You’ll need roughly $550 monthly for basic living costs in Haiti, though actual expenses vary widely by location and lifestyle. City-center rents and internet can push budgets much higher, while outskirts and shared housing cut housing costs. Average net wages ($250–$335) cover only about 0.7 months of those basic expenses, so affordability is a major issue. High inflation and food price spikes add risk, and the next section explains specific costs and planning tips.

Cost of Living Snapshot: Key Numbers for 2025

In 2025, you’ll find Haiti’s cost of living sharply below global norms: a single person’s basic monthly expenses average about $550, roughly half the global average (2.08 times less expensive).

In 2025, Haiti’s basic monthly living costs average about $550—roughly half the global norm.

You’ll note that Haiti cost of living centers on low everyday expenses but strained purchasing power. With average net monthly wages of $250–335, most residents cover only about 0.7 months of those costs, highlighting a substantial income gap.

Transport is inexpensive—single fares run $0.20–$0.50 and a monthly pass is about $20—so mobility doesn’t drive budgets up.

Food shows wide variance: local meals cost roughly $3–$4, while staples like rice range $1–$3.50/kg, affecting household spending patterns.

Rent is comparatively high against incomes: city-center one-bedrooms sit near $900/month and peripheral units $800–$890, making housing a major outlier versus the otherwise low Haiti cost of living profile.

Housing and Rent: What to Expect by City

When you compare city center and outskirts rents, expect a 1-bedroom in the center to be about $900/month versus $800–$890 outside the center.

Apartment size also shifts costs: utilities for an 85 m² unit add roughly $80–$100/month and internet (60 Mbps) commonly costs $110–$165/month.

City Center Vs Outskirts

Although city-center rents tend to be higher, the gap in Haiti can be modest: a 1-bedroom in the center averages about $900/month versus $800–$890 outside, while a 3-bedroom in the center may cost roughly $500/month.

Utilities for an 85 m² unit add $80–$100 monthly; factor in internet at $110–$165 (sometimes over $300) to compare total housing-related expenses.

You’ll find that Living, Haiti choices hinge on trade-offs between convenience and marginal cost. If you’re weighing Best Places to Live and Living in Haiti, consider an apartment in the city for access to services; outskirts often lower rent but may raise transport and time costs.

Help us summarize typical scenarios:

• City center: higher access, slightly higher rent, faster internet.
• Outskirts: lower rent range, higher commuting costs.
• Net monthly comparison: include utilities and internet.

Apartment Size and Cost

You’ll notice rent differences shift again once you compare unit sizes: a city-center one-bedroom runs about $900/month versus $800–$890 outside, while a rare budget one-bedroom can dip to roughly $156; surprisingly, a three-bedroom in the center averages near $500/month, making larger shared units sometimes cheaper per person.

You’ll weigh per-person rent against total cost: a three-bedroom’s lower per-capita charge can offset higher communal bills.

Expect utilities for an 85 m² unit to add $80–$100 monthly, which raises effective housing cost regardless of size.

Internet plans (60 Mbps unlimited) introduce variability — typically $110–$165, though some rates exceed $300 — so factor connection choices into comparisons when deciding between one-, two-, or three-bedroom options.

Food, Groceries and Dining Out Costs

Because food prices in Haiti vary widely depending on whether you eat local or imported goods, your daily food budget can swing from very low to surprisingly high: cheap local meals run about $3–4 each while a mid-range dinner for two can be $20–90, a McMeal is roughly $11–12, and monthly food costs for one person (excluding rent) are estimated between $928 and $1,527, reflecting sharp recent food inflation that has sometimes exceeded 70%; rice typically costs $1–3.50/kg and chicken $3.80–15/kg, illustrating how staple prices and dining choices drive overall living cost differences.

Food costs in Haiti vary widely: local meals are cheap, imports and dining out raise monthly expenses dramatically.

Dining Trends show you can minimize expenses by favoring local markets and dishes. Imported items and restaurant dining push costs up. Compare options and adjust habits based on price volatility and availability.

Key considerations:

• Local vs imported staples: rice and chicken prices determine baseline grocery spend.
• Eating out frequency: fast-food and mid-range meals quickly raise monthly totals.
• Inflation risk: sudden spikes can alter budgets; build flexibility into your plan.

Transportation, Utilities and Internet Prices

Several measurable factors determine your monthly transport and utility outlays in Haiti:

Public Transport fares run $0.20–$0.50 per ride, with a monthly pass near $20, so frequent riders can control costs versus per-ride payments.

Gasoline is relatively inexpensive at $0.50–$1.30 per liter, which lowers vehicle operating expenses compared with many countries, though consumption still depends on distance and vehicle efficiency.

