Cost of Living in Paramaribo - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,015 per month with rent, or $850 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,740 per month with rent, or $1,264 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $2,464 per month with rent, or $1,679 without housing.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.42 SRD 311
$6.48 SRD 239
$13.45 SRD 496
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.33 SRD 1,598
$33.04 SRD 1,219
$406 SRD 15.0K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.32 SRD 381
$9.04 SRD 334
$11.28 SRD 416
Cappuccino
$2.66 SRD 98.1
$1.37 SRD 50.7
$4.13 SRD 152
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18 SRD 43.71
$0.83 SRD 30.71
$1.96 SRD 72.3
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 SRD 28.97
$0.42 SRD 15.57
$1.60 SRD 59.0
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.95 SRD 109
$1.33 SRD 48.94
$3.90 SRD 144
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.16 SRD 154
$2.05 SRD 75.8
$5.14 SRD 190
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.80 SRD 66.5
$1.02 SRD 37.59
$3.59 SRD 132
White Bread (500g)
$1.26 SRD 46.65
$0.80 SRD 29.66
$1.96 SRD 72.3
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.67 SRD 61.8
$1.16 SRD 42.81
$2.05 SRD 75.8
Eggs
$3.46 SRD 128
$2.44 SRD 90.2
$4.23 SRD 156
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.61 SRD 465
$5.06 SRD 187
$23.03 SRD 850
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.71 SRD 211
$2.34 SRD 86.4
$10.27 SRD 379
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.77 SRD 361
$6.56 SRD 242
$12.02 SRD 443
Apples (1kg)
$4.39 SRD 162
$2.81 SRD 104
$5.94 SRD 219
Banana (1kg)
$1.96 SRD 72.5
$0.98 SRD 36.05
$3.91 SRD 144
Oranges (1kg)
$3.25 SRD 120
$1.53 SRD 56.4
$5.10 SRD 188
Tomato (1kg)
$5.51 SRD 203
$1.52 SRD 56.2
$10.16 SRD 375
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 SRD 47.11
$0.74 SRD 27.18
$1.96 SRD 72.5
Onion (1kg)
$2.01 SRD 74.2
$0.98 SRD 36.18
$5.52 SRD 204
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.91 SRD 70.3
$1.01 SRD 37.20
$4.54 SRD 167
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.53 SRD 56.3
$1.06 SRD 39.04
$2.04 SRD 75.1
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.71 SRD 211
$2.85 SRD 105
$10.13 SRD 374
Wine (Bottle)
$7.84 SRD 289
$4.56 SRD 168
$10.44 SRD 385
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.21 SRD 81.7
$1.57 SRD 58.1
$2.95 SRD 109
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28 SRD 121
$1.33 SRD 49.18
$5.60 SRD 207
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.45 SRD 16.68
$0.41 SRD 15.16
$1.03 SRD 37.90
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$91.4 SRD 3,370
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.02 SRD 111
$1.36 SRD 50.1
$3.02 SRD 111
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.46 SRD 90.7
$1.97 SRD 72.5
$2.95 SRD 109
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.93 SRD 366
$6.95 SRD 256
$14.90 SRD 549
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 SRD 41.87
$1.05 SRD 38.88
$1.32 SRD 48.60
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1K SRD 925.9K
$25.1K SRD 925.9K
$25.1K SRD 925.9K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K SRD 931.6K
$25.3K SRD 931.6K
$25.3K SRD 931.6K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$39.72 SRD 1,465
$23.96 SRD 884
$81.0 SRD 2,988
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.69 SRD 948
$24.76 SRD 913
$28.19 SRD 1,040
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.40 SRD 1,085
$20.17 SRD 744
$38.27 SRD 1,412
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$12.83 SRD 473
$8.67 SRD 320
$15.24 SRD 562
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.21 SRD 745
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.57 SRD 169
$3.98 SRD 147
$6.92 SRD 255
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$63.4 SRD 2,338
$25.13 SRD 927
$101 SRD 3,709
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,939 SRD 71.5K
$345 SRD 12.7K
$4,969 SRD 183.3K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.87 SRD 1,323
$9.88 SRD 365
$98.8 SRD 3,645
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.12 SRD 1,037
$10.56 SRD 390
$49.44 SRD 1,824
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.3 SRD 2,816
$40.54 SRD 1,495
$152 SRD 5,601
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 SRD 4,107
$50.4 SRD 1,857
$201 SRD 7,430
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$496 SRD 18.3K
$290 SRD 10.7K
$1,228 SRD 45.3K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$214 SRD 7,878
$116 SRD 4,293
$295 SRD 10.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,087 SRD 40.1K
$598 SRD 22.0K
$2,528 SRD 93.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$570 SRD 21.0K
$398 SRD 14.7K
$1,992 SRD 73.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$479 SRD 17.7K
$152 SRD 5,617
$980 SRD 36.2K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$395 SRD 14.6K
$98.1 SRD 3,620
$842 SRD 31.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$278 SRD 10.3K
-
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: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $496, dropping to $214 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 178% of the average salary ($278) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $278 – below monthly costs of $1,015. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $288 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $43.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $91.4.

Cost Highlights

Paramaribo has the most expensive public transport monthly pass in South America

Paramaribo has the 3rd cheapest gym membership in South America

3-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 97% of cities in South America

Paramaribo Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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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 $1,015. 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 $1,015, 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 $278, while comfortable living starts around $1,523. With total costs hitting $1,015 monthly, saving is possible if you earn above average – but it takes intentional budgeting.
How much is rent in Paramaribo?
In Paramaribo's center, a one-bedroom apartment runs about $496 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $214. 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 $288 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.
How much is public transport in Paramaribo?
Getting around Paramaribo by public transport costs about $91.4 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Paramaribo?
$1,000 is below the $1,015 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 $1,015, 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 $1,015, 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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