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

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 โ€” the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

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

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

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
United States
Barbados
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.23 $20.23
$20.15 BBDย 40.30
0.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.3 $74.3
$98.1 BBDย 196
-24.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.29 $11.29
$10.19 BBDย 20.38
10.79%
Cappuccino
$5.12 $5.12
$4.87 BBDย 9.75
5.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 $2.54
$1.80 BBDย 3.59
41.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 $2.12
$1.33 BBDย 2.66
59.40%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$2.57 BBDย 5.13
127.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.86 $6.86
$3.95 BBDย 7.89
73.67%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
United States
Barbados
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.03 $1.03
$3.55 BBDย 7.10
-70.99%
White Bread (500g)
$3.73 $3.73
$2.64 BBDย 5.28
41.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$3.96 BBDย 7.92
13.89%
Eggs
$4.30 $4.30
$5.47 BBDย 10.95
-21.39%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.16 $13.16
$7.85 BBDย 15.71
67.64%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.40 $12.40
$10.85 BBDย 21.70
14.29%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.19 $16.19
$10.36 BBDย 20.72
56.27%
Apples (1kg)
$5.33 $5.33
$4.17 BBDย 8.33
27.82%
Banana (1kg)
$1.73 $1.73
$3.17 BBDย 6.34
-45.43%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.56 $4.56
$5.06 BBDย 10.11
-9.88%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$3.95 BBDย 7.90
23.54%
Potato (1kg)
$2.87 $2.87
$4.18 BBDย 8.36
-31.34%
Onion (1kg)
$3.10 $3.10
$3.16 BBDย 6.32
-1.90%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.24 $2.24
$2.64 BBDย 5.28
-15.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 $2.26
$2.22 BBDย 4.43
1.80%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.07 $10.07
$7.89 BBDย 15.78
27.63%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.27 $15.27
$15.92 BBDย 31.83
-4.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.00 $2.00
$1.75 BBDย 3.50
14.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 $3.52
$2.96 BBDย 5.91
18.92%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
United States
Barbados
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.57 $2.57
$1.77 BBDย 3.53
45.20%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$66.0 $66.0
$24.91 BBDย 49.82
164.87%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.74 $3.74
$15.10 BBDย 30.20
-75.23%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.70 $1.70
$2.45 BBDย 4.89
-30.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.03 $30.03
$40.30 BBDย 80.6
-25.48%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.93 $0.93
$2.07 BBDย 4.14
-55.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2K $30.2K
$40.5K BBDย 81.0K
-25.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K $26.0K
$37.5K BBDย 74.9K
-30.69%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Barbados
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$206 $206
$125 BBDย 250
65.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.1 $57.1
$49.94 BBDย 99.9
14.26%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.2 $73.2
$61.2 BBDย 122
19.62%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
United States
Barbados
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$46.50 $46.50
$73.4 BBDย 147
-36.64%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.07 $22.07
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.14 $14.14
$10.08 BBDย 20.17
40.28%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
United States
Barbados
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,371 $1,371
$262 BBDย 525
422.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.8K $22.8K
$7,288 BBDย 14.6K
212.33%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
United States
Barbados
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 $51.3
$56.5 BBDย 113
-9.05%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.27 $42.27
$38.76 BBDย 77.5
9.06%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.9 $89.9
$102 BBDย 205
-12.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$92.7 BBDย 185
22.86%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
United States
Barbados
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,740 $1,740
$664 BBDย 1,328
162.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,409 $1,409
$541 BBDย 1,082
160.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,912 $2,912
$1,744 BBDย 3,487
66.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,377 $2,377
$1,219 BBDย 2,438
95.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,412 $3,412
$3,479 BBDย 6,958
-1.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,669 $2,669
$3,450 BBDย 6,901
-22.65%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
United States
Barbados
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,242 $4,242
$1,149 BBDย 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 โ€“ 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
How do Barbados and United States compare in cost of living?
Barbados is the cheaper option โ€“ living costs run roughly 224% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
How do rents compare between Barbados and United States?
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.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: Barbados or United States?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Barbados, contributing to the overall 224% price gap. The savings show up everywhere โ€“ from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
How far does $3,000 go in Barbados vs United States?
$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.
How do I choose between living in Barbados and United States?
Barbados is the budget-friendly choice for expats โ€“ lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

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