Cost of Living Comparison Between Alexandria and May Pen Cost of Living Comparison Between Alexandria and May Pen

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $894 in Alexandria versus $646 in May Pen.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,431 in Alexandria versus $1,006 in May Pen.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,967 in Alexandria versus $1,366 in May Pen.

Living in Alexandria is roughly 38% more expensive than in May Pen, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Alexandria 33% lower, May Pen 52% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.64 JMD 1,204

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$63.5 JMD 10.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.82 JMD 1,390

Cappuccino

$4.31 JMD 678

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

$1.30 JMD 206

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 JMD 110

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.46 JMD 388

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.15 JMD 497

Milk (1 liter)

$4.20 JMD 662

$2.14 JMD 337

96.26%

White Bread (500g)

$3.63 JMD 573

$3.84 JMD 605

-5.47%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.62 JMD 255

$3.08 JMD 486

-47.40%

Eggs

$3.57 JMD 562

$3.32 JMD 523

7.53%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.13 JMD 1,753

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.31 JMD 994

$7.42 JMD 1,170

-14.96%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.49 JMD 1,181

$5.10 JMD 804

46.86%

Apples (1kg)

$6.16 JMD 971

$1.61 JMD 254

282.61%

Banana (1kg)

$3.09 JMD 487

$4.98 JMD 784

-37.95%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.27 JMD 674

$6.43 JMD 1,013

-33.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.95 JMD 465

$1.93 JMD 304

52.85%

Potato (1kg)

$2.10 JMD 332

$1.93 JMD 305

8.81%

Onion (1kg)

$1.93 JMD 304

$1.83 JMD 288

5.46%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.00 JMD 473

$3.08 JMD 485

-2.60%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 JMD 229

$2.84 JMD 447

-48.94%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.85 JMD 1,395

Wine (Bottle)

$11.40 JMD 1,796

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.81 JMD 443

$2.25 JMD 355

24.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 JMD 505

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 JMD 139

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.08 JMD 171

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.21 JMD 506

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.11 JMD 962

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 JMD 194

$1.39 JMD 220

-11.51%

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

$43.7K JMD 6.9M

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

$33.8K JMD 5.3M

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

$162 JMD 25.5K

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

$21.86 JMD 3,444

$42.49 JMD 6,696

-48.55%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$50.5 JMD 7,950

$38.56 JMD 6,077

30.84%

Cinema Ticket

$13.21 JMD 2,081

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

$227 JMD 35.8K

$313 JMD 49.4K

-27.42%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,437 JMD 384.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.71 JMD 4,052

$15.48 JMD 2,440

66.09%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.05 JMD 4,105

$21.50 JMD 3,388

21.16%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.1 JMD 11.4K

$40.10 JMD 6,319

79.85%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.1 JMD 12.0K

$53.5 JMD 8,437

42.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$178 JMD 28.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$221 JMD 34.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$562 JMD 88.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$432 JMD 68.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.15

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

Last update for Alexandria: July 14, 2026

Last update for May Pen: July 11, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Alexandria vs May Pen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Alexandria and May Pen differ by about 38% in total monthly costs ($894 vs $646 including rent). May Pen is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $1,342 in Alexandria and $970 in May Pen to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Childcare runs $227 in Alexandria versus $313 in May Pen. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

All in, you'll spend $894 per month in Alexandria versus $646 in May Pen – a 38% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though May Pen gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find May Pen gentler on the wallet – expenses run 38% less than in Alexandria. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.