Cost of Living in Paramaribo - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,071 per month with rent, or $773 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,782 per month with rent, or $1,353 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $2,493 per month with rent, or $1,934 without housing.

Currency
Do you live in Paramaribo? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.05 SRD 490
$3.92 SRD 147
$26.11 SRD 980
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.6 SRD 1,976
$34.64 SRD 1,301
$158 SRD 5,928
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.18 SRD 420
$10.16 SRD 382
$12.10 SRD 454
Cappuccino
$2.89 SRD 109
$1.35 SRD 50.6
$6.22 SRD 234
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 SRD 53.4
$0.88 SRD 33.05
$2.03 SRD 76.1
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86 SRD 32.32
$0.68 SRD 25.40
$1.35 SRD 50.8
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.63 SRD 98.7
$1.31 SRD 49.14
$3.97 SRD 149
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.86 SRD 145
$2.91 SRD 109
$5.78 SRD 217
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.84 SRD 69.2
$1.08 SRD 40.72
$2.56 SRD 96.1
White Bread (500g)
$1.34 SRD 50.2
$0.98 SRD 36.63
$1.95 SRD 73.3
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.59 SRD 59.8
$1.04 SRD 38.89
$2.07 SRD 77.8
Eggs
$2.96 SRD 111
$2.32 SRD 87.0
$3.33 SRD 125
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.96 SRD 411
$4.97 SRD 187
$21.03 SRD 790
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.30 SRD 236
$2.17 SRD 81.6
$10.26 SRD 385
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.42 SRD 391
$2.67 SRD 100
$16.02 SRD 601
Apples (1kg)
$4.83 SRD 181
$2.64 SRD 99.1
$7.91 SRD 297
Banana (1kg)
$2.42 SRD 91.0
$1.01 SRD 37.93
$4.04 SRD 152
Oranges (1kg)
$3.64 SRD 137
$1.55 SRD 58.1
$10.31 SRD 387
Tomato (1kg)
$6.15 SRD 231
$2.72 SRD 102
$10.28 SRD 386
Potato (1kg)
$1.40 SRD 52.7
$0.54 SRD 20.22
$3.05 SRD 114
Onion (1kg)
$1.93 SRD 72.5
$1.04 SRD 39.21
$2.96 SRD 111
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.49 SRD 55.8
$0.98 SRD 36.94
$4.43 SRD 166
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.51 SRD 56.8
$0.81 SRD 30.51
$2.06 SRD 77.3
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.83 SRD 219
$2.71 SRD 102
$10.24 SRD 385
Wine (Bottle)
$8.07 SRD 303
$4.70 SRD 177
$10.76 SRD 404
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07 SRD 77.6
$1.49 SRD 55.8
$3.05 SRD 115
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.83 SRD 144
$1.36 SRD 51.0
$5.44 SRD 204
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.78 SRD 29.38
$0.42 SRD 15.67
$1.04 SRD 39.17
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$88.6 SRD 3,326
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.04 SRD 114
$1.37 SRD 51.3
$3.04 SRD 114
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.98 SRD 74.4
$1.05 SRD 39.45
$2.97 SRD 112
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.05 SRD 377
$7.03 SRD 264
$15.07 SRD 566
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.13 SRD 42.33
$1.03 SRD 38.65
$1.47 SRD 55.2
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.3K SRD 948.2K
$25.3K SRD 948.2K
$25.3K SRD 948.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.0K SRD 938.3K
$25.0K SRD 938.3K
$25.0K SRD 938.3K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$38.04 SRD 1,428
$21.41 SRD 804
$53.5 SRD 2,010
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.85 SRD 971
$20.99 SRD 788
$26.97 SRD 1,013
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.37 SRD 1,141
$21.15 SRD 794
$37.97 SRD 1,426
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$12.40 SRD 466
$8.00 SRD 301
$20.01 SRD 751
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.01 SRD 714
$18.29 SRD 687
$19.74 SRD 741
Cinema Ticket
$4.53 SRD 170
$4.01 SRD 151
$7.07 SRD 266
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$63.7 SRD 2,392
$25.34 SRD 952
$101 SRD 3,807
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,777 SRD 66.7K
$305 SRD 11.4K
$4,704 SRD 176.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.89 SRD 1,423
$13.26 SRD 498
$65.1 SRD 2,446
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.05 SRD 1,016
$10.66 SRD 400
$50.3 SRD 1,889
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$73.0 SRD 2,740
$39.80 SRD 1,495
$100 SRD 3,765
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 SRD 3,895
$49.96 SRD 1,876
$200 SRD 7,504
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$491 SRD 18.4K
$281 SRD 10.5K
$758 SRD 28.5K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$261 SRD 9,788
$196 SRD 7,362
$337 SRD 12.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,148 SRD 43.1K
$699 SRD 26.2K
$2,496 SRD 93.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$500 SRD 18.8K
$399 SRD 15.0K
$846 SRD 31.8K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$476 SRD 17.9K
$153 SRD 5,734
$970 SRD 36.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$398 SRD 14.9K
$99.8 SRD 3,747
$845 SRD 31.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$285 SRD 10.7K
-
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: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $491, dropping to $261 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 172% of the average salary ($285) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $285 – below monthly costs of $1,071. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $296 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $53.0.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $88.6.

Cost Highlights

Paramaribo has the 2nd most expensive public transport monthly pass in South America

Paramaribo has the 6th cheapest gym membership in South America

Paramaribo has the 9th cheapest preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child 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
City tags:
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 $1,071. 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 $1,071, 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 $285, while comfortable living starts around $1,607. With total costs hitting $1,071 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 $491 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $261. 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 $296 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 $88.6 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 $1,071 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 $1,071, 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 $1,071, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.

Paramaribo vs other spots: cost of living compared

Nearby cities

Similar cities