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: $1,461 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: Kingston 8% above, Saint Ann's Bay 1% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.37 JMD 1,167
$7.52 JMD 1,190
-1.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.9 JMD 9,795
$49.83 JMD 7,887
24.20%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.89 JMD 1,407
$8.91 JMD 1,410
-0.22%
Cappuccino
$4.39 JMD 695
$4.41 JMD 698
-0.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 JMD 218
$1.36 JMD 215
1.47%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 JMD 112
$0.72 JMD 114
-1.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.44 JMD 387
$2.46 JMD 389
-0.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 JMD 500
$3.21 JMD 509
-1.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$4.33 JMD 686
$4.43 JMD 701
-2.26%
White Bread (500g)
$3.66 JMD 579
$2.65 JMD 420
38.11%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.57 JMD 249
$1.60 JMD 253
-1.88%
Eggs
$3.43 JMD 543
$3.44 JMD 545
-0.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.85 JMD 1,717
$11.25 JMD 1,780
-3.56%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.53 JMD 1,033
$6.53 JMD 1,033
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.43 JMD 1,177
$7.55 JMD 1,195
-1.59%
Apples (1kg)
$6.10 JMD 965
$6.05 JMD 957
0.83%
Banana (1kg)
$3.08 JMD 488
$3.10 JMD 491
-0.65%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.12 JMD 653
$4.16 JMD 658
-0.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.92 JMD 462
$3.02 JMD 478
-3.31%
Potato (1kg)
$2.01 JMD 319
$2.10 JMD 332
-4.29%
Onion (1kg)
$1.98 JMD 314
$2.00 JMD 316
-1.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.99 JMD 473
$2.97 JMD 469
0.67%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.46 JMD 230
$1.16 JMD 183
25.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.64 JMD 1,367
$8.80 JMD 1,393
-1.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.31 JMD 1,790
$11.35 JMD 1,796
-0.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.86 JMD 453
$2.81 JMD 445
1.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21 JMD 508
$3.15 JMD 499
1.90%
🚌 Getting Around
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 JMD 137
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$48.18 JMD 7,626
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.12 JMD 178
$0.97 JMD 153
15.46%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.25 JMD 514
$3.27 JMD 517
-0.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.43 JMD 1,018
$6.31 JMD 999
1.90%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 JMD 194
$1.24 JMD 195
-1.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.4K JMD 6.9M
$23.6K JMD 3.7M
83.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.3K JMD 5.3M
$17.2K JMD 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)
$160 JMD 25.4K
$166 JMD 26.3K
-3.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.77 JMD 3,445
$22.26 JMD 3,523
-2.20%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.2 JMD 8,096
$51.9 JMD 8,211
-1.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$69.7 JMD 11.0K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.70 JMD 2,485
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.94 JMD 2,049
$12.92 JMD 2,045
0.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$230 JMD 36.5K
$230 JMD 36.4K
0.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,450 JMD 387.7K
$2,517 JMD 398.4K
-2.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.54 JMD 4,200
$26.36 JMD 4,172
0.68%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.83 JMD 4,087
$26.02 JMD 4,118
-0.73%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$72.3 JMD 11.4K
$68.9 JMD 10.9K
4.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.9 JMD 12.2K
$76.6 JMD 12.1K
0.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$886 JMD 140.2K
$495 JMD 78.4K
78.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$453 JMD 71.7K
$475 JMD 75.2K
-4.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,021 JMD 319.8K
$1,000 JMD 158.2K
102.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,188 JMD 188.0K
$829 JMD 131.3K
43.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,809 JMD 444.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,237 JMD 354.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$750 JMD 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.

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