Are you longing for a life in the tropics? Are you tired of spending long winters in the cold, dreary North American climate? Get a fresh start by moving to the Dominican Republic! In the DR, you get to enjoy the warm sun, sandy beaches, a vibrant culture, and a much lower cost of living than in the States. That’s right, you get your paradise at half-price!

Still on the fence? Below, we’ll break down how much it costs to live in the Dominican Republic and the United States in 2025 by category. Keep reading!

Cost of Living: Dominican Republic Vs United States

Can’t believe the cost of living in the DR vs US is that different? The facts speak for themselves! Read below for some amazing cost-of-living comparisons (For this blog, we’ll focus on the income of a single adult in USD):

Overall Monthly Expenses

The Cost of living in the United States is 93.9% higher than in the Dominican Republic, not including rent. To live comfortably, a single person would need to make around $800- $1,200 per month. In contrast, the average living costs per month in the United States average $2,500 to $3,500.

Housing Expenses 

In the Dominican Republic, the average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment is $437 USD in the city and $235.67 outside of the city.

In contrast, the average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in the US is $1,740 USD in the city and $1,436.02 outside of the city. That’s well over double the cost in the DR!

Food and Groceries

The Dominican Republic offers significantly cheaper fresh produce. For example, 1 kg of tomatoes average $1.44 USD in the DR, while the same amount averages $4.90 USD. Other foods like oranges, potatoes, onions, and beef can also be found at around half the US price of the same items.

Pre-packaged food and drink items like processed foods and imported beer can be a bit more expensive in the DR than in the States, but if you want fresh, healthy food, you can get an abundance at a low cost!

Transportation

If you’re a professional pedestrian, transportation costs in the DR are perfect for you! While the cost of gas can be a bit more pricey in the DR (about -23.9% higher), transit prices are very reasonable.

A one-way transit ticket totals $0.64 USD in the DR and $2.50 in the US. A monthly transit pass would equate to $34.35 USD in the DR, while in the US, it averages $65.00 USD.

Utilities and Internet

Utility costs in the DR are much lower because houses don’t need to rely on heating in the winter. While the US averages $207 per month for electricity, heating, cooling, and other utilities, the DR averages $58.27 for the whole shebang!

Entertainment, Dining, & Recreation

If you’re not much for partying, you will be once you’re in the DR! Dining out and hitting the town can be really expensive in the States, but in the Dominican Republic, you can enjoy nights out regularly without too much expense!

Meals at inexpensive restaurants range from $6.41-$6.45 per plate, and even the more upscale restaurants average $34-$48 per person.

Cover charges in bars and clubs can be as low as $3 USD, while beer and other alcoholic beverages can range from $1 to $12 USD.

The Casa Linda Difference

In addition to the low cost of living, the amenities at Casa Linda’s closed community make moving to the DR that much more affordable! Residents of our closed community get access to resort-level amenities without needing to hire external workers or services.

You’ll receive top-level pool maintenance, landscaping and gardening services, housekeeping, and 24/7 security monitoring. Our villa management service ensures your villa is properly monitored when you’re away. Whether you’re gone for a few days or months at a time, we’ll ensure your property remains free of trespassers and vandals.

At Casa Linda, you get to experience living in luxury at a quarter of the cost in the United States while enjoying the beautiful setting of our slice of paradise—talk about living the good life!

Move to the DR with a Luxury Casa Linda Villa!

Are you ready to take the next step toward your new low cost of living? Spend less on property taxes and home maintenance by purchasing a villa from Casa Linda!

Visit our Floor Plans page to learn more about our housing options.