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Last update: Oct 2026🇸🇷 Suriname ⭐ Capital👥 242.9K
Cost of Living in Paramaribo
For one person, living costs in Paramaribo are estimated at $1,002 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $23 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Paramaribo actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends around $1,002 per month with rent, or $698 for everyday expenses alone.
$1,002 /mo
A couple spends around $1,659 per month with rent, or $1,239 for everyday expenses alone.
$1,659 /mo
A family of three spends around $2,316 per month with rent, or $1,780 without housing.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5KSRD 959.6K
$25.5KSRD 959.6K
$25.5KSRD 959.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3KSRD 952.9K
$25.3KSRD 952.9K
$25.3KSRD 952.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$37.49SRD 1,412
$21.15SRD 797
$52.9SRD 1,991
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.86SRD 974
$20.98SRD 790
$27.05SRD 1,019
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.23SRD 1,139
$21.09SRD 794
$37.73SRD 1,421
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$13.51SRD 509
$9.24SRD 348
$19.81SRD 746
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.20SRD 761
$18.43SRD 694
$22.31SRD 840
Cinema Ticket
$5.15SRD 194
$4.10SRD 154
$7.21SRD 272
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$63.1SRD 2,378
$25.09SRD 945
$100SRD 3,780
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,777SRD 66.9K
$304SRD 11.4K
$4,704SRD 177.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.60SRD 1,266
$10.05SRD 379
$100SRD 3,785
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.88SRD 787
$10.49SRD 395
$49.41SRD 1,861
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$68.3SRD 2,571
$40.28SRD 1,517
$101SRD 3,811
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103SRD 3,873
$49.45SRD 1,863
$148SRD 5,588
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$480SRD 18.1K
$275SRD 10.4K
$741SRD 27.9K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$266SRD 10.0K
$200SRD 7,524
$345SRD 13.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$939SRD 35.4K
$700SRD 26.4K
$1,999SRD 75.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$499SRD 18.8K
$398SRD 15.0K
$844SRD 31.8K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$461SRD 17.3K
$147SRD 5,554
$939SRD 35.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$396SRD 14.9K
$99.0SRD 3,728
$841SRD 31.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$282SRD 10.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16
7
18
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 12, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Paramaribo$1,002
Paramaribo$2,316
🛒Groceries & Markets
$300 29.9%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$266 26.6%
🍽Eating Out
$204 20.4%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$102 10.1%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$94 9.3%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$24 2.4%
🚌Getting Around
$13 * 1.3%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🛒Groceries & Markets
$698 30.1%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$499 21.5%
🍽Eating Out
$679 29.3%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$226 9.7%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$119 5.2%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$68 2.9%
🚌Getting Around
$27 * 1.2%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $480, dropping to $266 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 170% of the average salary ($282) – well above the 30% international benchmark.
💰The average net salary is $282 – below monthly costs of $1,002. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.
🛒Groceries cost around $300 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $53.0.
Cost Highlights
⭐Paramaribo has the 6th cheapest gym membership in South America
⭐Paramaribo has the 10th cheapest preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child in South America
⭐Imported beer is more expensive than 96% of cities in South America
Cost of Living in Paramaribo - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paramaribo affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to get good value there?
People often find Cost of Living in Paramaribo reasonable for a balanced lifestyle, especially if you mix local options with comfortable pace. The city offers affordable street food, markets with fresh produce, and modest housing options compared with larger hubs in the region. You’ll notice value in transit, utilities, and everyday services when you choose practical layouts and neighborhoods that fit your work and social life. Tip: start with a few weeks in a short-term rental to calibrate your budget and pace.
What does day-to-day life look like in Paramaribo, including housing search, food options, transport, and coworking spaces?
On a day-to-day basis, you’ll balance a mix of affordable meals, local markets, and errands that fit a flexible schedule. Start housing searches in central districts near the Waterkant for walkability, then widen to leafy residential blocks for quieter mornings. Food runs range from busy markets to casual eateries with reliable value and seasonal produce. For getting around, buses are common, rideshares exist, and many places are walkable or bike-friendly in dry periods. Co-working spaces and caffeinated hubs support remote work. Understanding the Paramaribo living cost helps you tailor your day-to-day choices. Tip: keep a list of preferred neighborhoods and test them across a week.
What budgeting approach and neighborhood choices help you maintain a high quality of life in Paramaribo, considering seasonality and savings?
To maximize value over time, adopt a lightweight budgeting framework: track fixed costs (housing, utilities), flexible expenses (food, transport), and occasional costs (leisure, gear). Seasonality in markets and rain can shift choices toward local produce or indoor activities; use that to your advantage by buying in season and exploring neighborhood hubs for different vibes. For lifestyle, look for neighborhoods that combine safety, access to groceries, and efficient transit. Tip: set a monthly cap on discretionary spends and rotate favorite neighborhoods to keep routines fresh.
Is Paramaribo worth the cost of living?
Paramaribo is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $1,002. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.
Is Paramaribo expensive to live in?
Paramaribo sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,002, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
Can you save money on an average salary in Paramaribo?
The average net salary in Paramaribo is about $282, while comfortable living starts around $1,503. With total costs hitting $1,002 monthly, saving is possible if you earn above average – but it takes intentional budgeting.
How much is rent in Paramaribo?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Paramaribo runs about $480 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $266. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
Is food expensive in Paramaribo?
Grocery spending in Paramaribo lands around $300 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
What is a typical grocery budget in Paramaribo?
Groceries in Paramaribo run about $300 monthly for one person – a moderate figure that matches the city's overall cost level. Local markets and supermarkets cover most needs, and food costs are manageable without strict budgeting.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Paramaribo?
$1,000 is below the $1,002 average in Paramaribo, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Is Paramaribo good for expats?
Paramaribo works well for expats – there's a solid range of international services, diverse housing, and established communities of foreigners. English-language options for healthcare, banking, and real estate are increasingly available, making the transition fairly smooth.
How affordable is Paramaribo?
Paramaribo is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,002, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Is Paramaribo good for backpackers?
Paramaribo is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,002, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.
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