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.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Paramaribo

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.

$2,316 /mo
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.42 SRD 506
$4.03 SRD 152
$26.85 SRD 1,012
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.8 SRD 1,989
$33.28 SRD 1,254
$158 SRD 5,967
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.82 SRD 408
$9.82 SRD 370
$11.74 SRD 442
Cappuccino
$2.86 SRD 108
$1.35 SRD 50.7
$6.18 SRD 233
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 SRD 53.3
$0.87 SRD 32.95
$2.02 SRD 76.2
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 SRD 32.98
$0.69 SRD 25.92
$1.39 SRD 52.2
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.66 SRD 100
$1.34 SRD 50.4
$4.02 SRD 151
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.87 SRD 146
$2.91 SRD 110
$5.80 SRD 218
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.75 SRD 65.8
$1.03 SRD 38.76
$2.43 SRD 91.4
White Bread (500g)
$1.41 SRD 53.1
$1.02 SRD 38.50
$2.04 SRD 77.0
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.65 SRD 62.3
$1.08 SRD 40.53
$2.15 SRD 81.1
Eggs
$3.12 SRD 118
$2.45 SRD 92.2
$3.50 SRD 132
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.77 SRD 444
$7.93 SRD 299
$21.16 SRD 797
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.13 SRD 231
$2.11 SRD 79.7
$9.98 SRD 376
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.24 SRD 386
$2.62 SRD 98.7
$15.76 SRD 594
Apples (1kg)
$4.78 SRD 180
$2.61 SRD 98.2
$7.83 SRD 295
Banana (1kg)
$3.01 SRD 113
$1.30 SRD 48.98
$3.91 SRD 147
Oranges (1kg)
$3.67 SRD 138
$1.56 SRD 58.8
$10.43 SRD 393
Tomato (1kg)
$6.01 SRD 226
$2.66 SRD 100
$10.03 SRD 378
Potato (1kg)
$1.32 SRD 49.65
$0.52 SRD 19.49
$2.93 SRD 110
Onion (1kg)
$1.99 SRD 74.9
$1.08 SRD 40.52
$3.04 SRD 115
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.53 SRD 57.7
$1.01 SRD 37.98
$4.54 SRD 171
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.44 SRD 54.1
$0.78 SRD 29.26
$1.94 SRD 73.2
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.66 SRD 213
$2.63 SRD 99.0
$9.91 SRD 373
Wine (Bottle)
$8.07 SRD 304
$4.72 SRD 178
$10.77 SRD 406
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09 SRD 78.8
$1.50 SRD 56.4
$3.08 SRD 116
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.78 SRD 142
$1.35 SRD 50.7
$5.38 SRD 203
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.78 SRD 29.23
$0.41 SRD 15.59
$1.03 SRD 38.98
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.15 SRD 81.0
$1.34 SRD 50.4
$2.97 SRD 112
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.54 SRD 58.0
$1.07 SRD 40.20
$2.01 SRD 75.9
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.19 SRD 271
$4.09 SRD 154
$10.28 SRD 387
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.19 SRD 44.76
$1.09 SRD 40.90
$1.54 SRD 57.9
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K SRD 959.6K
$25.5K SRD 959.6K
$25.5K SRD 959.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K SRD 952.9K
$25.3K SRD 952.9K
$25.3K SRD 952.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$37.49 SRD 1,412
$21.15 SRD 797
$52.9 SRD 1,991
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.86 SRD 974
$20.98 SRD 790
$27.05 SRD 1,019
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.23 SRD 1,139
$21.09 SRD 794
$37.73 SRD 1,421
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$13.51 SRD 509
$9.24 SRD 348
$19.81 SRD 746
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.20 SRD 761
$18.43 SRD 694
$22.31 SRD 840
Cinema Ticket
$5.15 SRD 194
$4.10 SRD 154
$7.21 SRD 272
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$63.1 SRD 2,378
$25.09 SRD 945
$100 SRD 3,780
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,777 SRD 66.9K
$304 SRD 11.4K
$4,704 SRD 177.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.60 SRD 1,266
$10.05 SRD 379
$100 SRD 3,785
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.88 SRD 787
$10.49 SRD 395
$49.41 SRD 1,861
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$68.3 SRD 2,571
$40.28 SRD 1,517
$101 SRD 3,811
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 SRD 3,873
$49.45 SRD 1,863
$148 SRD 5,588
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$480 SRD 18.1K
$275 SRD 10.4K
$741 SRD 27.9K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$266 SRD 10.0K
$200 SRD 7,524
$345 SRD 13.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$939 SRD 35.4K
$700 SRD 26.4K
$1,999 SRD 75.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$499 SRD 18.8K
$398 SRD 15.0K
$844 SRD 31.8K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$461 SRD 17.3K
$147 SRD 5,554
$939 SRD 35.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$396 SRD 14.9K
$99.0 SRD 3,728
$841 SRD 31.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$282 SRD 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.
Paramaribo $1,002
Groceries & Markets
$300
Accommodation & Living
$266
Eating Out
$204
Clothing & Footwear
$102
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$94
Sport & Entertainment
$24
Getting Around
$13 *

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

Good to know
🕒 Local time
15:15 3:15 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
242,946 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to SRD – Surinamese Dollar Converter

Surinamese Dollar exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 37.67 SRD (100 SRD = 2.65 USD). 1 EUR = 42.35 SRD (100 SRD = 2.36 EUR).

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Paramaribo Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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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 $1,002. 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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