Taxi services start around $0.38 plus $0.40–$0.62 per kilometer, making occasional taxi use affordable but cumulative for longer trips.

Utility bills for a single person average about $39.80 monthly for essential services; that figure lets you benchmark electricity, water and waste against your housing choice.

Internet with 50 Mbps+ commonly costs about $26.60 per month, offering budget-friendly connectivity relative to regional averages.

Combine these data points to estimate your monthly outlay: choose Public Transport, fuel, taxi frequency, utility consumption and internet speed to model realistic cost scenarios.

Income, Affordability and Local Purchasing Power

You’ll see that average net monthly wages in Haiti — roughly $250–$335 — cover only about 0.7 months of typical expenses, while a single person’s monthly cost is around $500–$550.

About 80% of the population lives below the poverty line and roughly 75% survive on under $2.50 per day, producing stark purchasing power disparities despite Haiti’s cost of living being about 1.9 times cheaper than the global average.

These figures show how low incomes, high inflation and food insecurity combine to make basic affordability a persistent challenge for most residents.

Average Wages vs. Expenses

On a typical month, Haitians earn between $250 and $335 net, which covers only about 0.7 months of the estimated $550 needed to meet basic living costs, highlighting a stark gap between income and expenses.

You’ll see clear wage disparity: average wages are low even though Haiti’s cost of living is about 1.9 times cheaper than the global average. That relative cheapness doesn’t offset widespread poverty, inflation, or food-price shocks.

• About 75% survive on under $2.50 per day, so monthly income rarely covers essentials.
• Roughly 80% live below the poverty line, exposing households to frequent trade-offs.
• Recent food inflation exceeding 70% in some areas worsens affordability and fiscal stress.

These figures show structural mismatch between earnings and basic needs.

Purchasing Power Disparities

The gap between wages and basic expenses raises a sharper question about what those incomes actually buy: purchasing power. You’d see that average net monthly salaries of $250–$335 cover only about 0.7 months of typical individual expenses, signaling acute affordability limits.

Although Haiti’s cost of living is roughly 1.9 times cheaper than the global average, local incomes remain insufficient: roughly 75% survive on under $2.50 daily and about 80% live below the poverty line. High inflation and food insecurity further erode real incomes, so nominal earnings buy progressively less.

Compared with regional peers, Haiti displays pronounced Economic Inequality—wages, price pressures, and limited social safety nets combine to reduce everyday purchasing power.

Risks, Inflation and Practical Tips for Newcomers

Because inflation has pushed food prices up over 70% in recent years and about 80% of Haitians live below the poverty line, you’ll need a precise budget and backup income plans before relocating; compare local costs like $0.20–$0.50 bus fares and $80–$100 monthly utilities for an 85 m² apartment against an average net salary of $250–$335 to understand affordability gaps and safety-related transport trade-offs.

Economic Challenges are central: rising prices and limited wages compress purchasing power and raise risk exposure for newcomers. Assess volatility, plan savings in a stable currency, and secure remote or local income that exceeds median wages.

Prioritize safer transit options when costs allow and factor in occasional higher expenses for security. Consider insurance and contingency funds equal to several months’ expenses.

Practical steps include local cost comparisons, income diversification, and realistic spending caps.

• Verify transport safety and costs.
• Budget for utilities and food inflation.
• Arrange emergency funds and income backups.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Is a Gallon of Milk in Haiti?

A gallon of milk in Haiti costs about $4.76 on average. You’ll see milk prices vary by store and region; bulk buys can lower per‑gallon cost slightly, and it’s generally pricier than U.S. averages.

What Is the Average Income in Haiti?

About $250–$335 per month; you’ll note Income Disparities are stark — 80% live below the poverty line. You’ll compare this low average to regional norms and see how limited purchasing power remains.

Can an American Live in Haiti?

Yes — you can live in Haiti, but you’ll need to budget carefully: rents near $900/month, low transport costs, and cultural adaptation is essential; compared to U.S. norms, local wages are far lower, increasing financial strain.

Is Haiti a Good Place to Live?

You’re unlikely to find a high Quality of Life in Haiti by global standards; data show severe poverty, food insecurity, and low wages, so compared to many countries, living conditions and services are substantially worse for most residents.

Conclusion

In 2025, you’ll find living in Haiti considerably cheaper than many countries—median rent is a fraction of U.S. or European costs, but incomes and purchasing power are also far lower. Expect low nominal prices for food and transport, yet high relative cost for imported goods, utilities and internet. Inflation and safety risks can quickly erode savings, so budget conservatively. Like walking a tightrope, you’ll balance low living costs against economic instability and limited local wages.