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

Name: Jamaica
Address: JM

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,644 per month in United States vs $717 in Jamaica, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $1,179 in Jamaica, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,070 per month in United States vs $1,641 in Jamaica, rent included.

United States costs about 269% more than Jamaica on average — the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 96% above the global median, while Jamaica is 47% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

United States has a wider regional cost range ($1,313–$5,207) than Jamaica ($0–$1,461), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.36 $20.36

$8.85 JMD 1,400

130.06%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.3 $74.3

$63.6 JMD 10.1K

16.98%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.42 $11.42

$8.17 JMD 1,293

39.78%

Cappuccino

$5.21 $5.21

$3.79 JMD 600

37.47%

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

$2.62 $2.62

$1.23 JMD 195

113.01%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$0.79 JMD 124

172.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.84 $5.84

$2.47 JMD 391

136.44%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.18 $7.18

$3.16 JMD 500

127.22%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$3.64 JMD 576

-70.33%

White Bread (500g)

$3.59 $3.59

$2.94 JMD 465

22.11%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.71 $4.71

$1.53 JMD 242

207.84%

Eggs

$4.38 $4.38

$3.48 JMD 551

25.86%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.67 $12.67

$11.14 JMD 1,763

13.73%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.40 $12.40

$7.71 JMD 1,221

60.83%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.39 $16.39

$7.69 JMD 1,217

113.13%

Apples (1kg)

$5.16 $5.16

$6.27 JMD 993

-17.70%

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 $1.72

$3.65 JMD 578

-52.88%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.47 $4.47

$4.24 JMD 670

5.42%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.01 $5.01

$2.21 JMD 350

126.70%

Potato (1kg)

$2.91 $2.91

$2.37 JMD 375

22.78%

Onion (1kg)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.03 JMD 321

50.74%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.16 $2.16

$2.36 JMD 373

-8.47%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.21 $2.21

$1.19 JMD 188

85.71%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.93 $9.93

$9.33 JMD 1,476

6.43%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.94 $14.94

$12.24 JMD 1,938

22.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$2.58 JMD 408

-25.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 $3.70

$3.08 JMD 487

20.13%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$0.96 JMD 151

165.63%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$65.0 $65.0

$49.73 JMD 7,870

30.79%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.69 $3.69

$0.98 JMD 156

276.53%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 $1.78

$3.13 JMD 495

-43.13%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.24 $30.24

$8.54 JMD 1,352

254.10%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$1.33 JMD 211

-28.57%

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

$29.7K $29.7K

$42.0K JMD 6.6M

-29.20%

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$32.6K JMD 5.2M

-19.45%

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

$210 $210

$139 JMD 22.1K

50.25%

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

$58.3 $58.3

$22.90 JMD 3,625

154.59%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.1 $72.1

$47.41 JMD 7,503

52.06%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.90 $45.90

$56.4 JMD 8,925

-18.60%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.20 $22.20

$10.44 JMD 1,652

112.64%

Cinema Ticket

$14.25 $14.25

$12.63 JMD 1,999

12.83%

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

$1,367 $1,367

$224 JMD 35.5K

508.94%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.8K $22.8K

$3,662 JMD 579.7K

522.09%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.0 $53.0

$25.90 JMD 4,099

104.63%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.96 $42.96

$24.00 JMD 3,798

79.00%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.4 $89.4

$67.5 JMD 10.7K

32.44%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 $113

$81.0 JMD 12.8K

39.98%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,766 $1,766

$673 JMD 106.5K

162.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,460 $1,460

$354 JMD 56.1K

312.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,865 $2,865

$1,438 JMD 227.7K

99.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,360 $2,360

$919 JMD 145.5K

156.68%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,427 $3,427

$2,720 JMD 430.5K

25.99%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,624 $2,624

$3,080 JMD 487.5K

-14.83%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,306 $4,306

$757 JMD 119.9K

468.48%

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: April 12, 2026

Last update for Jamaica: April 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,636 in United States vs $203 in Jamaica. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,562 in Washington, DC and $886 in Kingston.

Average salary: $4,492 in United States vs $757 in Jamaica. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 706% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 70% more in United States.

Public transport is 525% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 493% higher in United States, giving United States 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 Jamaica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Jamaica is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 346% 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 Jamaica, contributing to the overall 346% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Jamaica, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Jamaica 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.