Apartments are still more expensive per square meter, but houses are rising in price faster.
SANTO DOMINGO. – Brenda, the Dominican woman who lives in New York and has been dreaming for yearsof buying a property in her homeland, is now convinced and is weighing up whether to buy a modern apartment in the capital or a house near the beach in Punta Cana.
It's not an easy decision, because it involves financial differences, unfamiliar surroundings, and details related to safety, service quality, and a long list of other factors that are swirling in her mind. It's a subject she's not familiar with.
- If Brenda is looking for a 90 m² apartment in Santo Domingo, she would have to think about an investment close to US$198,000 (90 × US$2,202/m²).
- On the other hand, if you prefer a 120 m² house in Punta Cana, the cost would be around US$211,000 (120 × US$1,760/m²).
Although the total price of the house is higher because of its size, Brenda gets more square footage for less money than in the apartment.
“I like the idea of being in the capital, but in Punta Cana I’d have more space for my money,” Brenda says. She also knows that in the tourist area she could rent her house to visitors when she’s not there, which would generate extra income to help pay the mortgage.
For the same money, a house offers between 20% and 25% more space than an apartment.
| Budget (USD) | Apartment (m²) | House (m²) |
| $100,000 | 45.4 | 56.8 |
| $200,000 | 90.8 | 113.6 |
| $300,000 | 136.2 | 170.5 |
(Source: Global Property Guide, May 2025)
In her search for information, Brenda is discovering that thereal estate market in the Dominican Republic is booming. Housing prices continue to rise, both for apartments and houses, with values showing double-digit increases this year.
The latest data from Global Property Guide (GPG, 2025), the international portal specializing in real estate investments, gives clear clues about how the real estate market is moving.
According to GPG, in May 2025 the average price of an apartment in the country reached RD$130,932 per square meter, which is equivalent to about US$2,202/m², an increase of 10.7% year-on-year (6.6% in real terms, if inflation is discounted).
Meanwhile, single-family homes -yes, the usual little houses- were priced according to English analysts at RD$104,612 per square meter (≈ US$1,760/m²), with an even greater increase: 11.6% year-on-year (7.5% real).
In short:apartments are still more expensive per square meter, but houses are appreciating faster. For value seekers, single-family homes remain more affordable, according to the Global Property Guide's August 2025 report.
Global Property Guide analysts anticipate that residential prices in the Dominican Republic will rise between 7% and 12% throughout 2025, citing strong foreign demand and the expansion of tourism as the indicators responsible for these increases.
For shoppers like Brenda, the trend is clear and she must make her decision:
- Buyers who purchase today are guaranteed a lower price compared to what's to come.
- The difference between houses and apartments will remain: apartments concentrate the demand for urban luxury, while houses offer more space at a more moderate cost.
The Dominican Republic is establishing itself as one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the Caribbean. Any investor will have to decide between paying more for a centrally located apartment or opting for a larger house with greater tourism potential.
Brenda, who looks with a tourist's eye, knows that in Punta Cana she could get a house at a better price per square meter than an apartment in Santo Domingo, and also with a potential for appreciation that she finds interesting.
Data from Global Property Guide shows a landscape of sustained growth in both segments of the Dominican market. The final decision depends on lifestyle and investment objectives.
- Apartments: more expensive, better located in urban centers.
- Houses: cheaper per square meter and with faster value growth.
Brenda should consider how she will use the property she buys, as an apartment in the capital is ideal for long or short-term rentals on Airbnb, while a house in Punta Cana might be more attractive as a second family home or vacation investment.
Given the situation, the only option is: Brenda, buy now!
Comparison by cities: Santo Domingo, Punta Cana-Bávaro, Santiago, La Vega, others.
| Area / City | Apartments (US$/m²) or equivalent RD$ | Houses / Single-family homes (US$/m²) or equivalent in RD$ | Main comments |
| Santo Domingo | ~ US$1,800-2,800 for apartments in premium neighborhoods like Piantini, Naco, Bella Vista, etc. propstar.ph+3TheLatinvestor+3TheLatinvestor+3 | is around US$1,760 , though it varies considerably depending on the area; prices can drop significantly in less upscale neighborhoods . | In Santo Domingo, the variation is significant. Housing types, location, and amenities make a big difference. |
| Punta Cana / Bavaro | ~ US$1,980-2,200/m² for apartments or condominiums in high-demand areas. TheLatinvestor+2 | ~ US$1,570/m², as an average for single-family homes. TheLatinvestor+1 | Properties facing the sea or with luxury amenities can go up considerably more. |
| Santiago de los Caballeros | ~ US$1,700-1,800/m² for apartments. TheLatinvestor+2TheLatinvestor+2 | ~ US$1,650-1,750/m² for houses on average, depending on the neighborhood. TheLatinvestor+1 | Houses and apartments are relatively close in price per m², although houses may have more land and space. |
| La Vega | DOP ~ 85,893/m² for apartments (recent listings) ≈ US$ - variable value given the exchange rate. propertystar.com | DOP ~ 65,637/m² for houses. propertystar.com | Properstar's figures for La Vega show a clear difference between apartments vs single-family homes. |
| Other areas (various cities) | Some data from Properstar shows that apartment prices in places like San Francisco de Macorís, Azua, Boca Chica, etc., are much lower than those in Santo Domingo or Punta Cana. For example, apartments in San Francisco de Macorís are around DOP 56,318/m², and houses are around DOP 53,888/m². (properstar.com | Similarly, most homes in those areas have lower prices per square meter, and land, distance, and infrastructure are major factors. propertystar.com | These areas offer relatively more affordable prices, but there may be fewer amenities, higher transportation costs, etc. |
Exact conversions from DOP to USD depend on the exchange rate at the time: to compare like Brenda, it's best to check it on the day of purchase. (Main source: Global Property Guide, 2025. Supplementary data: InternationalInvestment.biz, September 2025).
