😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,102 in Portmore versus $875 in Alexandria.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,849 in Portmore versus $1,419 in Alexandria.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,595 in Portmore versus $1,962 in Alexandria.
🌍Living in Portmore is roughly 26% more expensive than in Alexandria, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Portmore17% lower, Alexandria34% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Portmore
Alexandria
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.80JMD 755
$7.69JMD 1,209
-37.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4JMD 9,810
$63.2JMD 9,941
-1.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.68JMD 1,365
$8.66JMD 1,361
0.23%
Cappuccino
$4.41JMD 693
$4.39JMD 690
0.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63JMD 98.7
$1.38JMD 217
-54.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50JMD 78.9
$0.69JMD 109
-27.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.84JMD 289
$2.44JMD 384
-24.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25JMD 354
$3.06JMD 481
-26.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Portmore
Alexandria
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.10JMD 487
$4.23JMD 665
-26.71%
White Bread(500g)
$3.55JMD 558
$3.59JMD 564
-1.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.02JMD 160
$1.56JMD 246
-34.62%
Eggs
$3.58JMD 563
$3.59JMD 565
-0.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.86JMD 1,707
$10.89JMD 1,712
-0.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.19JMD 973
$6.47JMD 1,017
-4.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.48JMD 1,175
$7.57JMD 1,189
-1.19%
Apples(1kg)
$5.91JMD 929
$6.19JMD 973
-4.52%
Banana(1kg)
$2.99JMD 470
$3.01JMD 473
-0.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.88JMD 453
$4.26JMD 670
-32.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.04JMD 478
$2.96JMD 465
2.70%
Potato(1kg)
$2.10JMD 330
$2.00JMD 315
5.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.92JMD 302
$1.94JMD 304
-1.03%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.52JMD 239
$3.10JMD 487
-50.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27JMD 200
$1.46JMD 229
-13.01%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.66JMD 1,361
$8.91JMD 1,401
-2.81%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.16JMD 1,754
$11.42JMD 1,796
-2.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80JMD 440
$2.79JMD 438
0.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13JMD 335
$3.19JMD 501
-33.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Portmore
Alexandria
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.59JMD 250
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$63.4JMD 9,968
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.93JMD 146
$1.12JMD 176
-16.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.22JMD 507
$3.16JMD 497
1.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.43JMD 1,011
$6.38JMD 1,003
0.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09JMD 171
$1.24JMD 195
-12.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.4KJMD 6.7M
$42.3KJMD 6.7M
0.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.6KJMD 5.3M
$34.1KJMD 5.4M
-1.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Portmore
Alexandria
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$156JMD 24.6K
$161JMD 25.3K
-2.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.70JMD 3,411
$22.05JMD 3,466
-1.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.4JMD 8,082
$50.3JMD 7,902
2.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Portmore
Alexandria
Difference
Cinema Ticket
$13.24JMD 2,081
$12.94JMD 2,035
2.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Portmore
Alexandria
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$227JMD 35.6K
$223JMD 35.0K
1.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,450JMD 385.1K
$2,485JMD 390.6K
-1.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Portmore
Alexandria
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.67JMD 4,035
$26.59JMD 4,179
-3.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.00JMD 4,087
$25.10JMD 3,945
3.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.3JMD 11.2K
$71.0JMD 11.2K
0.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.3JMD 12.2K
$77.3JMD 12.2K
-0.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Portmore
Alexandria
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$310JMD 48.8K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$223JMD 35.0K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$661JMD 103.9K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$583JMD 91.7K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,530JMD 1.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,860JMD 921.2K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Portmore
Alexandria
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,312JMD 206.3K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
9.15
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Portmore: July 26, 2026
Last update for Alexandria: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $62.0 in Portmore vs $63.0 in Alexandria for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $317 vs $350 per month, with Portmore 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
Portmore vs Alexandria: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Portmore and in Alexandria?
Portmore and Alexandria differ by about 26% in total monthly costs ($1,102 vs $875 including rent). Alexandria is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Portmore compared to Alexandria?
You'd need roughly $1,653 in Portmore and $1,313 in Alexandria 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.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Portmore and Alexandria?
Childcare runs $227 in Portmore versus $223 in Alexandria. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Alexandria – a meal for two runs $63.0 versus $62.0 in Portmore. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $875 in Alexandria versus $1,102 in Portmore, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Alexandria but tight or insufficient in Portmore. The gap between the two cities makes Alexandria the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Portmore and Alexandria?
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.
Where should expats move: Portmore or Alexandria?
Expats usually find Alexandria gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Portmore. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.