Cost Of Living For a Family in Dominican Republic 2024

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Dominican Republic

Average monthly spending for families in Dominican Republic

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: DOP
11,000 31,000 200,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180 $520 $3,400

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Dominican Republic?

Families in Dominican Republic spend around 31,000 DOP per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 11,000 DOP or as high as 200,000 DOP. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Dominican Republic


Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Dominican Republic

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

20 DOP 40 DOP 66 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.34 $0.68 $1.1

Restaurant meal for one

66 DOP 100 DOP 200 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.1 $1.7 $3.4

Fine dining meal for one

130 DOP 200 DOP 800 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.4 $14

Cappuccino or latte

17 DOP 27 DOP 40 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.28 $0.45 $0.68

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

13 DOP 16 DOP 20 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.23 $0.27 $0.34

12 eggs

10 DOP 13 DOP 20 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.17 $0.23 $0.34

Fresh whole chicken

23 DOP 29 DOP 42 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.39 $0.50 $0.71

Pack of beef

27 DOP 40 DOP 80 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.45 $0.68 $1.4

Medium bag of rice

11 DOP 15 DOP 21 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.18 $0.25 $0.35

Bag of tomatos

4 DOP 5.3 DOP 10 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.07 $0.09 $0.17

Bag of apples

7.1 DOP 9.3 DOP 15 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.12 $0.16 $0.26
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Dominican Republic


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

17 DOP 20 DOP 40 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.28 $0.34 $0.68

Average car full tank

100 DOP 130 DOP 270 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.7 $2.3 $4.5

Average car 1-day rental

100 DOP 130 DOP 200 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.7 $2.3 $3.4

Average car price

50,000 DOP 100,000 DOP 130,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$850 $1,700 $2,300

Bus ticket one way

3.3 DOP 5 DOP 10 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.06 $0.08 $0.17

Car Service

130 DOP 200 DOP 400 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.4 $6.8
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Dominican Republic


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

540 DOP 1,500 DOP 10,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.2 $26 $170

Internet and cable

100 DOP 200 DOP 270 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.7 $3.4 $4.5

Mobile phone charges

80 DOP 130 DOP 400 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.4 $2.3 $6.8

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

50 DOP 66 DOP 100 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.85 $1.1 $1.7

One month gym membership

160 DOP 200 DOP 400 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.7 $3.4 $6.8
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Dominican Republic


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

120 DOP 170 DOP 250 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2 $2.8 $4.2

Woman dress

110 DOP 150 DOP 500 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.9 $2.6 $8.5

Woman shoes

100 DOP 140 DOP 330 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.8 $2.4 $5.6

Men's shoes

91 DOP 110 DOP 220 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.5 $1.9 $3.8

Men suit

100 DOP 120 DOP 660 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.7 $2.1 $11

Regular t-shirt

50 DOP 66 DOP 200 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.85 $1.1 $3.4
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Dominican Republic


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

1,700 DOP 2,500 DOP 6,600 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$28 $42 $110

1-bedroom apartment

2,500 DOP 4,000 DOP 10,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$42 $68 $170

2-bedroom apartment

3,300 DOP 5,000 DOP 13,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$56 $85 $230

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

330,000 DOP 500,000 DOP 1,000,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5,600 $8,500 $17,000

1-bedroom apartment

400,000 DOP 660,000 DOP 2.5M DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6,800 $11,000 $42,000

2-bedroom apartment

660,000 DOP 2M DOP 4M DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11,000 $34,000 $68,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Dominican Republic


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

2,000 DOP 2,500 DOP 3,300 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$34 $42 $56

Double Bed

1,300 DOP 2,000 DOP 2,500 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$23 $34 $42

Single Bed

1,200 DOP 1,500 DOP 2,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$20 $26 $34

Living Room

2,200 DOP 2,800 DOP 10,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$38 $48 $170

Dining Table

1,000 DOP 1,300 DOP 2,500 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$17 $23 $42

Sofa or Couch

1,300 DOP 1,800 DOP 4,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$23 $31 $68
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Dominican Republic


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

1,300 DOP 2,000 DOP 4,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$23 $34 $68

Fridge or Freezer

1,200 DOP 1,800 DOP 2,500 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$20 $31 $42

Washing Machine

1,500 DOP 2,200 DOP 4,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$26 $38 $68

Stove or Cooker

1,400 DOP 1,800 DOP 2,500 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24 $31 $42

Mobile Phone

1,700 DOP 2,000 DOP 2,800 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$28 $34 $48

Laptop or Computer

1,800 DOP 2,200 DOP 4,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$31 $38 $68
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Dominican Republic

Family expenditure to income ratio in Dominican Republic

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Dominican Republic

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. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

90%

84% to 100%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in Dominican Republic spend around 90% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 84% of their income while some as high as 100%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in Dominican Republic

How do families spend their money in Dominican Republic?

