 DOP 836

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.15 DOP 301

$2.14 DOP 125

$8.26 DOP 482

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.95 DOP 522

$5.20 DOP 303

$17.19 DOP 1,003

Apples (1kg)

$2.93 DOP 171

$1.33 DOP 77.5

$4.39 DOP 256

Banana (1kg)

$0.89 DOP 51.8

$0.58 DOP 33.76

$2.17 DOP 127

Oranges (1kg)

$2.47 DOP 144

$0.67 DOP 39.29

$3.82 DOP 223

Tomato (1kg)

$1.60 DOP 93.2

$0.67 DOP 39.11

$2.93 DOP 171

Potato (1kg)

$1.56 DOP 90.9

$0.73 DOP 42.85

$3.38 DOP 197

Onion (1kg)

$2.23 DOP 130

$1.22 DOP 71.3

$3.84 DOP 224

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 DOP 51.6

$0.43 DOP 25.24

$1.34 DOP 78.0

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.76 DOP 44.35

$0.40 DOP 23.28

$1.62 DOP 94.2

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.05 DOP 294

$3.37 DOP 197

$5.89 DOP 344

Wine (Bottle)

$10.36 DOP 604

$6.77 DOP 395

$25.38 DOP 1,480

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 DOP 152

$1.72 DOP 100

$3.44 DOP 201

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.24 DOP 189

$2.02 DOP 118

$4.20 DOP 245

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.65 DOP 37.92

$0.52 DOP 30.21

$1.04 DOP 60.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$33.62 DOP 1,961

$23.25 DOP 1,356

$83.6 DOP 4,874

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.48 DOP 203

$4.34 DOP 253

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.42 DOP 141

$1.62 DOP 94.2

$4.05 DOP 236

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.67 DOP 331

$3.66 DOP 213

$6.97 DOP 407

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 DOP 76.7

$1.20 DOP 70.2

$1.34 DOP 77.9

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.3K DOP 1.5M

$22.3K DOP 1.3M

$32.7K DOP 1.9M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$31.8K DOP 1.9M

$29.3K DOP 1.7M

$36.1K DOP 2.1M

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

$66.1 DOP 3,858

$40.92 DOP 2,387

$142 DOP 8,281

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

$20.50 DOP 1,196

$17.00 DOP 991

$42.48 DOP 2,478

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.56 DOP 2,191

$25.12 DOP 1,465

$54.4 DOP 3,175

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$26.08 DOP 1,522

$14.54 DOP 848

$60.5 DOP 3,526

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.70 DOP 799

$8.55 DOP 498

$17.09 DOP 997

Cinema Ticket

$6.28 DOP 366

$4.36 DOP 254

$8.73 DOP 509

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

$240 DOP 14.0K

$165 DOP 9,597

$450 DOP 26.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,130 DOP 357.6K

$3,308 DOP 193.0K

$10.3K DOP 603.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.96 DOP 2,506

$16.77 DOP 978

$83.9 DOP 4,891

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.9 DOP 2,969

$25.00 DOP 1,458

$70.0 DOP 4,084

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.1 DOP 4,671

$50.6 DOP 2,953

$118 DOP 6,891

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$94.2 DOP 5,495

$42.91 DOP 2,503

$172 DOP 10.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$455 DOP 26.5K

$220 DOP 12.8K

$997 DOP 58.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$253 DOP 14.7K

$137 DOP 8,005

$657 DOP 38.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$886 DOP 51.7K

$376 DOP 21.9K

$1,752 DOP 102.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$463 DOP 27.0K

$253 DOP 14.8K

$1,097 DOP 64.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,157 DOP 125.8K

$1,293 DOP 75.4K

$3,246 DOP 189.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,188 DOP 69.3K

$917 DOP 53.5K

$1,779 DOP 103.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$622 DOP 36.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.16

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

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National average salary: $593. With average costs at $736, the gap is significant. Expats and remote workers with foreign income benefit most.

Expect to spend about $192 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $38.00 for two.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($736) is 45% below the global median of $1,340.

Average rent ($229) is 63% below the global median of $627.

Dining out ($38.00) is 21% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($8.00) is 76% below the global median of $33.00.

