Cost of Living Comparison Between Frederiksted and Cruz Bay Cost of Living Comparison Between Frederiksted and Cruz Bay

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $350 in Frederiksted versus $2,815 in Cruz Bay.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $751 in Frederiksted versus $4,635 in Cruz Bay.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,153 in Frederiksted versus $6,455 in Cruz Bay.

Living in Frederiksted costs roughly 88% less than in Cruz Bay, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Frederiksted is 74% below, Cruz Bay is 110% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.44 $29.44

$30.30 $30.30

-2.84%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.7 $78.7

$91.6 $91.6

-14.15%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$16.88 $16.88

Cappuccino

$9.08 $9.08

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 $3.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 $3.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.18 $7.18

$7.80 $7.80

-7.95%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$9.12 $9.12

-11.73%

Milk (1 liter)

$3.47 $3.47

Eggs

$5.14 $5.14

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.18 $15.18

Apples (1kg)

$9.06 $9.06

Wine (Bottle)

$25.14 $25.14

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$344 $344

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$139 $139

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.0 $60.0

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$60.3 $60.3

$91.4 $91.4

-34.07%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.9K $12.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,367 $1,367

$1,768 $1,768

-22.65%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,515 $1,515

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,444 $3,444

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,476 $3,476

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.9K $10.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,090 $6,090

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

Last update for Frederiksted: April 20, 2026

Last update for Cruz Bay: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,367 in Frederiksted and $1,768 in Cruz Bay. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $79 in Frederiksted vs $92 in Cruz Bay for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $0 vs $227 per month, with Frederiksted 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

Frederiksted vs Cruz Bay: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Frederiksted and Cruz Bay differ by about 705% in total monthly costs ($350 vs $2,815 including rent). Frederiksted is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $525 in Frederiksted and $4,223 in Cruz Bay 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.

Rent for a central apartment: $1,367 in Frederiksted versus $1,768 in Cruz Bay. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Dining out is cheaper in Frederiksted – a meal for two runs $79.0 versus $92.0 in Cruz Bay. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $350 per month in Frederiksted versus $2,815 in Cruz Bay – a 705% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $350 in Frederiksted versus $2,815 in Cruz Bay, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Frederiksted but tight or insufficient in Cruz Bay. The gap between the two cities makes Frederiksted the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

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.

Safety-wise, Frederiksted and Cruz Bay are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Frederiksted gentler on the wallet – expenses run 705% less than in Cruz Bay. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.