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