Cost Of Living For a Couple in Haiti 2025

Average monthly spending for couples in Haiti

How much money does a couple need in a month to survive in Haiti?

Couples in Haiti spend around 79,000 HTG per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a couple can survive with a monthly budget as low as 26,000 HTG or as high as 420,000 HTG. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.

Couple expenditure to income ratio in Haiti

Analysing the how affordable it is for couples to live in Haiti

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Couples usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a couple of four ranges between 70% to 80%.

Couples in Haiti spend around 83% of their monthly income. Some couples spend as low as 77% of their income while some as high as 91%.

How do couples spend their money in Haiti?

We asked thousands of couples about their spending habits and expenditure break down.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for couples

Couples in Haiti typically spend from 19% to 36% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 27,000 HTG with expenditure ranging from 9,000 HTG to 140,000 HTG. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for couples

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Haiti ranges from 6% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average for most couples. The average monthly cost of utilities is 3,600 HTG with 1,100 HTG and 23,000 HTG being the upper and lower limits for a couple of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for couples

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a couple resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a couple would expect to spend from 3,200 HTG to 51,000 HTG in a month on commuting with 9,500 HTG being the norm for most couples. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 9% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 14%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for couples

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical couple in a month in Haiti is 11,000 HTG. The cost of groceries can range between 3,700 HTG to 59,000 HTG. Couples spend on average about 17% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 12% and 22% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for couples

Couples in Haiti allocate 8% to 18% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 14%. The range of medical expenses range from 2,900 HTG to 46,000 HTG with 8,700 HTG being the norm for most couples.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for couples

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 1,600 HTG to 25,000 HTG with 4,700 HTG being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most couples.

Education and schooling expenditure for couples

Spending on education can vary drastically between different couples. On average, education constitutes 1% of the monthly expenditure of couples with 0.00% and 3% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 1,600 HTG per month with 530 HTG being the minimum spent amount and 8,400 HTG being the maximum.

What percentage of couples in Haiti are able to save money and how much can they save?

Percentage of couples that reported their ability to save money

Almost 53% of surveyed couples in Haiti said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 47% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.

How much money do couples manage to add to their savings?

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples that are able to save money can put anywhere from 9% to 29% of their monthly income to their savings, with 16% being the average for most couples. The average monthly amount of money that couples can put aside is 24,000 HTG with 7,900 HTG and 130,000 HTG being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Haiti

Reasons that make it difficult for couples to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping couples from maximizing their savings in Haiti. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 5% of the couples said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 13% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% of couples blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 21% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 13% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for couples in Haiti

Where do people choose to put their savings?

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

• 50% for needs and financial obligations

  This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

• 30% for wants and discretionary spending

  This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

• 20% for savings and emergency fund

  This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

Affordable living in Haiti

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked couples one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Haiti?

Around 49% of surveyed couples think that living in Haiti is affordable with proper budgeting while 51% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Haiti

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked couples how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options55%

Few low-cost options45%

Based on the survey, 55% of the couples living in Haiti have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 45% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Couples

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked couples of Haiti whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes47%

No53%

Based on the survey, 53% of the couples living in Haiti said that they don't have an emergency fund while 47% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Haiti

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy44%

We asked couple guardians and parents in Haiti whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 56% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 44% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.

Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether couples of Haiti have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 52% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 48% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance52%

Easily manages finances48%

Financial goals of couples in Haiti

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Haiti, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.

Around 8% of couples said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 43% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 6% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 14% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Haiti

Percentage of couples who are in debt

According to the survey, 30% of the couples in Haiti have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 70% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Haiti

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 32% of a couple's monthly income in Haiti goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Haiti pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 19% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 10% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Haiti

8% of debtors in Haiti confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 30% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 14% of people and personal loans rose at 44%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Haiti.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.

