😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,961 in Barbados versus $272 in Alexandra.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,190 in Barbados versus $448 in Alexandra.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,418 in Barbados versus $623 in Alexandra.
😐Living in Barbados is roughly 620% more expensive than Alexandra, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Barbados is 46% above, Alexandra is 80% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.86BBD 39.72
$29.67BBD 59.3
-33.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$111BBD 223
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.33BBD 20.65
-
-
Cappuccino
$4.47BBD 8.93
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06BBD 4.11
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.48BBD 2.97
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95BBD 5.90
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.06BBD 8.13
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.49BBD 6.97
$3.45BBD 6.90
1.16%
White Bread(500g)
$2.61BBD 5.22
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.59BBD 9.18
-
-
Eggs
$5.85BBD 11.71
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.85BBD 13.69
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.03BBD 26.07
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.33BBD 20.65
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$4.72BBD 9.45
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$3.18BBD 6.36
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$5.44BBD 10.87
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$5.25BBD 10.49
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$5.51BBD 11.02
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$4.90BBD 9.81
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.82BBD 5.64
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.06BBD 6.13
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.32BBD 14.63
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$15.84BBD 31.68
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75BBD 3.51
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76BBD 5.52
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.73BBD 3.46
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.22BBD 12.45
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.49BBD 6.97
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.11BBD 44.21
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.99BBD 3.98
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$50.6KBBD 101.2K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.9KBBD 79.8K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$194BBD 388
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$49.35BBD 98.7
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$87.9BBD 176
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$72.3BBD 145
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.05BBD 20.10
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$265BBD 529
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.7BBD 111
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.59BBD 57.2
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.2BBD 178
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$55.9BBD 112
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$673BBD 1,346
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$679BBD 1,359
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,140BBD 4,280
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,403BBD 2,806
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barbados
Alexandra
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,315BBD 2,630
-
-
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: June 7, 2026
Last update for Alexandra: June 6, 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 620% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,941 in Barbados and $408 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 Alexandra?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1147% higher in Barbados. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Barbados vs Alexandra?
All in, you'll spend $1,961 per month in Barbados versus $272 in Alexandra – a 620% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Barbados or Alexandra?
At $272 in Alexandra versus $1,961 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 620% less than in Barbados. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.