By City in Dominican Republic

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Azua	128264	45	$554	$897	$1,531	$1,621	42.78	33.91
2	Bajos de Haina	232557	35	$582	$708	$1,546	$1,681	117.9	60.09
3	Barahona	138159						31.12	31.6
4	Boca Chica	-	35	$604	$700	$1,578	$1,566	136.56	31.12
5	Bonao	158034	35	$575	$686	$1,275	$1,525	15.95	37.01
6	Cabarete	-	44	$523	$863	$1,308	$1,758	126.95	76.42
7	Esperanza	51694	35	$631	$717	$1,381	$1,675	149.07	24.81
8	Hato Mayor del Rey	61517	35	$529	$700	$1,283	$1,518	187.16	27.19
9	Higuey	-	34	$527	$679	$1,306	$1,475	136.89	54.71
10	Jarabacoa	69855	37	$690	$726	$1,791	$1,722	52.35	33.8
11	La Romana	567431	40	$662	$797	$1,428	$2,054	173.06	86.09
12	La Vega	220279	26	$466	$516	$1,036	$1,414	265.74	39.24
13	Las Terrenas	-	55	$512	$1,079	$1,261	$2,155	117.03	65.74
14	Miches	25994	39	$598	$789	$1,155	$1,587	71.63	24.04
15	Moca	172294	38	$546	$762	$1,499	$1,567	55.99	47.52
16	Nagua	79420	35	$620	$706	$1,671	$1,682	166.75	26.94
17	Puerto Plata	130000	42	$580	$830	$1,336	$1,733	77.53	39.13
18	Punta Cana	-	69	$557	$1,396	$1,696	$2,529	156.34	93.08
19	Samana	108179	41	$522	$838	$1,362	$1,861	224.58	43.11
20	San Francisco de Macoris	245397	30	$508	$618	$1,032	$1,305	27.88	41.86
21	San Jose de Ocoa	57174	43	$693	$856	$1,731	$1,962	298.58	34.35
22	San Juan de la Maguana	589256						73.11	31.72
23	San Pedro de Macoris	217141	33	$610	$650	$1,411	$1,539	237.9	54.89
24	Santa Cruz del Seibo	-		$120	$123	$290	$260	-	-
25	Santiago de los Caballeros	1836778	45	$516	$907	$1,452	$1,879	49.51	42.45
26	Santo Domingo	965040	55	$831	$1,090	$1,789	$2,559	247.33	116.04
27	Santo Domingo Este	1000230	39	$585	$773	$1,344	$1,949	16.41	70.85
28	Sosua	-	59	$648	$1,188	$1,646	$2,981	12.99	76.42

Dominican Republic Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Dominican Republic - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with many Caribbean destinations, Cost of Living in Dominican Republic can feel approachable, especially if you adjust expectations on luxury versus value. You’ll find options from budget guesthouses to mid-range apartments, with costs tied to location and season. Outside resort zones, daily expenses for groceries, utilities, and local transport remain reasonable, while imported goods or premium neighborhoods push prices higher. The variation across towns means you can trade beachfront access for quieter streets or shorter commutes. Tip: map neighborhoods by lifestyle and rent threshold, then visit during shoulder season to test real costs.

Daily life in the Dominican Republic centers on finding a neighborhood that fits your routine. Look for airy, well-located apartments with reliable internet and reasonable utilities. Food options range from vibrant street stalls to grocery stores, so you can mix local staples with occasional treats without overspending. For transport, expect affordable buses and ride-hailing, with car use optional outside peak season. Co-working spaces offer community and predictable Wi-Fi for remote work. Dominican Republic living cost varies by area, so test a few neighborhoods before committing. Tip: spend a week in each area during different days to gauge daily costs and convenience.

Quality of life in the Dominican Republic means balancing climate, safety, and access to services. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed costs from flexible ones, track weekly groceries, and plan for shoulder-season travel to reduce crowding. Neighborhood fit matters: leafy suburbs may offer calmer routines; city centers provide faster access to amenities but higher noise and rents. Consider healthcare access, internet reliability, and community vibes when choosing a base. Seasonal shifts in tourism can affect availability and crowds, so factor in peak times if you’re staying long term. Tip: pick a home base that minimizes commute while maximizing the lifestyle you value.

As a lower-cost destination, Dominican Republic attracts expats, retirees, and long-term visitors on fixed budgets. Smaller cities are especially wallet-friendly, while bigger centers charge more but remain competitive globally.

Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in Dominican Republic drop fast. San Juan de la Maguana is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$1,200 a month goes far in Dominican Republic, especially outside the big cities. It's a realistic single-person budget that covers housing, food, transport, and leisure comfortably.