Cuba vs Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic costs roughly 19% less than Cuba, though Cuba scores higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Dominican Republic is approximately 19% less expensive than Cuba based on cost of living including rent. This makes Dominican Republic a more expensive option for expats considering a move.
Cuba has a FIRE Score of 98/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 62.4, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Cuba is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Cuba
Rock-bottom rent near $340/mo suits only the most adventurous, cash-flexible budget retiree willing to trade legal certainty for savings, since no retirement or digital nomad visa exists and a pathway to residency is difficult. Low crime numbers get undercut by weak healthcare (39.8) and limited English-speaking doctors. Bad fit: anyone needing formal residency, reliable internet, or care for chronic health conditions.
$2,000/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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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Cuba | Dominican Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 88.3 | 116.3 +28.0 |
| Healthcare Index | 39.8 | 44.6 +4.8 |
| Safety Index | 62.4 +23.8 | 38.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 40.8 | 34.3 +6.5 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $662.9 | $653.7 +9.2 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,307.8 +43 | $2,350.8 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $337.42 +368.58 | $706 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $486.35 | $340.91 +145.44 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $879.17 +573.63 | $1,452.8 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $620.07 +12.89 | $632.96 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 23.48 Mbps | 108.27 Mbps +84.8 |
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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