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: $357 in Frederiksted versus $2,893 in Cruz Bay.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $743 in Frederiksted versus $4,552 in Cruz Bay.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,129 in Frederiksted versus $6,211 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 73% below, Cruz Bay is 115% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.13 $30.13

$30.25 $30.25

-0.40%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.7 $80.7

$91.2 $91.2

-11.51%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$17.10 $17.10

Cappuccino

$8.78 $8.78

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

$3.07 $3.07

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.90 $3.90

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.05 $7.05

$7.81 $7.81

-9.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.86 $7.86

$8.76 $8.76

-10.27%

Milk (1 liter)

$3.54 $3.54

Eggs

$5.12 $5.12

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.69 $15.69

Apples (1kg)

$8.86 $8.86

Wine (Bottle)

$25.42 $25.42

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

$344 $344

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

$140 $140

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.0 $60.0

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.1 $61.1

$91.8 $91.8

-33.41%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.9K $12.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,357 $1,357

$1,789 $1,789

-24.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,493 $1,493

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,488 $3,488

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,476 $3,476

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$11.0K $11.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,300 $6,300

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

Last update for Frederiksted: June 6, 2026

Last update for Cruz Bay: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,357 in Frederiksted and $1,789 in Cruz Bay. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $81.0 in Frederiksted vs $91.0 in Cruz Bay for two.

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 711% in total monthly costs ($357 vs $2,893 including rent). Frederiksted is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $535 in Frederiksted and $4,340 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: $1,357 in Frederiksted versus $1,789 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 $81.0 versus $91.0 in Cruz Bay. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $357 per month in Frederiksted versus $2,893 in Cruz Bay – a 711% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $357 in Frederiksted versus $2,893 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 711% less than in Cruz Bay. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.