Loan Affordability Index in Haiti

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked couples of Haiti how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Haiti

Rent Cost in Haiti

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

5,700 HTG

8,600 HTG

23,000 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$43

$65

$170

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

8,600 HTG

14,000 HTG

34,000 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$65

$100

$260

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

11,000 HTG

17,000 HTG

46,000 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$86

$130

$340

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

14,000 HTG

23,000 HTG

62,000 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$100

$170

$470

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

27,000 HTG

69,000 HTG

140,000 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$210

$520

$1,000

Townhouse monthly rent cost

23,000 HTG

34,000 HTG

98,000 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$170

$260

$740

House monthly rent cost

27,000 HTG

69,000 HTG

140,000 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$210

$520

$1,000

Villa monthly rent cost

34,000 HTG

86,000 HTG

140,000 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$260

$650

$1,000

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Haiti ranges between 5,700 HTG and 23,000 HTG, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 8,600 HTG to 34,000 HTG. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 11,000 HTG and 46,000 HTG per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 14,000 HTG to 62,000 HTG. The average rent of a townhouse in Haiti is around 34,000 HTG while house rental costs can be as high as 69,000 HTG per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 34,000 HTG to 140,000 HTG per month.

Apartment and house prices in Haiti

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

1.1M HTG

1.7M HTG

3.4M HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$8,600

$13,000

$26,000

1-bedroom apartment price

1.4M HTG

2.3M HTG

8.6M HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$10,000

$17,000

$65,000

2-bedroom apartment price

2.3M HTG

6.9M HTG

14M HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$17,000

$52,000

$100,000

3-bedroom apartment price

7.6M HTG

11M HTG

34M HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$57,000

$86,000

$260,000

Townhouse price

9.8M HTG

23M HTG

86M HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$74,000

$170,000

$650,000

House price

11M HTG

69M HTG

98M HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$86,000

$520,000

$740,000

Villa price

14M HTG

76M HTG

110M HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$100,000

$570,000

$860,000

The average price of a studio apartment in Haiti can range from 1.1M HTG to 3.4M HTG depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.4M HTG to 8.6M HTG. A villa can cost you 76M HTG on average with prices ranging from 14M HTG to 110M HTG.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Haiti can be x82 to x189 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x82 multiples of the average monthly salary in Haiti.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Haiti is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 18% to 38% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Haiti

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Haiti

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

1,100 HTG

3,600 HTG

23,000 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$8

$27

$170

Internet and cable cost

340 HTG

690 HTG

910 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.6

$5.2

$6.9

Mobile phone bill and charges

270 HTG

460 HTG

1,400 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.1

$3.4

$10

The average monthly energy and water consumption of couples is around 3,600 HTG. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 340 HTG to 910 HTG with 690 HTG being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 460 HTG but can range between 270 HTG and 1,400 HTG depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.

Energy / Utility expense to income ratio

The average utility-to-income ratio in Haiti is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Haiti

Prices and cost of goods and services in Haiti

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

69 HTG

140 HTG

230 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.52

$1

$1.7

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Haiti is approximatly 140 HTG with meal cost ranging from 69 HTG to 230 HTG. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

230 HTG

340 HTG

690 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.7

$2.6

$5.2

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 230 HTG and 690 HTG with 340 HTG being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Haiti.

Fine dining meal for one price

460 HTG

690 HTG

2,700 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.4

$5.2

$21

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 460 HTG to 2,700 HTG with the average cost being 690 HTG for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Haiti.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

57 HTG

91 HTG

140 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.43

$0.69

$1

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Haiti is around 91 HTG. Price ranges between 57 HTG and 140 HTG depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

46 HTG

55 HTG

69 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.34

$0.41

$0.52

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Haiti is 55 HTG. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 69 HTG and the minimum being 46 HTG depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

34 HTG

46 HTG

69 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.26

$0.34

$0.52

A dozen eggs costs around 46 HTG on average with 34 HTG and 69 HTG being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

78 HTG

100 HTG

140 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.59

$0.76

$1.1

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Haiti is between 78 HTG and 140 HTG depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 100 HTG.

Pack of beef price

91 HTG

140 HTG

270 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.69

$1

$2.1

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 140 HTG. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

37 HTG

50 HTG

71 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.28

$0.38

$0.54

A bag of rice in Haiti costs around 50 HTG on average with prices rangeing between 37 HTG and 71 HTG depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

14 HTG

18 HTG

34 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.10

$0.14

$0.26

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 14 HTG to 34 HTG. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

25 HTG

32 HTG

53 HTG

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.18

$0.24

$0.40

A bag of apples costs 32 HTG on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Haiti is around 27%. This means that couples spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for couples