Cost of Living Comparison Between Bahamas and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Bahamas and United States

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $654 in Bahamas versus $2,626 in United States.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,138 in Bahamas versus $3,830 in United States.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,622 in Bahamas versus $5,033 in United States.

Living in Bahamas costs about 75% less than in United States on average.

Bahamas (53% below) and United States (90% above) straddle the global median.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bahamas
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$48.16 BSD 48.16
$19.83 $19.83
142.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$167 BSD 167
$78.8 $78.8
112.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.03 BSD 12.03
$12.19 $12.19
-1.31%
Cappuccino
$5.21 BSD 5.21
$5.59 $5.59
-6.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.13 BSD 3.13
$2.78 $2.78
12.59%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91 BSD 1.91
$2.18 $2.18
-12.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.14 BSD 5.14
$5.86 $5.86
-12.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.23 BSD 8.23
$8.02 $8.02
2.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bahamas
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$4.48 BSD 4.48
$1.07 $1.07
318.69%
White Bread (500g)
$5.22 BSD 5.22
$3.68 $3.68
41.85%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.95 BSD 5.95
$4.66 $4.66
27.68%
Eggs
$8.31 BSD 8.31
$4.20 $4.20
97.86%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.28 BSD 11.28
$12.78 $12.78
-11.74%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.35 BSD 13.35
$12.40 $12.40
7.66%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.79 BSD 17.79
$16.90 $16.90
5.27%
Apples (1kg)
$5.74 BSD 5.74
$5.23 $5.23
9.75%
Banana (1kg)
$3.78 BSD 3.78
$1.66 $1.66
127.71%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.18 BSD 5.18
$4.33 $4.33
19.63%
Tomato (1kg)
$9.14 BSD 9.14
$4.96 $4.96
84.27%
Potato (1kg)
$3.13 BSD 3.13
$2.82 $2.82
10.99%
Onion (1kg)
$3.79 BSD 3.79
$3.11 $3.11
21.86%
Lettuce (1 head)
$4.33 BSD 4.33
$2.19 $2.19
97.72%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.76 BSD 2.76
$2.26 $2.26
22.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.23 BSD 15.23
$10.35 $10.35
47.15%
Wine (Bottle)
$29.52 BSD 29.52
$14.81 $14.81
99.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.62 BSD 4.62
$2.09 $2.09
121.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.93 BSD 3.93
$3.65 $3.65
7.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Bahamas
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.45 BSD 2.45
$2.38 $2.38
2.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$150 BSD 150
$64.5 $64.5
132.70%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$8.18 BSD 8.18
$3.54 $3.54
131.07%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.97 BSD 2.97
$1.86 $1.86
59.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$50.2 BSD 50.2
$30.34 $30.34
65.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.46 BSD 1.46
$1.00 $1.00
46.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K BSD 30.5K
$35.5K $35.5K
-14.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.8K BSD 43.8K
$25.9K $25.9K
69.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bahamas
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$330 BSD 330
$222 $222
48.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$65.5 BSD 65.5
$61.1 $61.1
7.10%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$105 BSD 105
$74.7 $74.7
41.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bahamas
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$114 BSD 114
$44.49 $44.49
155.27%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$41.97 BSD 41.97
$22.35 $22.35
87.79%
Cinema Ticket
$20.18 BSD 20.18
$15.03 $15.03
34.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bahamas
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$985 BSD 985
$1,431 $1,431
-31.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.0K BSD 16.0K
$25.9K $25.9K
-38.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bahamas
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.3 BSD 60.3
$53.6 $53.6
12.54%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$84.1 BSD 84.1
$43.46 $43.46
93.40%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$120 BSD 120
$91.5 $91.5
31.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$127 BSD 127
$114 $114
11.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bahamas
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,287 BSD 1,287
$1,633 $1,633
-21.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,292 BSD 1,292
$1,328 $1,328
-2.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,471 BSD 3,471
$2,606 $2,606
33.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,737 BSD 3,737
$2,206 $2,206
69.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,153 BSD 4,153
$3,323 $3,323
24.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,268 BSD 3,268
$2,653 $2,653
23.17%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bahamas
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,620 BSD 2,620
$4,306 $4,306
-39.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.92
6.21
59.74%

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

Last update for Bahamas: September 8, 2026

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $253 in Bahamas, $1,604 in United States. Capital cities: $1,490 in Nassau vs $1,360 in Columbia, TN.

National salary averages: $2,354 in Bahamas, $4,526 in United States. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 534% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 200% more in United States.

Public transport is 238% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 92% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Bahamas.

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
Bahamas vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the cost of living in Bahamas compare to the cost in United States?
At $2,175 per month in Bahamas and $3,142 in United States, there's a 44% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
How do daily expenses compare in Bahamas vs United States?
Day-to-day life is simply cheaper in Bahamas: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Is rent more expensive in Bahamas or in United States?
Rent in United States is consistently higher than in Bahamas across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Can you live in both Bahamas and United States on $3,000 per month?
In Bahamas, $3,000 covers most cities easily; in United States it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Which country is better for expats: Bahamas or United States?
It depends on what you're after: Bahamas wins on affordability; United States may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.

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