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: $884 in Alexandria versus $630 in May Pen.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,450 in Alexandria versus $973 in May Pen.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,015 in Alexandria versus $1,316 in May Pen.

Living in Alexandria is roughly 40% more expensive than May Pen, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Alexandria 34% lower, May Pen 53% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.32 JMD 1,147

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$61.7 JMD 9,669

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.78 JMD 1,376

Cappuccino

$4.40 JMD 689

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

$1.36 JMD 213

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.72 JMD 112

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.43 JMD 380

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.05 JMD 478

Milk (1 liter)

$4.24 JMD 665

$2.24 JMD 351

89.29%

White Bread (500g)

$3.62 JMD 568

$3.68 JMD 576

-1.63%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.55 JMD 243

$3.18 JMD 498

-51.26%

Eggs

$3.46 JMD 543

$3.46 JMD 542

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.89 JMD 1,706

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.30 JMD 988

$7.63 JMD 1,196

-17.43%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.49 JMD 1,174

$5.09 JMD 797

47.15%

Apples (1kg)

$6.05 JMD 948

$1.53 JMD 240

295.42%

Banana (1kg)

$3.02 JMD 473

$5.11 JMD 801

-40.90%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.15 JMD 650

$6.08 JMD 952

-31.74%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.06 JMD 480

$1.91 JMD 299

60.21%

Potato (1kg)

$2.10 JMD 329

$1.93 JMD 302

8.81%

Onion (1kg)

$1.93 JMD 303

$1.85 JMD 290

4.32%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.11 JMD 488

$3.19 JMD 501

-2.51%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.49 JMD 234

$2.90 JMD 454

-48.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.69 JMD 1,361

Wine (Bottle)

$11.55 JMD 1,809

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.85 JMD 447

$2.22 JMD 348

28.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.05 JMD 478

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.83 JMD 130

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.12 JMD 175

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.20 JMD 501

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.11 JMD 957

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 JMD 192

$1.41 JMD 222

-12.77%

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

$43.3K JMD 6.8M

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

$33.0K JMD 5.2M

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

$161 JMD 25.3K

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

$22.32 JMD 3,497

$41.74 JMD 6,540

-46.53%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$51.2 JMD 8,016

$39.36 JMD 6,167

29.98%

Cinema Ticket

$13.40 JMD 2,100

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

$229 JMD 35.9K

$313 JMD 49.0K

-26.74%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,485 JMD 389.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.84 JMD 4,049

$15.86 JMD 2,485

62.93%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.62 JMD 4,014

$21.62 JMD 3,388

18.50%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.5 JMD 11.2K

$40.73 JMD 6,382

75.42%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.2 JMD 11.9K

$53.5 JMD 8,379

42.45%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$177 JMD 27.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$217 JMD 33.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$563 JMD 88.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$443 JMD 69.5K

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: May 31, 2026

Last update for May Pen: May 31, 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 40% in total monthly costs ($884 vs $630 including rent). May Pen is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $1,326 in Alexandria and $945 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 $229 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 $884 per month in Alexandria versus $630 in May Pen – a 40% 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 40% less than in Alexandria. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.