Cost of Living Comparison Between Bridgetown and Barbados Cost of Living Comparison Between Bridgetown and Barbados

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,460 in Bridgetown versus $1,838 in Barbados.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,738 in Bridgetown versus $4,128 in Barbados.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,015 in Bridgetown versus $6,418 in Barbados.

Living in Bridgetown is roughly 34% more expensive than in Barbados, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Bridgetown 80% above, Barbados 34% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bridgetown
Barbados
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.10 BBD 40.20
$24.97 BBD 49.93
-19.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$94.7 BBD 189
$110 BBD 221
-14.25%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.41 BBD 14.81
$12.74 BBD 25.49
-41.84%
Cappuccino
$4.46 BBD 8.91
$4.64 BBD 9.28
-3.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.53 BBD 3.05
$2.21 BBD 4.43
-30.77%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37 BBD 2.74
$1.73 BBD 3.45
-20.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.45 BBD 4.91
$2.98 BBD 5.95
-17.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.93 BBD 11.86
$4.05 BBD 8.10
46.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bridgetown
Barbados
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$3.98 BBD 7.96
$3.50 BBD 7.01
13.71%
White Bread (500g)
$3.93 BBD 7.87
$2.69 BBD 5.37
46.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.94 BBD 5.87
$4.06 BBD 8.13
-27.59%
Eggs
$6.15 BBD 12.30
$5.88 BBD 11.76
4.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.13 BBD 18.27
$6.72 BBD 13.43
35.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.47 BBD 18.93
$10.36 BBD 20.71
-8.59%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.76 BBD 15.52
$11.28 BBD 22.55
-31.21%
Apples (1kg)
$5.61 BBD 11.22
$4.97 BBD 9.95
12.88%
Banana (1kg)
$3.11 BBD 6.22
$4.25 BBD 8.49
-26.82%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.36 BBD 10.72
$5.45 BBD 10.90
-1.65%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.98 BBD 9.97
$5.72 BBD 11.44
-12.94%
Potato (1kg)
$1.82 BBD 3.65
$6.95 BBD 13.90
-73.81%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 BBD 4.70
$4.95 BBD 9.90
-52.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.81 BBD 5.62
$2.77 BBD 5.53
1.44%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.24 BBD 6.48
$2.73 BBD 5.47
18.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.13 BBD 20.26
$7.07 BBD 14.13
43.28%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.83 BBD 27.67
$16.15 BBD 32.30
-14.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79 BBD 3.58
$1.72 BBD 3.45
4.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 BBD 3.70
$2.91 BBD 5.82
-36.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Bridgetown
Barbados
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.74 BBD 3.48
$1.72 BBD 3.43
1.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.52 BBD 55.0
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$7.30 BBD 14.60
$5.08 BBD 10.16
43.70%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$3.32 BBD 6.65
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$40.06 BBD 80.1
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.03 BBD 4.07
$1.97 BBD 3.95
3.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.6K BBD 75.2K
$49.7K BBD 99.3K
-24.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.9K BBD 69.7K
$39.2K BBD 78.5K
-11.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bridgetown
Barbados
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$194 BBD 388
$99.9 BBD 200
94.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.2 BBD 112
$49.77 BBD 99.5
12.94%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$79.7 BBD 159
$86.4 BBD 173
-7.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bridgetown
Barbados
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$91.8 BBD 184
$73.6 BBD 147
24.68%
Cinema Ticket
$15.16 BBD 30.32
$8.99 BBD 17.97
68.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bridgetown
Barbados
Difference
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,032 BBD 6,064
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bridgetown
Barbados
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.8 BBD 106
$47.14 BBD 94.3
12.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.15 BBD 78.3
$19.93 BBD 39.86
96.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.1 BBD 198
$60.0 BBD 120
65.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.5 BBD 139
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bridgetown
Barbados
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,196 BBD 2,391
$661 BBD 1,321
80.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,138 BBD 2,275
$656 BBD 1,312
73.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,110 BBD 4,220
$1,831 BBD 3,662
15.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,016 BBD 4,033
$3,383 BBD 6,766
-40.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,524 BBD 7,048
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,561 BBD 7,121
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bridgetown
Barbados
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,787 BBD 3,574
$1,350 BBD 2,700
32.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.85
11
-37.73%

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

Last update for Bridgetown: September 13, 2026

Last update for Barbados: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,196 in Bridgetown and $661 in Barbados. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bridgetown pays 32% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $95.0 in Bridgetown vs $110 in Barbados for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $407 vs $430 per month, with Bridgetown cheaper across the board.

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
Bridgetown vs Barbados: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bridgetown and in Barbados?
Bridgetown and Barbados differ by about 34% in total monthly costs ($2,460 vs $1,838 including rent). Barbados is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Bridgetown or Barbados?
Average pay runs 32% higher in Bridgetown, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Bridgetown and in Barbados?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,196 in Bridgetown versus $661 in Barbados. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Barbados – a meal for two runs $110 versus $95.0 in Bridgetown. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bridgetown or Barbados?
All in, you'll spend $2,460 per month in Bridgetown versus $1,838 in Barbados – a 34% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,838 in Barbados versus $2,460 in Bridgetown, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Barbados but tight or insufficient in Bridgetown. The gap between the two cities makes Barbados the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Bridgetown and Barbados?
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.
Is Bridgetown or Barbados safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bridgetown and Barbados are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Bridgetown or Barbados?
Expats usually find Barbados gentler on the wallet – expenses run 34% less than in Bridgetown. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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