Cost of Living in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Are you considering a move to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and wondering about the cost of living? Santo Domingo is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Santo Domingo and help you understand whether $2038 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $488.53.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

10.0 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

49.06 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

7.01 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

2.63 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

4.38 $

Cappuccino (regular)

2.39 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

0.91 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.52 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

1.27 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

2.35 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.25 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

2.19 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

7.32 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

5.66 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

11.17 $

Apples (1 lb)

2.8 $

Banana (1 lb)

0.68 $

Oranges (1 lb)

2.55 $

Tomato (1 lb)

1.47 $

Potato (1 lb)

2.0 $

Onion (1 lb)

2.5 $

Lettuce (1 head)

0.88 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

1.17 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

11.83 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

2.54 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

3.64 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

3.85 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.61 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

70.08 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

3.5 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

2.63 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

7.01 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.3 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

32761.76 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

31278.58 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

71.12 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

49.13 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

43.2 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

17.42 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

7.23 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

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

422.22 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

7372.54 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

64.43 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

50.61 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

102.2 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

95.26 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

844.24 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

395.06 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

1571.58 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

882.6 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

1724.66 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

1396.4 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

488.53 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

11.59 %

Cost of Living in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Santo Domingo?

The monthly expenses for living in Santo Domingo come to a total of approximately $2038. This includes an average monthly rent of around $844 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $95 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $647 per month.

How affordable is living in Santo Domingo?

Living in Santo Domingo appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $488.53. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Santo Domingo, you would likely need an income exceeding $488.53.

What is the average salary in Santo Domingo?

In Santo Domingo, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $488.53, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Santo Domingo?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Santo Domingo is approximately $844. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $395.06 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Santo Domingo?

The expense for groceries in Santo Domingo can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $427 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in Dominican Republic?

The cost of living in Dominican Republic can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

How Safe Is Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

OVERALL RISK: HIGH

Overall, Santo Domingo is safe to visit, though it has many dangers and is ridden with crime. You should be aware that tourist hotspots, restaurants, shops, and public transportation are places where most thefts and pickpocketing occur, and that violent crime exists on the streets, too.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Transportation is not too safe, especially at night. Avoid public transport whenever you can, since this is where robberies and pickpocketing take place. Always call a reliable taxi instead of hailing one on the streets.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

As for pickpocketing, it is not as big of a concern in Santo Domingo, as the violent crime but you should exercise caution and keep your money and your valuables elsewhere, like in hidden pockets of your clothes and never keep all of your money in the same place.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

There has been a Zika outbreak in Santo Domingo and the rest of the Dominican Republic, so remain protected from mosquito bites at all times. It isn't rampaging right now, but the remainder of the virus still exists. Another natural disaster threatening this city is the hurricanes.

MUGGING RISK: HIGH

There have been cases of mugging and even kidnappings which usually involve criminals targeting a foreigner, taking them hostage and driving them to the nearest ATM to withdraw everything from their bank account.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risks of terrorist attacks in Santo Domingo are low, but since they shouldn't be ruled out, you must remain vigilant at all times and aware of your surroundings.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

There is a high risk of getting scammed in Santo Domingo. Be wary of weird people around ATMs or anyone trying to distract you. Taxi drivers might try to trick you into paying more, giving you wrongful information about the price of the ride.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH

Many women have traveled to Santo Domingo and had nothing but a great time. However, this country isn't the safest in terms of females traveling solo since there have been reports of women being attacked or shamed, so be careful, especially at night.

Useful Information & Tips
flight_takeoff

Airports

Las Américas International Airport is an international airport located in Punta Caucedo, near Santo Domingo and Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic.

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Visas

No tourist visa is required to enter Santo Domingo, for any stays shorter than 30 days. Make sure your passport is valid at the time of entry. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your nearest Dominican Republic embassy for further details.

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Currency

The Dominican peso is the official currency in Santo Domingo. ATMs can be found throughout the country and credit cards are widely accepted in most tourism-related establishments.

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Weather

Santo Domingo has a tropical climate, characterized by hot weather during the entire year, with two seasons in winter, a dry and a rainy season lasting from late April to October. The island is prone to hurricanes especially from June 1 to November 30.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Santo Domingo, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

What about weather in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 84°F 85°F 86°F 86°F 87°F 88°F 89°F 89°F 89°F 88°F 86°F 85°F
Temp 75°F 75°F 76°F 78°F 79°F 80°F 80°F 80°F 80°F 79°F 78°F 76°F
Low 68°F 67°F 68°F 70°F 72°F 74°F 74°F 74°F 74°F 73°F 71°F 69°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 28°C 29°C 30°C 30°C 30°C 31°C 31°C 31°C 31°C 31°C 30°C 29°C
Temp 23°C 23°C 24°C 25°C 26°C 26°C 26°C 26°C 26°C 26°C 25°C 24°C
Low 20°C 19°C 20°C 21°C 22°C 23°C 23°C 23°C 23°C 22°C 21°C 20°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in Dominican Republic with Santo Domingo

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

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