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


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost26%

26% of total expenses on average (21% to 36%)

LOW$59   3,500 DOP
AVERAGE$170   9,900 DOP
HIGH$1,100   64,000 DOP
Per Month

Families in Dominican Republic typically spend from 21% to 36% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 9,900 DOP with expenditure ranging from 3,500 DOP to 64,000 DOP. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

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

Cost of utilities5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 8%)

LOW$9.2   540 DOP
AVERAGE$26   1,500 DOP
HIGH$170   10,000 DOP
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Dominican Republic ranges from 3% to 8% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 1,500 DOP with 540 DOP and 10,000 DOP being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)

LOW$18   1,100 DOP
AVERAGE$52   3,100 DOP
HIGH$340   20,000 DOP
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 1,100 DOP to 20,000 DOP in a month on commuting with 3,100 DOP being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 7%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost21%

21% of total expenses on average (14% to 27%)

LOW$33   1,900 DOP
AVERAGE$94   5,500 DOP
HIGH$610   36,000 DOP
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Dominican Republic is 5,500 DOP. The cost of groceries can range between 1,900 DOP to 36,000 DOP. Families spend on average about 21% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 14% and 27% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare11%

11% of total expenses on average (7% to 16%)

LOW$17   970 DOP
AVERAGE$52   3,100 DOP
HIGH$270   16,000 DOP
Per Month

Families in Dominican Republic allocate 7% to 16% 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 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 970 DOP to 16,000 DOP with 3,100 DOP being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (1% to 7%)

LOW$9.2   540 DOP
AVERAGE$26   1,500 DOP
HIGH$170   10,000 DOP
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 540 DOP to 10,000 DOP with 1,500 DOP being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling13%

13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)

LOW$26   1,500 DOP
AVERAGE$73   4,300 DOP
HIGH$480   28,000 DOP
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 13% of the monthly expenditure of families with 6% and 21% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 4,300 DOP per month with 1,500 DOP being the minimum spent amount and 28,000 DOP being the maximum.

Other Expenses16%

16% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)

LOW$15   860 DOP
AVERAGE$42   2,500 DOP
HIGH$270   16,000 DOP
Per Month
Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in Dominican Republic

What percentage of families in Dominican Republic are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
47%
Not Saving
53%

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


Family savings to income ratio in Dominican Republic

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


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

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

9% 16% of income 28%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

3,200 DOP
$54
9,000 DOP
$150
59,000 DOP
$1,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%38%
10% - 20%29%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%6%
40% - 50%5%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 9% to 28% of their monthly income to their savings, with 16% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 9,000 DOP with 3,200 DOP and 59,000 DOP being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in Dominican Republic

Saving Challenges in Dominican Republic

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

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


Reason% People
Low Income5%
High Expenses8%
Debt and Loans14%
Lack of Budgeting Skills11%
Impulsive Spending11%
Financial Emergencies7%
Living the moment6%
Will do it later20%
Inflation13%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability2%

Around 5% of the families 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. 14% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% 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. 11% of families 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. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 20% 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.

Where do families choose to put their savings in Dominican Republic

Typical saving choices for families in Dominican Republic

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds12%
Gold12%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts10%
Cash Savings20%
Real Estate9%
Investment5%
Stocks4%
Bonds5%
Mutual Funds2%
Certificates of Deposit3%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

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

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in Dominican Republic

Affordable living in Dominican Republic

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Dominican Republic?


Yes
47%
No
53%

Around 47% of surveyed families think that living in Dominican Republic is affordable with proper budgeting while 53% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Dominican Republic

Low-cost alternatives in Dominican Republic

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 families 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 families living in Dominican Republic 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 Families

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 families of Dominican Republic whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes46%

No54%


Based on the survey, 54% of the families living in Dominican Republic said that they don't have an emergency fund while 46% said that they do.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in Dominican Republic

Financial Literacy in Dominican Republic

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 Leteracy42%


We asked family guardians and parents in Dominican Republic whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 58% 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 42% 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 families of Dominican Republic have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 51% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 49% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance51%

Easily manages finances49%

Financial goals and targets of families living in Dominican Republic

Financial goals of families in Dominican Republic

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Dominican Republic, 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.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund8%
Debt Reduction41%
Retirement Savings10%
Education Funding7%
Homeownership18%
Investing7%
Travel or Lifestyle7%
Healthcare Expenses13%
Financial Independence6%

Around 8% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 41% 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. 7% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 7% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 13% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in Dominican Republic

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Dominican Republic


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
29%
Debt Free
71%

According to the survey, 29% of the families in Dominican Republic have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 71% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Dominican Republic

Debt-to-income ratio in Dominican Republic

Debt to income ratio

31%

23% to 40%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

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 31% of a family's monthly income in Dominican Republic goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%17%
40% - 50%14%
30% - 40%16%
20% - 30%11%
10% - 20%13%
0% - 10%26%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Dominican Republic pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 17% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 14% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 16% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 11% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Dominican Republic

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage9%
Auto Loan16%
Student Loan4%
Credit Card29%
Personal Loan42%

9% of debtors in Dominican Republic confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 29% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 16% of people and personal loans rose at 42%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Dominican Republic.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

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 Dominican Republic

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families of Dominican Republic 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.

