Cost of Living in Jamaica - Updated Prices & Insights

58.95

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $824 (excluding rent), and $1,329 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,067 (excluding rent), and $3,027 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.86 JMD 1,411

$4.72 JMD 752

$15.73 JMD 2,503

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$61.8 JMD 9,836

$37.07 JMD 5,901

$148 JMD 23.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.18 JMD 1,302

$6.29 JMD 1,001

$10.04 JMD 1,599

Cappuccino

$3.73 JMD 594

$1.26 JMD 201

$7.6 JMD 1,209

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

$1.28 JMD 204

$0.83 JMD 132

$2.78 JMD 443

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.79 JMD 126

$0.65 JMD 103

$1.61 JMD 256

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.47 JMD 393

$1.55 JMD 247

$4.94 JMD 786

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.11 JMD 496

$2.18 JMD 347

$4.98 JMD 793

Milk (1 liter)

$3.62 JMD 576

$2.17 JMD 345

$4.96 JMD 789

White Bread (500g)

$2.91 JMD 463

$1.56 JMD 249

$4.12 JMD 656

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.53 JMD 244

$0.95 JMD 151

$3.06 JMD 486

Eggs

$3.32 JMD 528

$2.12 JMD 338

$4.74 JMD 754

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.28 JMD 1,795

$3.5 JMD 557

$25.43 JMD 4,048

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.96 JMD 1,268

$2.54 JMD 404

$12.72 JMD 2,024

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.02 JMD 1,277

$2.89 JMD 460

$25.48 JMD 4,057

Apples (1kg)

$6.33 JMD 1,008

$1.92 JMD 306

$14.11 JMD 2,246

Banana (1kg)

$3.6 JMD 574

$1.56 JMD 249

$6.18 JMD 984

Oranges (1kg)

$4.07 JMD 649

$1.85 JMD 295

$6.18 JMD 983

Tomato (1kg)

$2.25 JMD 359

$1.11 JMD 177

$3.16 JMD 504

Potato (1kg)

$2.37 JMD 378

$0.93 JMD 147

$4.93 JMD 786

Onion (1kg)

$2.12 JMD 338

$1.15 JMD 184

$4.22 JMD 672

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.33 JMD 371

$1.15 JMD 183

$3.82 JMD 608

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 JMD 197

$0.64 JMD 102

$2.22 JMD 354

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.24 JMD 1,471

$8.63 JMD 1,374

$18.49 JMD 2,944

Wine (Bottle)

$10.22 JMD 1,627

$4.33 JMD 690

$18.6 JMD 2,960

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.68 JMD 426

$1.54 JMD 246

$3.42 JMD 544

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.1 JMD 493

$1.56 JMD 248

$4.04 JMD 643

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.98 JMD 156

$0.78 JMD 125

$0.98 JMD 156

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$50.4 JMD 8,023

$38.21 JMD 6,083

$76.4 JMD 12.2K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.95 JMD 152

$1.91 JMD 304

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.14 JMD 500

$2.82 JMD 450

$3.14 JMD 500

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.43 JMD 1,343

$4.6 JMD 733

$16.86 JMD 2,684

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 JMD 203

$1.09 JMD 173

$1.52 JMD 242

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

$42.6K JMD 6.8M

$38.2K JMD 6.1M

$44.5K JMD 7.1M

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

$31.9K JMD 5.1M

$24.9K JMD 4M

$37.3K JMD 5.9M

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

$139 JMD 22.1K

$80.2 JMD 12.8K

$204 JMD 32.4K

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

$22.78 JMD 3,627

$17.91 JMD 2,851

$42 JMD 6,686

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.89 JMD 7,465

$34.58 JMD 5,505

$62.9 JMD 10K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.8 JMD 8,880

$24.79 JMD 3,947

$99.2 JMD 15.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.5 JMD 1,672

Cinema Ticket

$12.44 JMD 1,980

$9.33 JMD 1,485

$15.55 JMD 2,475

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

$224 JMD 35.7K

$74.8 JMD 11.9K

$312 JMD 49.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,587 JMD 570.9K

$1,557 JMD 247.9K

$9,345 JMD 1.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.07 JMD 4,150

$12.39 JMD 1,972

$49.56 JMD 7,890

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.91 JMD 3,806

$12.58 JMD 2,002

$47.18 JMD 7,511

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.3 JMD 10.7K

$41.23 JMD 6,563

$88.8 JMD 14.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.5 JMD 13.1K

$38.2 JMD 6,081

$127 JMD 20.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$667 JMD 106.2K

$315 JMD 50.1K

$1,133 JMD 180.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$365 JMD 58.1K

$191 JMD 30.4K

$637 JMD 101.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,461 JMD 232.6K

$562 JMD 89.5K

$2,873 JMD 457.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$907 JMD 144.4K

$498 JMD 79.2K

$1,555 JMD 247.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,744 JMD 436.9K

$2,401 JMD 382.3K

$7,707 JMD 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,134 JMD 339.7K

$2,017 JMD 321.2K

$5,748 JMD 915K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$700 JMD 111.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.34

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

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.