Cost of Living Comparison Between Kingston and Saint Ann's Bay Cost of Living Comparison Between Kingston and Saint Ann's Bay

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,459 in Kingston versus $1,348 in Saint Ann's Bay.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,444 in Kingston versus $2,019 in Saint Ann's Bay.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,429 in Kingston versus $2,690 in Saint Ann's Bay.

Living in Kingston is roughly 8% more expensive than in Saint Ann's Bay, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Kingston 10% above, Saint Ann's Bay 1% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.57 JMD 1,191
$7.54 JMD 1,186
0.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.2 JMD 9,935
$49.85 JMD 7,840
26.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.95 JMD 1,408
$8.82 JMD 1,387
1.47%
Cappuccino
$4.46 JMD 702
$4.41 JMD 694
1.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37 JMD 215
$1.35 JMD 213
1.48%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 JMD 118
$0.75 JMD 118
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.43 JMD 383
$2.45 JMD 385
-0.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14 JMD 494
$3.08 JMD 484
1.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$4.18 JMD 658
$4.30 JMD 676
-2.79%
White Bread (500g)
$3.54 JMD 557
$2.75 JMD 433
28.73%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.54 JMD 243
$1.55 JMD 244
-0.65%
Eggs
$3.52 JMD 554
$3.61 JMD 568
-2.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.04 JMD 1,736
$11.08 JMD 1,743
-0.36%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.48 JMD 1,019
$6.30 JMD 990
2.86%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.81 JMD 1,228
$7.51 JMD 1,181
3.99%
Apples (1kg)
$5.95 JMD 936
$6.15 JMD 967
-3.25%
Banana (1kg)
$3.14 JMD 494
$3.09 JMD 485
1.62%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.33 JMD 681
$4.20 JMD 660
3.10%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.92 JMD 459
$3.00 JMD 471
-2.67%
Potato (1kg)
$2.09 JMD 328
$2.05 JMD 322
1.95%
Onion (1kg)
$2.02 JMD 318
$2.00 JMD 314
1.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.97 JMD 467
$3.11 JMD 489
-4.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.44 JMD 227
$1.11 JMD 174
29.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.72 JMD 1,371
$8.98 JMD 1,413
-2.90%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.29 JMD 1,776
$11.45 JMD 1,801
-1.40%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.78 JMD 438
$2.88 JMD 454
-3.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15 JMD 496
$3.10 JMD 488
1.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.82 JMD 129
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$49.33 JMD 7,760
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.07 JMD 168
$0.92 JMD 145
16.30%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.20 JMD 503
$3.13 JMD 493
2.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.39 JMD 1,005
$6.22 JMD 979
2.73%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.23 JMD 194
$1.28 JMD 202
-3.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.7K JMD 6.7M
$23.8K JMD 3.7M
79.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.0K JMD 5.4M
$17.4K JMD 2.7M
95.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$164 JMD 25.8K
$164 JMD 25.8K
-0.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.77 JMD 3,424
$21.88 JMD 3,441
-0.50%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.7 JMD 8,132
$51.1 JMD 8,033
1.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$69.6 JMD 10.9K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.93 JMD 2,506
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.03 JMD 2,049
$13.38 JMD 2,104
-2.62%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$223 JMD 35.0K
$223 JMD 35.1K
-0.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,512 JMD 395.1K
$2,512 JMD 395.1K
0.01%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.87 JMD 4,069
$26.02 JMD 4,092
-0.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.40 JMD 3,996
$25.86 JMD 4,068
-1.78%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$69.9 JMD 11.0K
$68.0 JMD 10.7K
2.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.3 JMD 12.0K
$76.4 JMD 12.0K
-0.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$909 JMD 143.0K
$511 JMD 80.3K
77.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$463 JMD 72.8K
$476 JMD 74.9K
-2.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 JMD 319.0K
$991 JMD 155.9K
104.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,174 JMD 184.6K
$815 JMD 128.2K
44.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,784 JMD 437.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,164 JMD 340.3K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$733 JMD 115.3K
-
-
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: July 26, 2026

Last update for Saint Ann's Bay: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $909 in Kingston and $511 in Saint Ann's Bay. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $63.0 in Kingston vs $50.0 in Saint Ann's Bay for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $349 vs $339 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 8% 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 and in Saint Ann's Bay?
You'd need roughly $2,188 in Kingston and $2,022 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 compared to Saint Ann's Bay?
Rent for a central apartment: $909 in Kingston versus $511 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 in 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 $1,459 per month in Kingston versus $1,348 in Saint Ann's Bay – a 8% 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 in Saint Ann's Bay?
At $1,348 in Saint Ann's Bay versus $1,459 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 8% less than in Kingston. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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