Cost of Living in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Updated On May 10, 2022

How Much Does It Cost to Live In Santo Domingo?

Santo Domingo is a cozy financial and industrial center of the Dominican Republic.

It has also been one of the main industrial cities in the area.

Santo Domingo produces fridges, cement, and plastics.

Still, Santo Domingo is one of the most attractive travel destinations among tourists.

And they grow it’s economy greatly.

Santo Domingo invites you to the music conservatory, the museum, the libraries, and the oldest university in the Western part of the world.

This is a colonial city, first of all, so it has inherited prices cultural monuments.

Cost of Living Index:
45.88
* Based on Research & User Data

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Cost of Living in Dominican Republic
Restaurants

RESTAURANTS

Santo Domingo presents some upscale and mid-range restaurants on a silver platter.

You can choose the destination according to your tastes, likes, and budget.

It has to offer some Italian, French, Spanish, International cuisine dishes in stand-alone cafes as well as within the hotels.

Markets

MARKETS

Looking for a range of extremely fresh fruits, vegetables, fish?

Visit some of the most popular and cheap Santo Domingo markets.

There are also flea markets, linen markets, Asian food markets, and of course lots of beer markets where you can try domestic ($1.98) and imported beer ($2.97).

Wine is also expensive here, an average of $10.90 per bottle.

Transportation

TRANSPORTATION

The dominating means of transport in Santo Domingo are taxis, buses, vans to share with your peers or you can choose to rent a car and enjoy the entire stay on your own.

The prices for new cars in Santo Domingo do not differ much from the Europen ones.

Volkswagen Golf and Toyota Corolla cost $25.762 and $24.980 respectively.

Gasoline is $4.51 per gallon.

Utilities

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

Santo Domingo has a weak water supply system which affects greatly the electricity bills of the local people.

That’s why the main utility item in Santo Domingo is power, not water.

They pay here as much as $188.21 for the comforts which in fact is as much as the minimum wage of many citizens there.

Sports and leisure

SPORTS & LEISURE

The most popular sports in the Dominican Republic, and in Santo Domingo, in particular, is baseball.

Then there follows the horse racing, golf, and sportfishing.

Also, local women and men enjoy cinema in one of the big cinema centers out there, which costs only $5.95 per seat at the international release.

Clothing and shoes

CLOTHING & SHOES

The prices for the summer outfits as well as for the regular jeans are almost equal.

Namely, a pair of Levis 501 jeans are sold in the shops for $54.28 on the average and H&M dresses for girls are worthy $52.72 per item.

If you want to buy a pair of business leather shoes, prepare around $94.56.

Rent per month

RENT PER MONTH

Santo Domingo landlords give their houses, apartments and separate rooms for rent.

This is a logical decision if you want to come to work here in a quiet atmosphere or take pleasure in having a rest from work with your family.

Three bedrooms outside the city center cost $404.28 while the same area in the downtown is $868.72.

Cost of Living Averages Table for Santo Domingo

*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.
Average Restaurant Prices
Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant)$6.94
Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter)$1.98
Water (0.33 Liter)$0.42
Average Market Prices
Milk (1 Liter)$4.56
Loaf Bread (500g)$1.14
Eggs (12)$1.90
Average Transport Prices
One Way Ticket$0.50
Monthly Pass$29.73
Gasoline$4.51
Average Utilities Prices
Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling)$58.26
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local$0.19
Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)$57.36
Average Leisure Prices
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult$29.69
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour)$14.97
Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release$5.95
Average Clothing Prices
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable)$54.28
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...)$52.72
1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range)$88.05
Average Rent Prices
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center$392.86
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center$201.67
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center$868.72

How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Santo Domingo?

In 2019, the citizens and guests of Santo Domingo spend a bigger part of their income on markets and monthly rent.

Less money is the transportation and restaurants expenses.

Only 4.3% of a monthly wage is given to clothes and shoes.

Sports and leisure appear to be more important to the Santo Domingo locals.

They are ready to give 6.3% of their income for cinemas, fitness, and tennis.

Basic utilities like garbage collection, water supply, electricity and conditioning of an 80 sqm flat are covered with 7.4% of a family budget.

Average Costs Breakdown

14.7%
31.4%
15.7%
7.4%
6.3%
4.3%
19.8%

Santo Domingo: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages

The entire city of Santo Domingo has been a UNESCO heritage with its genuine history, architecture, nature, and people.

The metallurgic industry is one of the most economically important here, yet the city keeps gaining popularity among tourists and explorers.

They bring the economy of the city as well as the entire country to the new level.

Average monthly salary after tax makes as much as $371.58 per person at the minimum wage of $170.9.

The mortgage interest rate remains extremely high or 13.66% yearly fixed-rate.

Average Salary$371.58
Minimum Wage$170.9
Mortgage Interest Rate13.66%

Santo Domingo Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Santo Domingo Safety Review

Safety Index:
31
  • OVERALL RISK: HIGH
  • TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
  • PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
  • NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
  • MUGGING RISK: HIGH
  • TERRORISM RISK: LOW
  • SCAMS RISK: HIGH
  • WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH

Where to Next?

See these related locations:

Or, browse the country/city indexes:

Cost of Living - Country Index Cost of Living - City Index

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