Cost of Living in Jamaica - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Jamaica
Address: JM

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $802 (excluding rent), and $1,324 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,050 (excluding rent), and $3,152 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.86 JMD 1,412

$4.72 JMD 752

$15.73 JMD 2,506

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$61.9 JMD 9,860

$37.14 JMD 5,916

$148 JMD 23.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.22 JMD 1,309

$6.32 JMD 1,007

$10.1 JMD 1,609

Cappuccino

$3.6 JMD 573

$1.22 JMD 194

$7.32 JMD 1,166

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

$1.22 JMD 195

$0.79 JMD 126

$2.65 JMD 423

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.73 JMD 117

$0.6 JMD 95.4

$1.49 JMD 238

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.52 JMD 401

$1.58 JMD 252

$5.03 JMD 802

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.11 JMD 496

$2.18 JMD 347

$4.98 JMD 794

Milk (1 liter)

$3.76 JMD 599

$2.25 JMD 358

$5.15 JMD 820

White Bread (500g)

$2.84 JMD 452

$1.53 JMD 243

$4.03 JMD 641

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.53 JMD 244

$0.95 JMD 151

$3.05 JMD 487

Eggs

$3.44 JMD 548

$2.2 JMD 351

$4.91 JMD 782

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.32 JMD 1,804

$3.52 JMD 560

$25.53 JMD 4,067

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.65 JMD 1,219

$2.44 JMD 389

$12.22 JMD 1,946

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.04 JMD 1,281

$2.9 JMD 462

$25.55 JMD 4,070

Apples (1kg)

$6.03 JMD 961

$1.83 JMD 291

$13.44 JMD 2,140

Banana (1kg)

$3.52 JMD 561

$1.53 JMD 243

$6.04 JMD 962

Oranges (1kg)

$4.2 JMD 670

$1.91 JMD 305

$6.37 JMD 1,015

Tomato (1kg)

$2.18 JMD 347

$1.07 JMD 171

$3.06 JMD 487

Potato (1kg)

$2.38 JMD 378

$0.93 JMD 148

$4.94 JMD 787

Onion (1kg)

$2.03 JMD 323

$1.1 JMD 175

$4.03 JMD 642

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.31 JMD 368

$1.14 JMD 181

$3.79 JMD 604

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 JMD 197

$0.64 JMD 102

$2.22 JMD 354

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.63 JMD 1,534

$9 JMD 1,433

$19.28 JMD 3,070

Wine (Bottle)

$12.06 JMD 1,921

$3.8 JMD 606

$19.04 JMD 3,032

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 JMD 417

$1.51 JMD 241

$3.34 JMD 532

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.16 JMD 503

$1.59 JMD 253

$4.12 JMD 656

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.92 JMD 147

$0.74 JMD 117

$0.92 JMD 147

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$48.7 JMD 7,758

$36.93 JMD 5,882

$73.9 JMD 11.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.91 JMD 145

$1.83 JMD 291

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.24 JMD 516

$2.91 JMD 464

$3.24 JMD 516

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.48 JMD 1,351

$4.63 JMD 737

$16.95 JMD 2,700

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 JMD 201

$1.08 JMD 172

$1.51 JMD 240

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

$42.1K JMD 6.7M

$37.7K JMD 6M

$44K JMD 7M

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

$32.4K JMD 5.2M

$25.3K JMD 4M

$37.9K JMD 6M

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

$140 JMD 22.3K

$80.7 JMD 12.9K

$205 JMD 32.6K

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

$23.38 JMD 3,725

$18.38 JMD 2,928

$43.1 JMD 6,866

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.6 JMD 7,423

$34.37 JMD 5,474

$62.5 JMD 9,954

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.4 JMD 8,987

$25.08 JMD 3,994

$100 JMD 16K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.57 JMD 1,683

Cinema Ticket

$12.36 JMD 1,968

$9.27 JMD 1,476

$15.45 JMD 2,460

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

$224 JMD 35.6K

$74.6 JMD 11.9K

$311 JMD 49.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,586 JMD 571.2K

$1,557 JMD 248K

$9,343 JMD 1.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.24 JMD 4,180

$12.47 JMD 1,986

$49.88 JMD 7,946

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.38 JMD 3,724

$12.3 JMD 1,959

$46.13 JMD 7,348

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$65.9 JMD 10.5K

$40.34 JMD 6,426

$86.9 JMD 13.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.7 JMD 12.9K

$37.35 JMD 5,949

$125 JMD 19.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$670 JMD 106.7K

$316 JMD 50.3K

$1,138 JMD 181.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$352 JMD 56.1K

$185 JMD 29.4K

$616 JMD 98.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,467 JMD 233.7K

$564 JMD 89.9K

$2,884 JMD 459.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$924 JMD 147.2K

$507 JMD 80.8K

$1,585 JMD 252.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,653 JMD 422.6K

$2,321 JMD 369.8K

$7,450 JMD 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,094 JMD 492.8K

$2,033 JMD 323.8K

$5,792 JMD 922.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$684 JMD 109K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.34

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Jamaica - Frequently Asked Questions

Jamaica offers a mix of value, with affordable options outside main tourist zones and higher costs where resorts cluster. For many, the Cost of Living in Jamaica feels manageable when you lean on local markets, casual eateries, and longer-term housing rather than short-term resort stays. You can stretch a budget by choosing walkable neighborhoods, using public transport, and cooking at home. Seasonal shifts affect availability and prices in popular areas, so plan accordingly. Tip: Start with a longer trial stay in a neighborhood that matches your pace, then adjust as you learn the rhythm of the island.

For daily routines, you search housing by neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle; use local agents and online listings, but view places in person and check water, power, and safety. Food options range from busy street vendors to markets and casual eateries; buying fresh fruit, seafood, and staples supports a balanced budget. Transport is flexible: route buses, shared taxis, or a modest rental car, with walking or cycling possible in smaller towns. Co-working spaces and cafes host digital nomads, making errands like banking and postal services easier in bigger towns. Jamaica living cost varies by area, so pick a base that aligns with work and play. Tip: Build a simple weekly plan to balance work hours and exploration.

Quality of life shines when you pair a clear budgeting framework with flexible routines. Try a simple approach like a 50/30/20 split for housing, essentials, and discretionary spend, then adjust by season and location. Favor neighborhoods that align with your pace – urban in Kingston or beach-adjacent in Montego Bay – while keeping a base with access to groceries, clinics, and coworking. Save by cooking at home, buying seasonal produce, using public transport, and taking advantage of low-cost community events. Plan for hurricane season and off-peak travel to balance energy and safety. Tip: Keep a loose calendar of monthly expenses and a short list of must-haves for easy re-planning.