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

Name: Barbados
Address: BB

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,643 per month in United States vs $712 in Barbados, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $1,237 in Barbados, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,071 per month in United States vs $1,761 in Barbados, rent included.

United States costs about 271% more than Barbados on average — the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 97% above the global median, while Barbados is 47% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

United States has a wider regional cost range ($1,320–$5,119) than Barbados ($0–$1,988), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.23 $20.23

$20.15 BBD 40.30

0.40%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.3 $74.3

$98.1 BBD 196

-24.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.29 $11.29

$10.19 BBD 20.38

10.79%

Cappuccino

$5.12 $5.12

$4.87 BBD 9.75

5.13%

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

$2.54 $2.54

$1.80 BBD 3.59

41.11%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$1.33 BBD 2.66

59.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.84 $5.84

$2.57 BBD 5.13

127.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.86 $6.86

$3.95 BBD 7.89

73.67%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$3.55 BBD 7.10

-70.99%

White Bread (500g)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.64 BBD 5.28

41.29%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$3.96 BBD 7.92

13.89%

Eggs

$4.30 $4.30

$5.47 BBD 10.95

-21.39%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.16 $13.16

$7.85 BBD 15.71

67.64%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.40 $12.40

$10.85 BBD 21.70

14.29%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.19 $16.19

$10.36 BBD 20.72

56.27%

Apples (1kg)

$5.33 $5.33

$4.17 BBD 8.33

27.82%

Banana (1kg)

$1.73 $1.73

$3.17 BBD 6.34

-45.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.06 BBD 10.11

-9.88%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.88 $4.88

$3.95 BBD 7.90

23.54%

Potato (1kg)

$2.87 $2.87

$4.18 BBD 8.36

-31.34%

Onion (1kg)

$3.10 $3.10

$3.16 BBD 6.32

-1.90%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.24 $2.24

$2.64 BBD 5.28

-15.15%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$2.22 BBD 4.43

1.80%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.07 $10.07

$7.89 BBD 15.78

27.63%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.27 $15.27

$15.92 BBD 31.83

-4.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 $2.00

$1.75 BBD 3.50

14.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.52 $3.52

$2.96 BBD 5.91

18.92%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.57 $2.57

$1.77 BBD 3.53

45.20%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$66.0 $66.0

$24.91 BBD 49.82

164.87%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.74 $3.74

$15.10 BBD 30.20

-75.23%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.45 BBD 4.89

-30.61%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.03 $30.03

$40.30 BBD 80.6

-25.48%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 $0.93

$2.07 BBD 4.14

-55.07%

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

$30.2K $30.2K

$40.5K BBD 81.0K

-25.35%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$37.5K BBD 74.9K

-30.69%

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

$206 $206

$125 BBD 250

65.20%

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

$57.1 $57.1

$49.94 BBD 99.9

14.26%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.2 $73.2

$61.2 BBD 122

19.62%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.50 $46.50

$73.4 BBD 147

-36.64%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.07 $22.07

Cinema Ticket

$14.14 $14.14

$10.08 BBD 20.17

40.28%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,371 $1,371

$262 BBD 525

422.52%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.8K $22.8K

$7,288 BBD 14.6K

212.33%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.3 $51.3

$56.5 BBD 113

-9.05%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.27 $42.27

$38.76 BBD 77.5

9.06%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.9 $89.9

$102 BBD 205

-12.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$92.7 BBD 185

22.86%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,740 $1,740

$664 BBD 1,328

162.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,409 $1,409

$541 BBD 1,082

160.39%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,912 $2,912

$1,744 BBD 3,487

66.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,377 $2,377

$1,219 BBD 2,438

95.03%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,412 $3,412

$3,479 BBD 6,958

-1.94%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,669 $2,669

$3,450 BBD 6,901

-22.65%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,242 $4,242

$1,149 BBD 2,298

269.21%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

5.62

15.84%

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

Last update for United States: April 28, 2026

Last update for Barbados: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $198 in Barbados. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,512 in Washington, DC and $583 in Bridgetown.

Average salary: $4,494 in United States vs $1,303 in Barbados. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 726% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 97% more in United States.

Public transport is 525% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 245% higher in United States, giving Barbados stronger purchasing power.

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 Barbados: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Barbados is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 224% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Barbados, contributing to the overall 224% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$3,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Barbados, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Barbados is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.