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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $712 per month in Barbados vs $2,643 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,237 per month in Barbados vs $3,857 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,761 per month in Barbados vs $5,071 in United States, rent included.

Barbados is roughly 73% cheaper than United States on average โ€” the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Barbados sits 47% below the global median, while United States is 97% above โ€“ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

United States has a wider regional cost range ($1,320โ€“$5,119) than Barbados ($0โ€“$1,988), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Barbados
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.15 BBDย 40.30
$20.23 $20.23
-0.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$98.1 BBDย 196
$74.3 $74.3
31.98%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.19 BBDย 20.38
$11.29 $11.29
-9.74%
Cappuccino
$4.87 BBDย 9.75
$5.12 $5.12
-4.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 BBDย 3.59
$2.54 $2.54
-29.13%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33 BBDย 2.66
$2.12 $2.12
-37.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.57 BBDย 5.13
$5.84 $5.84
-55.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.95 BBDย 7.89
$6.86 $6.86
-42.42%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Barbados
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$3.55 BBDย 7.10
$1.03 $1.03
244.66%
White Bread (500g)
$2.64 BBDย 5.28
$3.73 $3.73
-29.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.96 BBDย 7.92
$4.51 $4.51
-12.20%
Eggs
$5.47 BBDย 10.95
$4.30 $4.30
27.21%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.85 BBDย 15.71
$13.16 $13.16
-40.35%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.85 BBDย 21.70
$12.40 $12.40
-12.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.36 BBDย 20.72
$16.19 $16.19
-36.01%
Apples (1kg)
$4.17 BBDย 8.33
$5.33 $5.33
-21.76%
Banana (1kg)
$3.17 BBDย 6.34
$1.73 $1.73
83.24%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.06 BBDย 10.11
$4.56 $4.56
10.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.95 BBDย 7.90
$4.88 $4.88
-19.06%
Potato (1kg)
$4.18 BBDย 8.36
$2.87 $2.87
45.64%
Onion (1kg)
$3.16 BBDย 6.32
$3.10 $3.10
1.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.64 BBDย 5.28
$2.24 $2.24
17.86%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 BBDย 4.43
$2.26 $2.26
-1.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.89 BBDย 15.78
$10.07 $10.07
-21.65%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.92 BBDย 31.83
$15.27 $15.27
4.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 BBDย 3.50
$2.00 $2.00
-12.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96 BBDย 5.91
$3.52 $3.52
-15.91%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Barbados
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.77 BBDย 3.53
$2.57 $2.57
-31.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$24.91 BBDย 49.82
$66.0 $66.0
-62.25%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$15.10 BBDย 30.20
$3.74 $3.74
303.74%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.45 BBDย 4.89
$1.70 $1.70
44.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$40.30 BBDย 80.6
$30.03 $30.03
34.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.07 BBDย 4.14
$0.93 $0.93
122.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.5K BBDย 81.0K
$30.2K $30.2K
33.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.5K BBDย 74.9K
$26.0K $26.0K
44.28%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barbados
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$125 BBDย 250
$206 $206
-39.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$49.94 BBDย 99.9
$57.1 $57.1
-12.48%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.2 BBDย 122
$73.2 $73.2
-16.40%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Barbados
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$73.4 BBDย 147
$46.50 $46.50
57.83%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$22.07 $22.07
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.08 BBDย 20.17
$14.14 $14.14
-28.71%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Barbados
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$262 BBDย 525
$1,371 $1,371
-80.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,288 BBDย 14.6K
$22.8K $22.8K
-67.98%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Barbados
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.5 BBDย 113
$51.3 $51.3
9.95%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.76 BBDย 77.5
$42.27 $42.27
-8.30%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$102 BBDย 205
$89.9 $89.9
13.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$92.7 BBDย 185
$114 $114
-18.61%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Barbados
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$664 BBDย 1,328
$1,740 $1,740
-61.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$541 BBDย 1,082
$1,409 $1,409
-61.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,744 BBDย 3,487
$2,912 $2,912
-40.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,219 BBDย 2,438
$2,377 $2,377
-48.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,479 BBDย 6,958
$3,412 $3,412
1.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,450 BBDย 6,901
$2,669 $2,669
29.28%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Barbados
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,149 BBDย 2,298
$4,242 $4,242
-72.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.62
6.51
-13.67%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Barbados: April 26, 2026

Last update for United States: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $198 in Barbados vs $1,635 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $583 in Bridgetown and $2,512 in Washington, DC.

Average salary: $1,303 in Barbados vs $4,494 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 726% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 97% more in United States.

Public transport is 525% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 245% higher in United States, giving Barbados stronger purchasing power.

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 United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do Barbados and United States compare in cost of living?
Barbados is the cheaper option โ€“ living costs run roughly 224% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
How do rents compare between Barbados and United States?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: Barbados or United States?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Barbados, contributing to the overall 224% price gap. The savings show up everywhere โ€“ from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
How far does $3,000 go in Barbados vs United States?
$3,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Barbados, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
How do I choose between living in Barbados and United States?
Barbados is the budget-friendly choice for expats โ€“ lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

Barbados vs other spots: cost of living compared

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