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

😐 Solo nomad: United States is 40.3% more expensive than Jamaica without rent, and 108.5% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: United States is 38.7% more expensive than Jamaica without rent, and 73.9% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Jamaica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.97 $19.97
$8.78 JMD 1,373
127.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.7 $74.7
$62.7 JMD 9,812
19.02%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.40 $11.40
$8.21 JMD 1,284
38.86%
Cappuccino
$5.37 $5.37
$3.61 JMD 565
48.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63 $2.63
$1.27 JMD 199
107.09%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$0.80 JMD 125
157.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.90 $5.90
$2.43 JMD 379
142.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.02 $7.02
$3.06 JMD 479
129.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Jamaica
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$3.72 JMD 582
-70.70%
White Bread (500g)
$3.55 $3.55
$2.87 JMD 449
23.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.73 $4.73
$1.60 JMD 250
195.63%
Eggs
$4.30 $4.30
$3.35 JMD 524
28.36%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.01 $13.01
$11.00 JMD 1,720
18.27%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.22 $12.22
$7.70 JMD 1,204
58.70%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.36 $16.36
$7.70 JMD 1,204
112.47%
Apples (1kg)
$5.21 $5.21
$6.32 JMD 988
-17.56%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$3.66 JMD 573
-53.55%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$4.21 JMD 658
9.03%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.97 $4.97
$2.18 JMD 342
127.98%
Potato (1kg)
$2.98 $2.98
$2.39 JMD 374
24.69%
Onion (1kg)
$3.04 $3.04
$2.03 JMD 318
49.75%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.26 $2.26
$2.24 JMD 350
0.89%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$1.25 JMD 196
73.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.83 $9.83
$9.42 JMD 1,474
4.35%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.17 $15.17
$12.64 JMD 1,977
20.02%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$2.58 JMD 404
-25.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
$3.09 JMD 484
15.86%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Jamaica
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.49 $2.49
$0.99 JMD 154
151.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$66.1 $66.1
$49.47 JMD 7,739
33.64%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.82 $3.82
$0.92 JMD 144
315.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 $1.78
$3.14 JMD 492
-43.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.48 $29.48
$8.07 JMD 1,263
265.30%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91 $0.91
$1.32 JMD 206
-31.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K $29.5K
$41.2K JMD 6.4M
-28.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$32.1K JMD 5.0M
-18.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Jamaica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$206 $206
$141 JMD 22.1K
45.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.9 $56.9
$23.13 JMD 3,618
146.09%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.8 $72.8
$47.17 JMD 7,378
54.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Jamaica
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.23 $45.23
$55.3 JMD 8,652
-18.22%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.84 $21.84
$10.53 JMD 1,647
107.41%
Cinema Ticket
$13.79 $13.79
$12.35 JMD 1,933
11.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Jamaica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,355 $1,355
$222 JMD 34.7K
510.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.6K $22.6K
$3,578 JMD 559.7K
530.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Jamaica
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 $51.3
$26.84 JMD 4,199
91.17%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.37 $42.37
$23.49 JMD 3,675
80.37%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.6 $88.6
$66.4 JMD 10.4K
33.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115 $115
$82.7 JMD 12.9K
38.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Jamaica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,763 $1,763
$670 JMD 104.8K
163.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,432 $1,432
$352 JMD 55.0K
307.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,827 $2,827
$1,476 JMD 230.9K
91.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,358 $2,358
$921 JMD 144.0K
156.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,391 $3,391
$2,690 JMD 420.8K
26.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,614 $2,614
$3,167 JMD 495.4K
-17.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Jamaica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,326 $4,326
$690 JMD 107.9K
527.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
8.34
-21.94%

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

Last update for United States: March 3, 2026

Last update for Jamaica: March 1, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated January 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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