Frequency% People
Never51%
Once a year24%
Twice a year12%
Three times a year9%
Four times a year4%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Dominican Republic

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Dominican Republic

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Dominican Republic

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

1,700 DOP 2,500 DOP 6,600 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$28 $42 $110

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

2,500 DOP 4,000 DOP 10,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$42 $68 $170

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

3,300 DOP 5,000 DOP 13,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$56 $85 $230

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

4,000 DOP 6,600 DOP 18,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$68 $110 $310

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

8,000 DOP 20,000 DOP 40,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140 $340 $680

Townhouse monthly rent cost

6,600 DOP 10,000 DOP 28,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $170 $480

House monthly rent cost

8,000 DOP 20,000 DOP 40,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140 $340 $680

Villa monthly rent cost

10,000 DOP 25,000 DOP 40,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$170 $420 $680

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Dominican Republic ranges between 1,700 DOP and 6,600 DOP, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 2,500 DOP to 10,000 DOP. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 3,300 DOP and 13,000 DOP per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 4,000 DOP to 18,000 DOP. The average rent of a townhouse in Dominican Republic is around 10,000 DOP while house rental costs can be as high as 20,000 DOP per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 10,000 DOP to 40,000 DOP per month.



Apartment and house prices in Dominican Republic

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

330,000 DOP 500,000 DOP 1,000,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5,600 $8,500 $17,000

1-bedroom apartment price

400,000 DOP 660,000 DOP 2.5M DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6,800 $11,000 $42,000

2-bedroom apartment price

660,000 DOP 2M DOP 4M DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11,000 $34,000 $68,000

3-bedroom apartment price

2.2M DOP 3.3M DOP 10M DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$38,000 $56,000 $170,000

Townhouse price

2.8M DOP 6.6M DOP 25M DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$48,000 $110,000 $420,000

House price

3.3M DOP 20M DOP 28M DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$56,000 $340,000 $480,000

Villa price

4M DOP 22M DOP 33M DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$68,000 $380,000 $560,000

The average price of a studio apartment in Dominican Republic can range from 330,000 DOP to 1,000,000 DOP depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 400,000 DOP to 2.5M DOP. A villa can cost you 22M DOP on average with prices ranging from 4M DOP to 33M DOP.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Dominican Republic will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


32 x91 monthly income 195
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Dominican Republic can be x91 to x195 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x91 multiples of the average monthly salary in Dominican Republic.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


19% 29% of income 39%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Dominican Republic is around 29%. This means that people pay 29% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 39% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

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.

Housing Affordability Index
27%

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.


FROM
1.9%
AVERAGE
2.9%
TO
3.9%

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.


31 DOP 400 DOP 4,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

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 Dominican Republic

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Dominican Republic

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

540 DOP 1,500 DOP 10,000 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.2 $26 $170

Internet and cable cost

100 DOP 200 DOP 270 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.7 $3.4 $4.5

Mobile phone bill and charges

80 DOP 130 DOP 400 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.4 $2.3 $6.8

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 1,500 DOP. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 100 DOP to 270 DOP with 200 DOP being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 130 DOP but can range between 80 DOP and 400 DOP depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


3% 6% of income 10%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Dominican Republic is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Dominican Republic

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Dominican Republic

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

Fast food combo meal price

20 DOP 40 DOP 66 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.34 $0.68 $1.1

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Dominican Republic is approximatly 40 DOP with meal cost ranging from 20 DOP to 66 DOP. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

66 DOP 100 DOP 200 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.1 $1.7 $3.4

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 66 DOP and 200 DOP with 100 DOP being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Dominican Republic.

Fine dining meal for one price

130 DOP 200 DOP 800 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.4 $14

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 130 DOP to 800 DOP with the average cost being 200 DOP for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Dominican Republic.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

17 DOP 27 DOP 40 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.28 $0.45 $0.68

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Dominican Republic is around 27 DOP. Price ranges between 17 DOP and 40 DOP depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

13 DOP 16 DOP 20 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.23 $0.27 $0.34

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Dominican Republic is 16 DOP. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 20 DOP and the minimum being 13 DOP depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

10 DOP 13 DOP 20 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.17 $0.23 $0.34

A dozen eggs costs around 13 DOP on average with 10 DOP and 20 DOP being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

23 DOP 29 DOP 42 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.39 $0.50 $0.71

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Dominican Republic is between 23 DOP and 42 DOP depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 29 DOP.

Pack of beef price

27 DOP 40 DOP 80 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.45 $0.68 $1.4

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 40 DOP. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

11 DOP 15 DOP 21 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.18 $0.25 $0.35

A bag of rice in Dominican Republic costs around 15 DOP on average with prices rangeing between 11 DOP and 21 DOP depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

4 DOP 5.3 DOP 10 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.07 $0.09 $0.17

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 4 DOP to 10 DOP. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

7.1 DOP 9.3 DOP 15 DOP
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.12 $0.16 $0.26

A bag of apples costs 9.3 DOP on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


19% 27% of income 33%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Dominican Republic is around 27%. This means that families 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 families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 1,900 DOP to 36,000 DOP with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

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