Compare countries · Dominican Republic vs Mexico
Dominican Republic vs Mexico
Dominican Republic(North America)·
Mexico(North America)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Dominican Republic leads on 6, Mexico on 4, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Dominican Republic cheaper than Mexico?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Dominican Republic at 38.2 and Mexico at 42.6. Dominican Republic is about 10% cheaper overall.
Is Dominican Republic or Mexico safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Dominican Republic scores 2.04 and Mexico scores 2.65. Dominican Republic ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Dominican Republic or Mexico?
On the UN Human Development Index, Dominican Republic scores 0.776 and Mexico scores 0.789. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Dominican Republic compared to Mexico?
GNI per capita runs $10,620 in Dominican Republic against $13,730 in Mexico; people live 73.9 years on average against 75.3; Numbeo users rate healthcare 58 against 72. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Dominican Republic
38.2
Better than 60% of countries
Mexico
42.6
Around the global middle
Dominican Republic: 10% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Dominican Republic
14.0
Around the global middle
Mexico
17.8
Worse than 64% of countries
Dominican Republic: 21% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Dominican Republic
2.04
Around the global middle
Mexico
2.65
Worse than 85% of countries
Dominican Republic: more peaceful (2.04 vs 2.65).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Dominican Republic
40.0
Worse than 80% of countries
Mexico
47.1
Worse than 72% of countries
Mexico: higher perceived safety (47.1 vs 40.0).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Dominican Republic
0.776
Around the global middle
Mexico
0.789
Better than 58% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Dominican Republic
$28,721
Better than 61% of countries
Mexico
$25,868
Better than 57% of countries
Dominican Republic: 11% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Dominican Republic
73.9 yrs
Around the global middle
Mexico
75.3 yrs
Better than 55% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Dominican Republic
58.4
Worse than 66% of countries
Mexico
72.3
Better than 78% of countries
Mexico: better-rated healthcare (72.3 vs 58.4).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Dominican Republic
73 Mbps
Worse than 62% of countries
Mexico
94 Mbps
Around the global middle
Mexico: 29% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Dominican Republic
70/100
Better than 75% of countries
Mexico
45/100
Worse than 68% of countries
Dominican Republic: freer press (70 vs 45 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Dominican Republic
6.09
Better than 56% of countries
Mexico
6.97
Better than 92% of countries
Mexico: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.97 vs 6.09).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Dominican Republic
503
Worse than 55% of countries
Mexico
440
Worse than 85% of countries
Dominican Republic: stronger English proficiency (503 vs 440).
Not comparable for this pair
- Climate pleasantness: Numbeo doesn't publish a climate index for one of these countries.
Deciding between Dominican Republic and Mexico for real?
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Find your match →Full Dominican Republic profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Mexico profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.