Bahamas vs Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic costs roughly 2.5x less than Bahamas, though Bahamas scores higher on healthcare. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Bahamas is approximately 2.5x more expensive than Dominican Republic based on cost of living including rent. This makes Dominican Republic a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Dominican Republic has a FIRE Score of 80/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 38.6, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Dominican Republic is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Bahamas
Best for retirees via the Permanent Residence pathway, anchored by no language requirement and direct flights. Living costs are high—$1,752 monthly plus $1,196 rent—but its Safety Index of 42.6 and medium expat safety rating are solid for the region. Main trade-off: no minimum income requirement and no personal income tax could complicate budgeting.
$-69/mo
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About Dominican Republic
Skip this if safety ranks high on your list: a 38.6 safety index and Level 2 travel advisory make it a poor fit for risk-averse retirees. But with a $1,500/mo retirement visa threshold, living costs from about $654/mo, and a clear residency and citizenship path, it works for budget-conscious retirees who accept the tradeoff.
$1,640/mo
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Bahamas | Dominican Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 133.7 +17.4 | 116.3 |
| Healthcare Index | 58.3 +13.7 | 44.6 |
| Safety Index | 42.6 +4.0 | 38.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85.6 | 34.3 +51.3 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,752 | $653.7 +1,098.3 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $6,387.6 | $2,350.8 +4,036.8 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1,317.5 | $706 +611.5 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,195.56 | $340.91 +854.65 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $3,995.71 | $1,452.8 +2,542.91 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $3,735 | $632.96 +3,102.04 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 0 Mbps | 108.27 Mbps +108.3 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Dominican Republic. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
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Get a quote →Explore Dominican Republic
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