Cost of Living in Barbados - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,899 monthly including rent, or $1,006 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,176 with rent, or $1,861 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,453 including rent, or $2,717 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.70 BBD 39.39

$12.31 BBD 24.62

$29.54 BBD 59.1

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$112 BBD 224

$99.7 BBD 199

$125 BBD 249

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.45 BBD 20.89

$10.19 BBD 20.38

$15.29 BBD 30.57

Cappuccino

$4.38 BBD 8.76

$2.49 BBD 4.98

$5.97 BBD 11.94

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.10 BBD 4.20

$1.76 BBD 3.52

$2.51 BBD 5.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.41 BBD 2.82

$0.97 BBD 1.94

$2.43 BBD 4.86

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.00 BBD 6.01

$1.76 BBD 3.52

$6.03 BBD 12.06

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.97 BBD 7.93

$2.98 BBD 5.95

$5.95 BBD 11.90

Milk (1 liter)

$3.61 BBD 7.22

$3.03 BBD 6.05

$4.04 BBD 8.07

White Bread (500g)

$2.66 BBD 5.32

$1.51 BBD 3.01

$3.52 BBD 7.03

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.63 BBD 9.25

$2.06 BBD 4.11

$7.71 BBD 15.42

Eggs

$5.81 BBD 11.62

$3.92 BBD 7.84

$9.40 BBD 18.81

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.70 BBD 13.40

$5.02 BBD 10.05

$9.04 BBD 18.09

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.94 BBD 25.87

$5.89 BBD 11.78

$21.82 BBD 43.64

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.32 BBD 20.65

$8.85 BBD 17.70

$12.29 BBD 24.58

Apples (1kg)

$4.66 BBD 9.32

$2.47 BBD 4.95

$6.93 BBD 13.85

Banana (1kg)

$3.08 BBD 6.16

$2.45 BBD 4.89

$5.92 BBD 11.84

Oranges (1kg)

$5.29 BBD 10.59

$2.97 BBD 5.95

$6.94 BBD 13.88

Tomato (1kg)

$5.53 BBD 11.07

$1.03 BBD 2.06

$7.20 BBD 14.40

Potato (1kg)

$5.58 BBD 11.15

$1.34 BBD 2.69

$7.63 BBD 15.26

Onion (1kg)

$4.91 BBD 9.82

$2.03 BBD 4.07

$7.62 BBD 15.25

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.88 BBD 5.76

$2.06 BBD 4.11

$3.86 BBD 7.71

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.94 BBD 5.87

$1.47 BBD 2.94

$3.92 BBD 7.83

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.28 BBD 14.55

$4.85 BBD 9.70

$8.73 BBD 17.47

Wine (Bottle)

$16.01 BBD 32.03

$8.01 BBD 16.01

$19.01 BBD 38.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 BBD 3.52

$1.03 BBD 2.06

$2.57 BBD 5.15

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.88 BBD 5.75

$2.03 BBD 4.07

$4.07 BBD 8.13

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.78 BBD 3.56

$1.53 BBD 3.05

$1.78 BBD 3.56

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.11 BBD 12.23

$4.89 BBD 9.78

$7.34 BBD 14.68

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.37 BBD 6.73

$2.46 BBD 4.92

$4.28 BBD 8.57

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.57 BBD 45.14

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.06 BBD 4.13

$1.72 BBD 3.44

$2.13 BBD 4.27

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$49.9K BBD 99.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$40.1K BBD 80.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$190 BBD 381

$98.4 BBD 197

$300 BBD 600

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$48.85 BBD 97.7

$44.71 BBD 89.4

$49.68 BBD 99.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$86.9 BBD 174

$60.2 BBD 120

$110 BBD 221

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$72.7 BBD 145

$37.35 BBD 74.7

$124 BBD 249

Cinema Ticket

$10.12 BBD 20.24

$8.10 BBD 16.19

$10.12 BBD 20.24

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$269 BBD 537

$201 BBD 402

$336 BBD 673

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.2 BBD 108

$29.54 BBD 59.1

$61.5 BBD 123

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.99 BBD 56.0

$19.76 BBD 39.52

$39.52 BBD 79.0

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.1 BBD 176

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.1 BBD 110

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$660 BBD 1,321

$347 BBD 693

$891 BBD 1,783

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$667 BBD 1,333

$400 BBD 800

$1,000 BBD 2,000

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,081 BBD 4,163

$1,183 BBD 2,366

$3,204 BBD 6,409

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,376 BBD 2,752

$983 BBD 1,966

$1,671 BBD 3,342

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,323 BBD 2,645

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.4

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $660 for a central one-bedroom, or $667 outside the center. At 50% of the average salary ($1,323), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,323, while typical expenses reach $1,899. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $431 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $112 for two.

Cost Highlights

Gasoline is more expensive than 99% of cities in North America

Taxi is more expensive than 99% of cities in North America

Milk is more expensive than 98% of cities in North America

Barbados Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Barbados - Frequently Asked Questions

Barbados offers a mix of island charm and modern conveniences, making it appealing for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who value a high quality of life. In practice, affordability swings with location, season, and lifestyle. The Cost of Living in Barbados can be higher in popular beachfront zones and tourist lanes, while inland neighborhoods and local markets offer better value for meals, groceries, and casual dining. Long-stay options often become more economical when choosing a home with modest utilities and a simple, well-connected commute. Transportation choices matter: a car unlocks weekend trips, but reliable public transit and ride-sharing cover daily needs. Tip: Build a flexible plan and test several neighborhoods before committing.

Begin your housing search by defining a few neighborhoods that match your pace and budget, then work with local agents or trusted listings for long-term leases. For daily food, mix local markets with larger groceries to balance freshness and convenience; Caribbean produce, fish, and staples keep meals satisfying without overdoing cost. Getting around is flexible: a compact car unlocks weekend trips, while reliable buses and ride-sharing cover shorter commutes and errands. For work, several coworking spaces and cafes with solid Wi‑Fi offer productive spots and social networks. Errands and beach breaks naturally color the day around climate and crowds. Barbados living cost conversations often surface when weighing inland versus coastal logistics. Tip: map your routine around the island’s rhythms and peak traffic times.

Quality of life in Barbados comes from balancing pace, safety, and access to nature with smart budgeting. Build a simple monthly framework: housing, groceries, transport, utilities, and leisure, then add a buffer for travel and occasional splurges. Favor neighborhoods with walkable streets, nearby beaches, and reliable internet for work. Seasonality affects crowds, noise, and availability more than constant prices, so plan longer stays in shoulder periods to enjoy lower stress and more flexible bookings. Save by cooking at home, choosing local produce, and using public transit where practical. Tip: set a reusable shopping list and time purchases to coordinate with farmers’ market days to stretch meals and reduce waste.

With 50% of the average paycheck going to rent, Barbados is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.

All in, Barbados runs about $1,899 monthly with rent, or $1,006 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.

An average salary of $1,323 technically covers the $1,899 monthly cost of living in Barbados, but just barely. There's little room for surprises – a rent hike, medical bill, or unexpected repair can throw things off quickly at this income level.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Barbados range from $667 to $660, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

Childcare averages $269 monthly at a private kindergarten in Barbados. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.

At about $431 monthly, food costs in Barbados sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.

Living on $3,000 in Barbados means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,899. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Remote workers pick Barbados for good reason: fast internet, vibrant nightlife, clean air, all at about $1,899 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.

Monthly expenses in Barbados run around $1,899, so putting money aside takes more than $2,848 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.