Cost of Living in Duncans - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,050 per month with rent, or $875 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,731 per month with rent, or $1,525 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $2,411 per month with rent, or $2,175 without housing.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.03 JMD 2,518
$5.77 JMD 906
$19.23 JMD 3,021
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.8 JMD 12.1K
$51.2 JMD 8,038
$166 JMD 26.1K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.82 JMD 1,385
$7.56 JMD 1,188
$10.09 JMD 1,584
Cappuccino
$5.21 JMD 819
$1.55 JMD 243
$6.80 JMD 1,068
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25 JMD 196
$0.97 JMD 153
$1.94 JMD 305
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68 JMD 107
$0.52 JMD 81.6
$0.91 JMD 144
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.17 JMD 341
$1.43 JMD 224
$3.73 JMD 586
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09 JMD 486
$1.61 JMD 252
$6.19 JMD 972
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$4.14 JMD 650
$3.01 JMD 473
$6.60 JMD 1,037
White Bread (500g)
$3.68 JMD 578
$3.40 JMD 533
$4.63 JMD 727
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.65 JMD 260
$1.29 JMD 203
$2.51 JMD 394
Eggs
$3.47 JMD 544
$2.47 JMD 388
$4.32 JMD 679
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.35 JMD 1,782
$4.39 JMD 690
$16.58 JMD 2,604
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.16 JMD 967
$2.47 JMD 387
$11.70 JMD 1,838
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.14 JMD 1,592
$3.10 JMD 487
$12.89 JMD 2,025
Apples (1kg)
$6.19 JMD 972
$1.94 JMD 304
$9.61 JMD 1,510
Banana (1kg)
$3.96 JMD 622
$1.61 JMD 252
$5.67 JMD 890
Oranges (1kg)
$7.42 JMD 1,165
$2.54 JMD 399
$14.01 JMD 2,201
Tomato (1kg)
$3.10 JMD 488
$1.28 JMD 201
$9.65 JMD 1,515
Potato (1kg)
$3.29 JMD 517
$1.15 JMD 181
$6.33 JMD 994
Onion (1kg)
$2.69 JMD 422
$1.27 JMD 200
$4.22 JMD 663
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.05 JMD 479
$1.25 JMD 196
$3.89 JMD 611
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.44 JMD 227
$0.61 JMD 96.5
$2.16 JMD 339
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.50 JMD 1,492
$8.87 JMD 1,393
$20.27 JMD 3,184
Wine (Bottle)
$11.16 JMD 1,753
$3.10 JMD 487
$21.70 JMD 3,408
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.85 JMD 447
$1.57 JMD 246
$5.02 JMD 788
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.09 JMD 643
$1.62 JMD 254
$6.47 JMD 1,016
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.23 JMD 193
$0.97 JMD 153
$1.95 JMD 306
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.07 JMD 483
$2.76 JMD 434
$3.69 JMD 579
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.41 JMD 1,007
$4.65 JMD 730
$7.70 JMD 1,210
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.41 JMD 221
$1.22 JMD 192
$1.54 JMD 242
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.9K JMD 7.1M
$44.9K JMD 7.1M
$44.9K JMD 7.1M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.6K JMD 5.1M
$25.1K JMD 3.9M
$37.6K JMD 5.9M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 JMD 27.8K
$147 JMD 23.1K
$211 JMD 33.1K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.71 JMD 4,666
$19.06 JMD 2,994
$47.65 JMD 7,485
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.2 JMD 8,196
$34.22 JMD 5,376
$80.9 JMD 12.7K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$13.21 JMD 2,075
$13.21 JMD 2,075
$15.73 JMD 2,470
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$363 JMD 57.0K
$158 JMD 24.9K
$570 JMD 89.5K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,328 JMD 1.3M
$3,832 JMD 602.0K
$15.8K JMD 2.5M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.73 JMD 3,727
$9.49 JMD 1,490
$56.9 JMD 8,944
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.30 JMD 4,916
$15.65 JMD 2,459
$46.95 JMD 7,375
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.6 JMD 12.2K
$44.05 JMD 6,920
$94.4 JMD 14.8K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 JMD 16.3K
$38.21 JMD 6,003
$134 JMD 21.0K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.45
7.5
13

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

Last update: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $383 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $77.0.

Cost Highlights

Milk is more expensive than 99% of cities in North America

Taxi is more expensive than 96% of cities in North America

Local beer is cheaper than 95% of cities in North America

Duncans Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

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Mbps
Upload
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Latency
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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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Cost of Living in Duncans - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duncans, Jamaica a good value for travelers and expats, and how does it compare to bigger hubs in the region?
Generally, Duncans offers good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want a more relaxed pace without the price pressures of bigger cities. The Cost of Living in Duncans tends to be approachable if you choose local services and community-centric options. You can find simple groceries, affordable meals at casual eateries, and modest housing outside the prime tourist areas. Seasonal swings in tourism rarely overwhelm essentials, and short trips to beaches or markets are convenient. For longer stays, prioritize a neighborhood with reliable internet and nearby shops. Tip: Start with a few weeks to test routines and neighborhoods.
What is daily life like in Duncans, including housing search, food options, transport, and coworking?
Daily life in Duncans centers on practicality, slow pace, and getting the most from local options. For housing, start by visiting a few neighborhoods and negotiating with landlords; short-term stays help you gauge comfort and safety. Food is approachable, with fresh markets, roadside helpers, and casual eateries offering Jamaica's vibrant flavors. Local transport is flexible: route taxis, minibuses, and buses cover the area, while cycling can work for short hops. If you work remotely, seek a cafe with steady Wi-Fi or a small coworking corner. Duncans living cost varies by season and choice. Tip: Start with short visits to map routes and neighborhoods.
How can you budget effectively and find the right neighborhood fit for long stays in Duncans?
Quality of life in Duncans rewards planning and neighborhood fit. Use a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed costs (housing, utilities) from flexible ones (food, transport) and compare areas by access to markets and beaches. Choose energy-saving accommodations to cut ongoing bills, and lean into home cooking with seasonal produce. To assess neighborhoods, walk through at different times, talk to residents, and note proximity to groceries and Wi-Fi spots. Expect pace shifts with seasons and events, which can affect crowds and transit. Tip: Build a short, flexible plan that lets you try a couple of neighborhoods before committing.
How much does it cost to live in Duncans per month?
Plan for roughly $1,050 a month in Duncans if you're renting, or around $875 for non-housing expenses. That covers one person's basics: food, bills, getting around, and a modest social life. Couples and families will need more, especially for housing and childcare.
What makes Duncans a budget-friendly city to live in?
Duncans is affordable because both rent and daily expenses are genuinely low. Total monthly costs with housing come to just $1,050, making it firmly budget-friendly for residents and long-term visitors alike.
What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Duncans?
You'll want at least $1,576 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Duncans. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
What are kindergarten prices in Duncans?
Private kindergarten in Duncans costs about $363 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
Is grocery shopping affordable in Duncans?
Groceries in Duncans are cheap – a single person spends about $383 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Duncans?
$1,000 a month in Duncans? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $1,050, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
Is Duncans expat-friendly?
Duncans works well for expats – there's a solid range of international services, diverse housing, and established communities of foreigners. English-language options for healthcare, banking, and real estate are increasingly available, making the transition fairly smooth.
Is Duncans a cheap city to live in?
Duncans is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $1,050 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.
Can you backpack through Duncans cheaply?
Duncans is great for backpackers. All-in costs average just $1,050 monthly, and even short-term visitors on tight budgets can stretch their money. Cheap hostels, affordable street food, budget transport, and free attractions make it easy to explore without overspending.

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