Dominican Republic vs Barbados
Dominican Republic costs roughly 2x less than Barbados, though Barbados scores higher on both safety and healthcare. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Barbados is approximately 2x 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 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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About Barbados
Budget retirees should skip this one: COL sits at 70 versus NYC, with rent near $883/mo for a 1BR, undercutting any cheap-living pitch. It works for remote workers earning USD 4,167+/mo under the Welcome Stamp/Global Talent Welcome Stamp who want English-speaking, low-crime stability with clear citizenship pathways, not for those chasing rock-bottom costs.
$787/mo
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Dominican Republic | Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 116.3 | 130.5 +14.2 |
| Healthcare Index | 44.6 | 59.8 +15.2 |
| Safety Index | 38.6 | 54.3 +15.7 |
| Cost of Living Index | 34.3 +35.7 | 70 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $653.7 +676.3 | $1,330 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,350.8 +149.2 | $2,500 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $706 +177.33 | $883.33 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $340.91 +416.23 | $757.14 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,452.8 +380.53 | $1,833.33 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $632.96 +1,192.04 | $1,825 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 108.27 Mbps +58.3 | 49.99 Mbps |
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