Dominican Republic🇩🇴

At a Glance

How Dominican Republic compares across key indices

Quality of Life97Safety40Healthcare58Affordability40Climate73Clean Air77

Cost of Living

40 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

40/100

Healthcare

58/100

Quality of Life

97/200

Climate

73/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Dominican Republic

Cost of Living

40

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

14

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

40

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

38

100 = NYC dining

City Costs Comparison

Santo Domingo

Cheapest

$1,503/mo

Food$129

Safety & Crime

Moderate Risk

How safe residents feel in Dominican Republic — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

40/100

Crime Index

60/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

71/100

Crime perceived as increasing

Walking Safety

Daytime57
Nighttime28

29 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Corruption & bribery
Very High81
Violent crimes
High69
Property crimes
High65
Drug-related crime
Moderate60

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Being mugged or robbed
High65
Things stolen from car
High61
Home broken into
Moderate56
Being physically attacked
Moderate52
Car stolen
Moderate49
Being insulted or harassed
Low40
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low24

Based on 404 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic has 1 city with Numbeo data. Santo Domingo has the lowest estimated monthly cost at $1,503. Santo Domingo leads on safety, scoring 33/100. Santo Domingo ranks highest for quality of life at 91/200.

💸Most Affordable

Santo Domingo

$1,503/mo

Safest

Santo Domingo

33/100

Best Quality of Life

Santo Domingo

91/200

Best Healthcare

Santo Domingo

55/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Santo Domingo$1,50333/10091/20055/10079

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Dominican Republic

Healthcare Index

58/100

Quality Breakdown

Speed of Service64/100
Staff Skill & Competency63/100
Friendliness & Courtesy60/100
Modern Equipment57/100
Accuracy & Completeness56/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist47/100
Cost Satisfaction54/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 66 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Private
39.4%
Employer Sponsored
28.8%
None
21.2%
Public
10.6%
Healthcare58Safety40Quality of Life97
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Environment

Polluted

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Dominican Republic

Pollution Index

77/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Green Spaces & Parks49/100
Drinking Water Quality42/100
Comfortable to Spend Time37/100
Air Quality30/100
Clean & Tidy29/100
Garbage Disposal28/100

Concerns

Water Pollution67/100
Noise & Light Pollution63/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 167 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Dominican Republic

Average One-Way Commute

39minutes

Average

Traffic Index

172

Moderate congestion

Inefficiency

171

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

7.0kg/trip

How People Commute

Car59.5%
Working from Home21.6%
Walking8.1%
Train/Metro5.4%
Bus/Trolleybus5.4%

Based on 37 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Dominican Republic, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Dominican Republic?

Dominican Republic has a cost of living index of 40 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,503 in Santo Domingo.

Is Dominican Republic safe for expats?

Dominican Republic has a safety index of 40/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Santo Domingo scores highest on safety at 33/100.

What is the best city in Dominican Republic for expats and digital nomads?

Santo Domingo ranks highest for quality of life in Dominican Republic, scoring 91/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,503/mo for a single person.

How good is healthcare in Dominican Republic?

Dominican Republic scores 58/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it adequate by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Dominican Republic cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Dominican Republic's cost of living is roughly 60% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 86% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

What is the air quality and pollution like in Dominican Republic?

Dominican Republic has a pollution index of 77/100 (lower = cleaner). Pollution can be a concern in urban areas. Research specific cities before committing, as rural and coastal areas typically fare better.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Dominican Republic

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