Cost of Living Comparison Between Saint John Island and St John Cost of Living Comparison Between Saint John Island and St John

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $6,195 in Saint John Island versus $317 in St John.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $8,291 in Saint John Island versus $1,408 in St John.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $10.4K in Saint John Island versus $2,500 in St John.

Living in Saint John Island is roughly 1854% more expensive than in St John, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Saint John Island is 351% above, St John is 77% below.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$70.5 $70.5

$20.02 $20.02

251.90%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$149 $149

$177 $177

-16.04%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.20 $15.20

Cappuccino

$9.08 $9.08

$7.16 $7.16

26.82%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.40 $3.40

$2.95 $2.95

15.25%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.46 $3.46

$2.02 $2.02

71.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.15 $5.15

$7.82 $7.82

-34.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.95 $6.95

$7.94 $7.94

-12.47%

Milk (1 liter)

$3.26 $3.26

White Bread (500g)

$8.07 $8.07

Rice (white) (1kg)

$11.94 $11.94

Eggs

$12.09 $12.09

Local Cheese (1kg)

$32.24 $32.24

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$32.75 $32.75

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$24.22 $24.22

Apples (1kg)

$22.01 $22.01

Banana (1kg)

$3.96 $3.96

Oranges (1kg)

$17.61 $17.61

Tomato (1kg)

$12.22 $12.22

Potato (1kg)

$7.60 $7.60

Onion (1kg)

$7.57 $7.57

Lettuce (1 head)

$4.89 $4.89

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.42 $3.42

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.04 $9.04

Wine (Bottle)

$22.77 $22.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.45 $4.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.94 $5.94

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$7.18 $7.18

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$152 $152

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$29.66 $29.66

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$50.0 $50.0

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 $1.57

$1.63 $1.63

-3.68%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$48.4K $48.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$53.3K $53.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$298 $298

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$99.4 $99.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$101 $101

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.5K $13.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$81.3 $81.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.58 $49.58

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.2 $86.2

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 $102

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,977 $3,977

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,477 $3,477

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,953 $4,953

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,570 $4,570

$989 $989

362.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$13.0K $13.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,574 $4,574

$4,027 $4,027

13.59%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.05

-0.71%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Saint John Island: September 1, 2026

Last update for St John: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Saint John Island pays 14% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $149 in Saint John Island vs $177 in St John for two.

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 St John: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

St John wins on cost – living expenses run 1854% lower than in Saint John Island. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making St John the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

Average pay runs 14% higher in Saint John Island, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Dining out is cheaper in St John – a meal for two runs $177 versus $149 in Saint John Island. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $6,195 per month in Saint John Island versus $317 in St John – a 1854% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $317 in St John versus $6,195 in Saint John Island, a $2,000 budget is realistic in St John but tight or insufficient in Saint John Island. The gap between the two cities makes St John the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

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.

Safety-wise, Saint John Island and St John are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find St John gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1854% less than in Saint John Island. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.