Cost of Living Comparison Between Jamaica and MexicoCost of Living Comparison Between Jamaica and Mexico
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $717 per month in Jamaica vs $1,123 in Mexico, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,182 per month in Jamaica vs $1,789 in Mexico, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,646 per month in Jamaica vs $2,455 in Mexico, rent included.
🙂Jamaica is roughly 36% cheaper than Mexico on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Jamaica and Mexico are more affordable than the global median – Jamaica47% lower, Mexico16% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jamaica
Mexico
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.75JMD 1,374
$10.44MX$182
-16.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.1JMD 9,904
$42.03MX$734
50.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.06JMD 1,265
$8.16MX$143
-1.23%
Cappuccino
$3.79JMD 595
$3.36MX$58.6
12.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.22JMD 192
$1.33MX$23.24
-8.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75JMD 118
$0.91MX$15.84
-17.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.55JMD 401
$2.33MX$40.71
9.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09JMD 485
$4.26MX$74.5
-27.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jamaica
Mexico
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.64JMD 571
$1.53MX$26.70
137.91%
White Bread(500g)
$2.96JMD 465
$2.58MX$45.16
14.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.54JMD 241
$1.75MX$30.49
-12.00%
Eggs
$3.36JMD 528
$2.39MX$41.83
40.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.06JMD 1,737
$8.37MX$146
32.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.71JMD 1,211
$7.87MX$138
-2.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.72JMD 1,212
$10.74MX$188
-28.12%
Apples(1kg)
$6.12JMD 961
$2.83MX$49.39
116.25%
Banana(1kg)
$3.57JMD 561
$1.46MX$25.48
144.52%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.12JMD 647
$1.92MX$33.48
114.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.18JMD 342
$1.87MX$32.71
16.58%
Potato(1kg)
$2.34JMD 367
$1.99MX$34.79
17.59%
Onion(1kg)
$2.12JMD 333
$2.08MX$36.28
1.92%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.24JMD 352
$1.32MX$23.09
69.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25JMD 196
$1.01MX$17.69
23.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.35JMD 1,468
$4.28MX$74.9
118.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.49JMD 1,961
$11.48MX$201
8.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.55JMD 400
$1.60MX$28.00
59.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03JMD 475
$2.94MX$51.3
3.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Jamaica
Mexico
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.97JMD 153
$0.65MX$11.28
49.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$48.74JMD 7,653
$26.49MX$463
83.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.91JMD 143
$2.57MX$44.95
-64.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.10JMD 487
$1.97MX$34.33
57.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.20JMD 1,287
$10.46MX$183
-21.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33JMD 209
$1.30MX$22.78
2.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.0KJMD 6.6M
$20.4KMX$357.1K
105.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2KJMD 5.1M
$23.0KMX$401.3K
40.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jamaica
Mexico
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$139JMD 21.8K
$62.3MX$1,089
122.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.71JMD 3,565
$23.43MX$409
-3.07%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.34JMD 7,276
$28.55MX$499
62.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jamaica
Mexico
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.3JMD 9,000
$35.43MX$619
61.78%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.39JMD 1,632
$18.25MX$319
-43.07%
Cinema Ticket
$12.63JMD 1,984
$4.63MX$80.9
172.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jamaica
Mexico
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$221JMD 34.8K
$252MX$4,408
-12.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,588JMD 563.4K
$5,610MX$98.0K
-36.05%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jamaica
Mexico
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.05JMD 4,090
$51.6MX$901
-49.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.62JMD 3,709
$40.05MX$700
-41.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.2JMD 10.2K
$92.9MX$1,623
-29.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.4JMD 12.8K
$89.3MX$1,560
-8.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jamaica
Mexico
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$670JMD 105.1K
$652MX$11.4K
2.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$353JMD 55.4K
$455MX$7,947
-22.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,475JMD 231.7K
$1,223MX$21.4K
20.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$895JMD 140.5K
$872MX$15.2K
2.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,708JMD 425.2K
$2,613MX$45.6K
3.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,092JMD 485.5K
$1,574MX$27.5K
96.46%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jamaica
Mexico
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$754JMD 118.4K
$792MX$13.8K
-4.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.34
11.45
-27.16%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jamaica: June 7, 2026
Last update for Mexico: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $203 in Jamaica vs $529 in Mexico. For reference, capital cities sit at $886 in Kingston and $995 in Mexico City.
💰Average salary: $750 in Jamaica vs $769 in Mexico. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 161% higher in Mexico.
⭐Dining out costs 10% more in Jamaica.
⭐Public transport is 175% more expensive in Mexico.
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
Jamaica vs Mexico: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is cheaper: Jamaica or Mexico?
Jamaica is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 113% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Is rent more expensive in Jamaica or Mexico?
Housing costs more in Mexico, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Mexico consistently has higher rents.
How do daily expenses compare in Jamaica vs Mexico?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Jamaica, contributing to the overall 113% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Can you live in both Jamaica and Mexico on $1,000 per month?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Jamaica, but in Mexico it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Which country is better for expats: Jamaica or Mexico?
Jamaica is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.