Cost Of Living For a Student in Santo Domingo 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: DOP
Average monthly spending for students in Santo Domingo
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Santo Domingo?
Students in Santo Domingo spend around 11,000 DOP per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 1,700 DOP or as high as 74,000 DOP. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Santo Domingo
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 49,000 DOP | 98,000 DOP | 130,000 DOP |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 1,800 DOP | 2,700 DOP | 7,200 DOP |
1-bedroom apartment
| 2,700 DOP | 4,300 DOP | 11,000 DOP |
2-bedroom apartment
| 3,600 DOP | 5,400 DOP | 14,000 DOP |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 360,000 DOP | 540,000 DOP | 1.1M DOP |
1-bedroom apartment
| 430,000 DOP | 720,000 DOP | 2.7M DOP |
2-bedroom apartment
| 720,000 DOP | 2.2M DOP | 4.3M DOP |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 2,000 DOP | 2,500 DOP | 3,300 DOP |
Double Bed
| 1,300 DOP | 2,000 DOP | 2,500 DOP |
Single Bed
| 1,200 DOP | 1,500 DOP | 2,000 DOP |
Living Room
| 2,200 DOP | 2,800 DOP | 9,800 DOP |
Dining Table
| 980 DOP | 1,300 DOP | 2,500 DOP |
Sofa or Couch
| 1,300 DOP | 1,800 DOP | 3,900 DOP |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 1,300 DOP | 2,000 DOP | 3,900 DOP |
Fridge or Freezer
| 1,200 DOP | 1,800 DOP | 2,500 DOP |
Washing Machine
| 1,500 DOP | 2,200 DOP | 3,900 DOP |
Stove or Cooker
| 1,400 DOP | 1,800 DOP | 2,500 DOP |
Mobile Phone
| 1,600 DOP | 2,000 DOP | 2,800 DOP |
Laptop or Computer
| 1,800 DOP | 2,200 DOP | 3,900 DOP |
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.
How do students spend their money in Santo Domingo?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost16%
16% of total expenses on average (11% to 22%)
| LOW | $6.8 400 DOP |
| AVERAGE | $46 2,700 DOP |
| HIGH | $300 18,000 DOP |
| Per Month |
Students in Santo Domingo typically spend from 11% to 22% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 16% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 2,700 DOP with expenditure ranging from 400 DOP to 18,000 DOP. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $1.1 67 DOP |
| AVERAGE | $7.6 450 DOP |
| HIGH | $51 3,000 DOP |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Santo Domingo ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 450 DOP with 67 DOP and 3,000 DOP being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel3%
3% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)
| LOW | $2 120 DOP |
| AVERAGE | $13 780 DOP |
| HIGH | $89 5,200 DOP |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 120 DOP to 5,200 DOP in a month on commuting with 780 DOP being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 3% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 9%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost24%
24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)
| LOW | $5.7 330 DOP |
| AVERAGE | $38 2,200 DOP |
| HIGH | $250 15,000 DOP |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Santo Domingo is 2,200 DOP. The cost of groceries can range between 330 DOP to 15,000 DOP. Students spend on average about 24% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 28% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)
| LOW | $1.7 100 DOP |
| AVERAGE | $11 670 DOP |
| HIGH | $76 4,500 DOP |
| Per Month |
Students in Santo Domingo allocate 7% to 13% 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 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 100 DOP to 4,500 DOP with 670 DOP being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $1.4 84 DOP |
| AVERAGE | $9.5 560 DOP |
| HIGH | $63 3,700 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 84 DOP to 3,700 DOP with 560 DOP being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $5.4 320 DOP |
| AVERAGE | $36 2,100 DOP |
| HIGH | $240 14,000 DOP |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 2,100 DOP per month with 320 DOP being the minimum spent amount and 14,000 DOP being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $4.3 250 DOP |
| AVERAGE | $28 1,700 DOP |
| HIGH | $190 11,000 DOP |
| Per Month |
Affordable living in Santo Domingo
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Santo Domingo?
Around 51% of surveyed students think that living in Santo Domingo is affordable with proper budgeting while 49% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Santo Domingo
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 students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options60%
Few low-cost options40%
Based on the survey, 60% of the students living in Santo Domingo have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 40% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
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 students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes50%
No50%
Based on the survey, 50% of the students living in Santo Domingo said that they don't have an emergency fund while 50% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in
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 student guardians and parents in Santo Domingo 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 students of 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%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Santo Domingo
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Santo Domingo
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,800 DOP | 2,700 DOP | 7,200 DOP |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,700 DOP | 4,300 DOP | 11,000 DOP |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,600 DOP | 5,400 DOP | 14,000 DOP |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 4,300 DOP | 7,200 DOP | 20,000 DOP |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 8,700 DOP | 22,000 DOP | 43,000 DOP |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 7,200 DOP | 11,000 DOP | 31,000 DOP |
House monthly rent cost
| 8,700 DOP | 22,000 DOP | 43,000 DOP |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 11,000 DOP | 27,000 DOP | 43,000 DOP |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Santo Domingo ranges between 1,800 DOP and 7,200 DOP, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 2,700 DOP to 11,000 DOP. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 3,600 DOP and 14,000 DOP per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 4,300 DOP to 20,000 DOP. The average rent of a townhouse in Santo Domingo is around 11,000 DOP while house rental costs can be as high as 22,000 DOP per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 11,000 DOP to 43,000 DOP per month.
Apartment and house prices in Santo Domingo
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 360,000 DOP | 540,000 DOP | 1.1M DOP |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 430,000 DOP | 720,000 DOP | 2.7M DOP |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 720,000 DOP | 2.2M DOP | 4.3M DOP |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 2.4M DOP | 3.6M DOP | 11M DOP |
Townhouse price
| 3.1M DOP | 7.2M DOP | 27M DOP |
| $53,000 | $120,000 | $460,000 |
House price
| $61,000 | $370,000 | $530,000 |
Villa price
| $74,000 | $410,000 | $610,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Santo Domingo can range from 360,000 DOP to 1.1M DOP depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 430,000 DOP to 2.7M DOP. A villa can cost you 24M DOP on average with prices ranging from 4.3M DOP to 36M DOP.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Santo Domingo 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
| 35 | x99 monthly income | 212 |
Property prices in Santo Domingo can be x99 to x212 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x99 multiples of the average monthly salary in Santo Domingo.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Santo Domingo is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 42% 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
29% 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 Santo Domingo
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Santo Domingo
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
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 students is around 450 DOP. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 98 DOP to 260 DOP with 200 DOP being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 130 DOP but can range between 79 DOP and 390 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
The average utility-to-income ratio in Santo Domingo is around 6.5%. This means that people pay 6.5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.3% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Santo Domingo
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Santo Domingo
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Santo Domingo is approximatly 39 DOP with meal cost ranging from 20 DOP to 65 DOP. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 69 DOP and 210 DOP with 100 DOP being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Santo Domingo.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 140 DOP to 830 DOP with the average cost being 210 DOP for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Santo Domingo.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Santo Domingo is around 26 DOP. Price ranges between 16 DOP and 39 DOP depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Santo Domingo 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
A dozen eggs costs around 13 DOP on average with 9.8 DOP and 20 DOP being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Santo Domingo is between 22 DOP and 41 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
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 39 DOP. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Santo Domingo costs around 14 DOP on average with prices rangeing between 11 DOP and 20 DOP depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 3.9 DOP to 9.8 DOP. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 9.2 DOP on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 330 DOP to 15,000 DOP with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
