😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $6,176 in Saint John Island versus $844 in Saint Croix.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $8,284 in Saint John Island versus $1,716 in Saint Croix.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $10.4K in Saint John Island versus $2,587 in Saint Croix.
🌍Living in Saint John Island is roughly 632% more expensive than in Saint Croix, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Saint John Island is 348% above, Saint Croix is 39% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Saint John Island
Saint Croix
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$70.4$70.4
$39.60$39.60
77.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$147$147
$147$147
0.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.83$14.83
$9.93$9.93
49.35%
Cappuccino
$8.91$8.91
$7.57$7.57
17.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57$3.57
$3.20$3.20
11.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46$3.46
$2.97$2.97
16.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.97$4.97
$5.85$5.85
-15.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.01$7.01
$8.20$8.20
-14.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Saint John Island
Saint Croix
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.09$3.09
$2.47$2.47
25.10%
White Bread(500g)
$8.07$8.07
$7.06$7.06
14.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$11.94$11.94
$10.99$10.99
8.64%
Eggs
$11.83$11.83
$8.43$8.43
40.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$32.10$32.10
$21.83$21.83
47.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$33.70$33.70
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$24.26$24.26
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$22.15$22.15
$10.91$10.91
103.02%
Banana(1kg)
$3.90$3.90
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$17.88$17.88
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$11.87$11.87
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$7.93$7.93
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$7.76$7.76
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.94$4.94
$6.10$6.10
-19.02%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.60$3.60
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.11$9.11
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$22.66$22.66
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.44$4.44
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.82$5.82
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Saint John Island
Saint Croix
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$7.06$7.06
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$148$148
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$29.71$29.71
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$50.7$50.7
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.56$1.56
$0.98$0.98
59.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$46.6K$46.6K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$53.7K$53.7K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Saint John Island
Saint Croix
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$295$295
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$99.9$99.9
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$101$101
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Saint John Island
Saint Croix
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$79.4$79.4
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.17$49.17
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.9$83.9
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.6$99.6
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Saint John Island
Saint Croix
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,004$4,004
$2,464$2,464
62.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$3,552$3,552
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,928$4,928
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$4,422$4,422
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Saint John Island
Saint Croix
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,507$4,507
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Saint John Island: September 6, 2026
Last update for Saint Croix: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $4,004 in Saint John Island and $2,464 in Saint Croix. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $147 in Saint John Island vs $147 in Saint Croix. Groceries flip the comparison at $991 vs $317, with Saint Croix cheaper for home cooking.
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
Saint John Island vs Saint Croix: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Saint John Island and in Saint Croix?
Saint John Island and Saint Croix differ by about 632% in total monthly costs ($6,176 vs $844 including rent). Saint Croix is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Saint John Island compared to Saint Croix?
You'd need roughly $9,264 in Saint John Island and $1,266 in Saint Croix 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 do apartment prices compare in Saint John Island and in Saint Croix?
Rent for a central apartment: $4,004 in Saint John Island versus $2,464 in Saint Croix. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Saint Croix – a meal for two runs $147 versus $147 in Saint John Island. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Saint John Island or Saint Croix?
All in, you'll spend $6,176 per month in Saint John Island versus $844 in Saint Croix – a 632% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Saint Croix is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Saint John Island and Saint Croix?
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.
Is Saint John Island or Saint Croix safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Saint John Island and Saint Croix are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Saint John Island or Saint Croix?
Expats usually find Saint Croix gentler on the wallet – expenses run 632% less than in Saint John Island. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Saint John Island vs other spots: cost of living compared