😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,898 in Barbados versus $273 in Alexandra.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,102 in Barbados versus $449 in Alexandra.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,306 in Barbados versus $626 in Alexandra.
🌍Living in Barbados is roughly 597% more expensive than in Alexandra, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Barbados is 43% above, Alexandra is 80% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.10BBD 40.20
$30.29BBD 60.6
-33.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$112BBD 223
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.20BBD 20.41
-
-
Cappuccino
$4.35BBD 8.69
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05BBD 4.11
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49BBD 2.97
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.94BBD 5.89
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.95BBD 7.90
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.54BBD 7.08
$3.41BBD 6.82
3.81%
White Bread(500g)
$2.59BBD 5.18
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.63BBD 9.26
-
-
Eggs
$5.82BBD 11.65
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.56BBD 13.11
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.28BBD 26.57
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.42BBD 20.85
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$4.61BBD 9.21
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$3.05BBD 6.11
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$5.25BBD 10.50
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$5.40BBD 10.80
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$5.64BBD 11.28
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$4.88BBD 9.77
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.84BBD 5.68
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.02BBD 6.03
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.41BBD 14.83
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$16.18BBD 32.37
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69BBD 3.39
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88BBD 5.76
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.78BBD 3.56
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.40BBD 12.80
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.33BBD 6.66
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.24BBD 44.48
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.00BBD 4.00
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$49.0KBBD 98.1K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.1KBBD 80.1K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$192BBD 384
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.96BBD 97.9
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$87.8BBD 176
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$73.6BBD 147
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.16BBD 20.32
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$263BBD 526
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.2BBD 110
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.15BBD 56.3
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.7BBD 173
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$54.9BBD 110
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$657BBD 1,314
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$660BBD 1,319
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,109BBD 4,217
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,409BBD 2,818
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,341BBD 2,683
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.4
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barbados: July 26, 2026
Last update for Alexandra: July 25, 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
Barbados vs Alexandra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alexandra cheaper than Barbados?
Alexandra is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 597% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,848 in Barbados and $409 in Alexandra 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.
How do food prices compare in Barbados and in Alexandra?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1163% higher in Barbados. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Barbados and in Alexandra?
All in, you'll spend $1,898 per month in Barbados versus $273 in Alexandra – a 597% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Barbados or in Alexandra?
At $273 in Alexandra versus $1,898 in Barbados, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Alexandra but tight or insufficient in Barbados. The gap between the two cities makes Alexandra the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Barbados or Alexandra more family-friendly?
For families, Alexandra is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Barbados, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Barbados or Alexandra?
Safety-wise, Barbados and Alexandra are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Alexandra gentler on the wallet – expenses run 597% less than in Barbados. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.