Cost of Living Comparison Between Green Island and May Pen Cost of Living Comparison Between Green Island and May Pen

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $899 in Green Island versus $634 in May Pen.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,446 in Green Island versus $993 in May Pen.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,994 in Green Island versus $1,351 in May Pen.

Living in Green Island is roughly 42% more expensive than May Pen, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Green Island 33% lower, May Pen 53% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.68 JMD 1,208

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$62.8 JMD 9,878

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.72 JMD 1,372

Cappuccino

$4.42 JMD 695

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

$1.31 JMD 207

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.76 JMD 119

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.49 JMD 391

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 JMD 504

Milk (1 liter)

$4.36 JMD 686

$2.21 JMD 348

97.29%

White Bread (500g)

$3.67 JMD 577

$3.71 JMD 584

-1.08%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.55 JMD 244

$3.15 JMD 496

-50.79%

Eggs

$3.57 JMD 562

$3.33 JMD 524

7.21%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.26 JMD 1,771

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.44 JMD 1,013

$7.41 JMD 1,166

-13.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.67 JMD 1,206

$5.04 JMD 792

52.18%

Apples (1kg)

$5.89 JMD 927

$1.58 JMD 249

272.78%

Banana (1kg)

$3.09 JMD 486

$4.99 JMD 785

-38.08%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.21 JMD 662

$6.20 JMD 975

-32.10%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.89 JMD 455

$1.85 JMD 292

56.22%

Potato (1kg)

$2.10 JMD 331

$1.91 JMD 301

9.95%

Onion (1kg)

$2.01 JMD 317

$1.92 JMD 302

4.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.13 JMD 493

$3.10 JMD 488

0.97%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 JMD 228

$2.89 JMD 455

-49.83%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.83 JMD 1,389

Wine (Bottle)

$11.34 JMD 1,784

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.78 JMD 437

$2.16 JMD 340

28.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.05 JMD 480

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.83 JMD 131

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.07 JMD 168

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.25 JMD 512

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.17 JMD 970

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 JMD 203

$1.36 JMD 214

-5.15%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$42.3K JMD 6.7M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$33.3K JMD 5.2M

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

$165 JMD 25.9K

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

$22.16 JMD 3,486

$43.00 JMD 6,763

-48.47%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.98 JMD 7,862

$39.76 JMD 6,254

25.70%

Cinema Ticket

$13.07 JMD 2,055

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$224 JMD 35.3K

$318 JMD 50.0K

-29.40%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,478 JMD 389.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.45 JMD 4,160

$15.93 JMD 2,505

66.04%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.69 JMD 4,041

$21.77 JMD 3,425

18.01%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.9 JMD 11.0K

$41.01 JMD 6,450

70.32%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.3 JMD 11.8K

$53.7 JMD 8,440

40.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$177 JMD 27.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$221 JMD 34.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$574 JMD 90.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$433 JMD 68.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.15

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

Last update for Green Island: June 9, 2026

Last update for May Pen: 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

Green Island vs May Pen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Green Island and May Pen differ by about 42% in total monthly costs ($899 vs $634 including rent). May Pen is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $1,348 in Green Island and $952 in May Pen 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.

Childcare runs $224 in Green Island versus $318 in May Pen. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

All in, you'll spend $899 per month in Green Island versus $634 in May Pen – a 42% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though May Pen gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Expats usually find May Pen gentler on the wallet – expenses run 42% less than in Green Island. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.