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: $1,454 in Kingston versus $1,362 in Saint Ann's Bay.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,432 in Kingston versus $2,027 in Saint Ann's Bay.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,409 in Kingston versus $2,692 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
$7.54 JMD 1,186
$7.38 JMD 1,161
2.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3 JMD 9,964
$50.3 JMD 7,909
25.95%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.76 JMD 1,378
$8.91 JMD 1,401
-1.68%
Cappuccino
$4.44 JMD 699
$4.38 JMD 690
1.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31 JMD 206
$1.36 JMD 214
-3.68%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 JMD 109
$0.71 JMD 111
-2.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.57 JMD 404
$2.46 JMD 386
4.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08 JMD 485
$3.10 JMD 488
-0.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$4.32 JMD 680
$4.34 JMD 682
-0.46%
White Bread (500g)
$3.54 JMD 557
$2.75 JMD 433
28.73%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.61 JMD 253
$1.55 JMD 245
3.87%
Eggs
$3.50 JMD 550
$3.48 JMD 548
0.57%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.10 JMD 1,746
$11.20 JMD 1,762
-0.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.50 JMD 1,022
$6.22 JMD 978
4.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.79 JMD 1,225
$7.47 JMD 1,175
4.28%
Apples (1kg)
$6.15 JMD 967
$6.15 JMD 968
-
Banana (1kg)
$3.06 JMD 481
$3.04 JMD 479
0.66%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.33 JMD 681
$4.24 JMD 667
2.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.00 JMD 472
$3.03 JMD 477
-0.99%
Potato (1kg)
$2.05 JMD 322
$2.09 JMD 328
-1.91%
Onion (1kg)
$1.91 JMD 301
$1.98 JMD 312
-3.54%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.13 JMD 492
$2.99 JMD 470
4.68%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.45 JMD 228
$1.15 JMD 182
26.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.00 JMD 1,416
$8.83 JMD 1,388
1.93%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.59 JMD 1,824
$11.49 JMD 1,807
0.87%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.86 JMD 450
$2.75 JMD 432
4.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08 JMD 485
$3.17 JMD 498
-2.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.89 JMD 140
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$49.88 JMD 7,845
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.08 JMD 170
$0.97 JMD 153
11.34%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.16 JMD 497
$3.12 JMD 491
1.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.17 JMD 971
$6.38 JMD 1,004
-3.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24 JMD 195
$1.28 JMD 201
-3.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.8K JMD 6.7M
$23.9K JMD 3.8M
79.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.5K JMD 5.3M
$17.4K JMD 2.7M
92.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$165 JMD 25.9K
$165 JMD 25.9K
-0.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.76 JMD 3,423
$22.42 JMD 3,527
-2.94%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.9 JMD 8,163
$50.1 JMD 7,878
3.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$69.4 JMD 10.9K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.47 JMD 2,434
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.21 JMD 2,078
$13.37 JMD 2,103
-1.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$228 JMD 35.9K
$228 JMD 35.8K
0.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,456 JMD 386.3K
$2,501 JMD 393.4K
-1.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.42 JMD 4,156
$25.88 JMD 4,071
2.09%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.61 JMD 4,028
$25.88 JMD 4,071
-1.04%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$69.9 JMD 11.0K
$69.8 JMD 11.0K
0.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.6 JMD 12.2K
$75.8 JMD 11.9K
2.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$886 JMD 139.4K
$499 JMD 78.5K
77.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$446 JMD 70.2K
$474 JMD 74.6K
-5.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,996 JMD 313.9K
$991 JMD 155.8K
101.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,214 JMD 190.9K
$829 JMD 130.5K
46.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,824 JMD 444.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,167 JMD 340.9K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kingston
Saint Ann's Bay
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$754 JMD 118.6K
-
-
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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Saint Ann's Bay: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $886 in Kingston and $499 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 $353 vs $338 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 $2,180 in Kingston and $2,043 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 $499 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 4% 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 $1,454 per month in Kingston versus $1,362 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 $1,362 in Saint Ann's Bay versus $1,454 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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