😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,461 in Kingston versus $1,360 in Saint Ann's Bay.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,447 in Kingston versus $2,028 in Saint Ann's Bay.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,432 in Kingston versus $2,695 in Saint Ann's Bay.
😐Living in Kingston is roughly 7% more expensive than Saint Ann's Bay, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Kingston8% above, Saint Ann's Bay1% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.37JMD 1,167
$7.52JMD 1,190
-1.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.9JMD 9,795
$49.83JMD 7,887
24.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.89JMD 1,407
$8.91JMD 1,410
-0.22%
Cappuccino
$4.39JMD 695
$4.41JMD 698
-0.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38JMD 218
$1.36JMD 215
1.47%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71JMD 112
$0.72JMD 114
-1.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.44JMD 387
$2.46JMD 389
-0.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16JMD 500
$3.21JMD 509
-1.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.33JMD 686
$4.43JMD 701
-2.26%
White Bread(500g)
$3.66JMD 579
$2.65JMD 420
38.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.57JMD 249
$1.60JMD 253
-1.88%
Eggs
$3.43JMD 543
$3.44JMD 545
-0.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.85JMD 1,717
$11.25JMD 1,780
-3.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.53JMD 1,033
$6.53JMD 1,033
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.43JMD 1,177
$7.55JMD 1,195
-1.59%
Apples(1kg)
$6.10JMD 965
$6.05JMD 957
0.83%
Banana(1kg)
$3.08JMD 488
$3.10JMD 491
-0.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.12JMD 653
$4.16JMD 658
-0.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.92JMD 462
$3.02JMD 478
-3.31%
Potato(1kg)
$2.01JMD 319
$2.10JMD 332
-4.29%
Onion(1kg)
$1.98JMD 314
$2.00JMD 316
-1.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.99JMD 473
$2.97JMD 469
0.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.46JMD 230
$1.16JMD 183
25.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.64JMD 1,367
$8.80JMD 1,393
-1.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.31JMD 1,790
$11.35JMD 1,796
-0.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.86JMD 453
$2.81JMD 445
1.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21JMD 508
$3.15JMD 499
1.90%
🚌 Getting Around
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.87JMD 137
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$48.18JMD 7,626
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.12JMD 178
$0.97JMD 153
15.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.25JMD 514
$3.27JMD 517
-0.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.43JMD 1,018
$6.31JMD 999
1.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22JMD 194
$1.24JMD 195
-1.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.4KJMD 6.9M
$23.6KJMD 3.7M
83.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.3KJMD 5.3M
$17.2KJMD 2.7M
93.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$160JMD 25.4K
$166JMD 26.3K
-3.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.77JMD 3,445
$22.26JMD 3,523
-2.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.2JMD 8,096
$51.9JMD 8,211
-1.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$69.7JMD 11.0K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.70JMD 2,485
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.94JMD 2,049
$12.92JMD 2,045
0.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$230JMD 36.5K
$230JMD 36.4K
0.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,450JMD 387.7K
$2,517JMD 398.4K
-2.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.54JMD 4,200
$26.36JMD 4,172
0.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.83JMD 4,087
$26.02JMD 4,118
-0.73%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.3JMD 11.4K
$68.9JMD 10.9K
4.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.9JMD 12.2K
$76.6JMD 12.1K
0.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$886JMD 140.2K
$495JMD 78.4K
78.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$453JMD 71.7K
$475JMD 75.2K
-4.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,021JMD 319.8K
$1,000JMD 158.2K
102.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,188JMD 188.0K
$829JMD 131.3K
43.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,809JMD 444.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,237JMD 354.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$750JMD 118.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
4
128.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kingston: April 13, 2026
Last update for Saint Ann's Bay: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $886 in Kingston and $495 in Saint Ann's Bay. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $62 in Kingston vs $50 in Saint Ann's Bay for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $350 vs $340 per month, with Saint Ann's Bay 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
Kingston vs Saint Ann's Bay: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kingston or Saint Ann's Bay?
Saint Ann's Bay wins on cost – living expenses run 7% lower than in Kingston. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Saint Ann's Bay the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Kingston vs Saint Ann's Bay?
You'd need roughly $2,192 in Kingston and $2,040 in Saint Ann's 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.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Kingston vs Saint Ann's Bay?
Rent for a central apartment: $886 in Kingston versus $495 in Saint Ann's Bay. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Kingston or Saint Ann's Bay?
Supermarket bills run roughly 3% higher in Kingston. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Kingston compared to Saint Ann's Bay?
All in, you'll spend $1,461 per month in Kingston versus $1,360 in Saint Ann's Bay – a 7% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Kingston or Saint Ann's Bay?
At $1,360 in Saint Ann's Bay versus $1,461 in Kingston, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Saint Ann's Bay but tight or insufficient in Kingston. The gap between the two cities makes Saint Ann's Bay the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Kingston or Saint Ann's Bay?
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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Saint Ann's Bay gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Kingston. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.