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 $2,643 per month in United States vs $717 in Jamaica, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,856 per month in United States vs $1,182 in Jamaica, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,069 per month in United States vs $1,646 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 97% above the global median, while Jamaica is 47% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.12 $20.12

$8.75 JMD 1,376

129.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.9 $73.9

$63.1 JMD 9,921

17.09%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.56 $11.56

$8.06 JMD 1,268

43.42%

Cappuccino

$5.09 $5.09

$3.79 JMD 596

34.30%

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

$2.58 $2.58

$1.22 JMD 192

111.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$0.75 JMD 118

186.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.10 $6.10

$2.55 JMD 401

139.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.95 $6.95

$3.09 JMD 486

124.92%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$3.64 JMD 572

-70.33%

White Bread (500g)

$3.74 $3.74

$2.96 JMD 466

26.35%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$1.54 JMD 242

194.16%

Eggs

$4.43 $4.43

$3.36 JMD 529

31.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.99 $12.99

$11.06 JMD 1,740

17.45%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.25 $12.25

$7.71 JMD 1,213

58.88%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.17 $16.17

$7.72 JMD 1,214

109.46%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$6.12 JMD 963

-13.24%

Banana (1kg)

$1.64 $1.64

$3.57 JMD 562

-54.06%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.44 $4.44

$4.12 JMD 648

7.77%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.03 $5.03

$2.18 JMD 343

130.73%

Potato (1kg)

$2.98 $2.98

$2.34 JMD 368

27.35%

Onion (1kg)

$3.03 $3.03

$2.12 JMD 333

42.92%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 $2.26

$2.24 JMD 352

0.89%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.25 JMD 196

82.40%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.12 $10.12

$9.35 JMD 1,470

8.24%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.94 $14.94

$12.49 JMD 1,964

19.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.97 $1.97

$2.55 JMD 401

-22.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 $3.66

$3.03 JMD 476

20.79%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$0.97 JMD 153

150.52%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.7 $64.7

$48.74 JMD 7,666

32.77%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.83 $3.83

$0.91 JMD 143

320.88%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 $1.78

$3.10 JMD 488

-42.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.45 $30.45

$8.20 JMD 1,289

271.34%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$1.33 JMD 210

-33.83%

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

$30.3K $30.3K

$42.0K JMD 6.6M

-27.87%

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

$25.9K $25.9K

$32.2K JMD 5.1M

-19.76%

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

$205 $205

$139 JMD 21.8K

48.00%

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

$57.6 $57.6

$22.71 JMD 3,571

153.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.9 $71.9

$46.34 JMD 7,289

55.16%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.53 $45.53

$57.3 JMD 9,016

-20.57%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.32 $22.32

$10.39 JMD 1,634

114.82%

Cinema Ticket

$13.82 $13.82

$12.63 JMD 1,987

9.42%

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

$1,374 $1,374

$221 JMD 34.8K

520.64%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.0K $23.0K

$3,588 JMD 564.3K

542.01%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.3 $51.3

$26.05 JMD 4,097

96.89%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.35 $43.35

$23.62 JMD 3,715

83.53%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.2 $91.2

$65.2 JMD 10.3K

39.88%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$115 $115

$81.4 JMD 12.8K

41.52%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,761 $1,761

$670 JMD 105.3K

162.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,428 $1,428

$353 JMD 55.5K

304.83%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,843 $2,843

$1,475 JMD 232.1K

92.69%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,380 $2,380

$895 JMD 140.7K

166.04%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,299 $3,299

$2,708 JMD 426.0K

21.81%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,587 $2,587

$3,092 JMD 486.4K

-16.33%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,234 $4,234

$754 JMD 118.6K

461.42%

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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Jamaica: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $203 in Jamaica. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,583 in Washington, MI and $886 in Kingston.

Average salary: $4,496 in United States vs $750 in Jamaica. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 705% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 70% more in United States.

Public transport is 525% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 499% 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 350% 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 350% 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.