Moving to Dominican Republic from Puerto Rico
What to Expect
Considering a move from Puerto Rico to Dominican Republic? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Puerto Rico to Dominican Republic, you would find that Dominican Republic is 29.4% cheaper than Puerto Rico overall. A $75,000 salary in Puerto Rico would need to be roughly DOP2,811,446 in Dominican Republic to maintain the same lifestyle.
Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓How Far Will Your Money Go?
A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic.
What does your salary buy?
$75,000 → DOP2,811,446
To maintain the same standard of living in Dominican Republic
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 45.6% less
Groceries
pay 46.2% less
Transportation
pay 29.4% more
Housing
pay 51.5% less
Childcare
pay 50.8% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 35.2% less
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
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Who Else Is Making This Move?
What the data shows about people moving from Puerto Rico to Dominican Republic.
people born in Puerto Rico live in Dominican Republic · UN DESA
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Dominican Republic compared to Puerto Rico.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
Puerto Rico generally does better on safety, though Dominican Republic leads in homicide rate.
What about the environment?
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Dominican Republic performs significantly better than Puerto Rico across all environment metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
higher means greater strain on freshwater supply
share of households with internet
Puerto Rico generally does better on infrastructure, though Dominican Republic leads in internet access.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
the highest marginal rate on personal income
Dominican Republic generally does better on employment & economy, though Puerto Rico leads in gdp per capita.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
percentage of adults who can read and write
Puerto Rico generally does better on family life, though Dominican Republic leads in education spending.
Data: Puerto Rican Department of Treasury, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. To live, work, or study long-term in Dominican Republic, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Dominican Republic's immigration authority.
Dominican Republic passport holder visiting Puerto Rico
Visa RequiredData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Dominican Republic than Puerto Rico?
On average Dominican Republic is about 36% less expensive than Puerto Rico, with major cities narrowing the gap.
How much money do I need to move to Dominican Republic?
Budget about DOP702,862 for 3 months in Dominican Republic (based on a $75,000 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Dominican Republic?
Connectivity is usually fine (Dominican Republic: 10.7 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Dominican Republic offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Dominican Republic safe for expats?
Puerto Rico generally does better on safety, though Dominican Republic leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Dominican Republic is 12.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 14.2 in Puerto Rico.
What language do they speak in Dominican Republic?
The official language in Dominican Republic is Spanish. In Puerto Rico, the official languages are English and Spanish.
