Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Bahamas Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Bahamas

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,626 in United States versus $654 in Bahamas.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,830 in United States versus $1,138 in Bahamas.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,033 in United States versus $1,622 in Bahamas.

Living in United States is roughly 302% more expensive than in Bahamas on average.

United States (90% above) and Bahamas (53% below) straddle the global median.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Bahamas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.83 $19.83
$48.16 BSD 48.16
-58.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8 $78.8
$167 BSD 167
-52.88%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.19 $12.19
$12.03 BSD 12.03
1.33%
Cappuccino
$5.59 $5.59
$5.21 BSD 5.21
7.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 $2.78
$3.13 BSD 3.13
-11.18%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.91 BSD 1.91
14.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.86 $5.86
$5.14 BSD 5.14
14.01%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.02 $8.02
$8.23 BSD 8.23
-2.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Bahamas
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.07 $1.07
$4.48 BSD 4.48
-76.12%
White Bread (500g)
$3.68 $3.68
$5.22 BSD 5.22
-29.50%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.66 $4.66
$5.95 BSD 5.95
-21.68%
Eggs
$4.20 $4.20
$8.31 BSD 8.31
-49.46%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.78 $12.78
$11.28 BSD 11.28
13.30%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.40 $12.40
$13.35 BSD 13.35
-7.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.90 $16.90
$17.79 BSD 17.79
-5.00%
Apples (1kg)
$5.23 $5.23
$5.74 BSD 5.74
-8.89%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 $1.66
$3.78 BSD 3.78
-56.08%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$5.18 BSD 5.18
-16.41%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$9.14 BSD 9.14
-45.73%
Potato (1kg)
$2.82 $2.82
$3.13 BSD 3.13
-9.90%
Onion (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$3.79 BSD 3.79
-17.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.19 $2.19
$4.33 BSD 4.33
-49.42%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 $2.26
$2.76 BSD 2.76
-18.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.35 $10.35
$15.23 BSD 15.23
-32.04%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.81 $14.81
$29.52 BSD 29.52
-49.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09 $2.09
$4.62 BSD 4.62
-54.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 $3.65
$3.93 BSD 3.93
-7.12%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Bahamas
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.38 $2.38
$2.45 BSD 2.45
-2.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.5 $64.5
$150 BSD 150
-57.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.54 $3.54
$8.18 BSD 8.18
-56.72%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 $1.86
$2.97 BSD 2.97
-37.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.34 $30.34
$50.2 BSD 50.2
-39.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.00 $1.00
$1.46 BSD 1.46
-31.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K $35.5K
$30.5K BSD 30.5K
16.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$43.8K BSD 43.8K
-40.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Bahamas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$222 $222
$330 BSD 330
-32.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.1 $61.1
$65.5 BSD 65.5
-6.63%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.7 $74.7
$105 BSD 105
-29.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Bahamas
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.49 $44.49
$114 BSD 114
-60.83%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.35 $22.35
$41.97 BSD 41.97
-46.75%
Cinema Ticket
$15.03 $15.03
$20.18 BSD 20.18
-25.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Bahamas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,431 $1,431
$985 BSD 985
45.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.9K $25.9K
$16.0K BSD 16.0K
61.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Bahamas
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.6 $53.6
$60.3 BSD 60.3
-11.14%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.46 $43.46
$84.1 BSD 84.1
-48.29%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 $91.5
$120 BSD 120
-24.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$127 BSD 127
-10.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Bahamas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,633 $1,633
$1,287 BSD 1,287
26.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,328 $1,328
$1,292 BSD 1,292
2.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,606 $2,606
$3,471 BSD 3,471
-24.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,206 $2,206
$3,737 BSD 3,737
-40.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,323 $3,323
$4,153 BSD 4,153
-19.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,653 $2,653
$3,268 BSD 3,268
-18.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Bahamas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,306 $4,306
$2,620 BSD 2,620
64.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.21
9.92
-37.40%

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

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Last update for Bahamas: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $1,604 in United States, $253 in Bahamas. Capital cities: $1,360 in Columbia, TN vs $1,490 in Nassau.

National salary averages: $4,526 in United States, $2,354 in Bahamas. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 534% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 200% more in United States.

Public transport is 238% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 92% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Bahamas.

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
United States vs Bahamas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the cost of living in Bahamas compare to the cost in United States?
At $2,175 per month in Bahamas and $3,142 in United States, there's a 44% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
How do daily expenses compare in Bahamas vs United States?
Day-to-day life is simply cheaper in Bahamas: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Is rent more expensive in Bahamas or in United States?
Rent in United States is consistently higher than in Bahamas across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Can you live in both Bahamas and United States on $3,000 per month?
In Bahamas, $3,000 covers most cities easily; in United States it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Which country is better for expats: Bahamas or United States?
It depends on what you're after: Bahamas wins on affordability; United States may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.

United States vs other spots: cost of living compared

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