Cost of Living in Jamaica - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Jamaica
Address: JM

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $807 (excluding rent), and $1,327 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,005 (excluding rent), and $3,108 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.78 JMD 1,373

$4.68 JMD 731

$15.57 JMD 2,436

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$62.7 JMD 9,812

$37.63 JMD 5,887

$150 JMD 23.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.21 JMD 1,284

$6.32 JMD 988

$10.09 JMD 1,578

Cappuccino

$3.61 JMD 565

$1.22 JMD 191

$7.35 JMD 1,150

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

$1.27 JMD 199

$0.82 JMD 129

$2.76 JMD 431

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.80 JMD 125

$0.65 JMD 102

$1.63 JMD 255

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.43 JMD 379

$1.52 JMD 238

$4.85 JMD 759

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.06 JMD 479

$2.14 JMD 335

$4.90 JMD 766

Milk (1 liter)

$3.72 JMD 582

$2.22 JMD 348

$5.09 JMD 796

White Bread (500g)

$2.87 JMD 449

$1.54 JMD 242

$4.07 JMD 637

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.60 JMD 250

$0.99 JMD 155

$3.19 JMD 499

Eggs

$3.35 JMD 524

$2.14 JMD 335

$4.78 JMD 747

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.00 JMD 1,720

$3.41 JMD 534

$24.79 JMD 3,878

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.70 JMD 1,204

$2.45 JMD 384

$12.29 JMD 1,922

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.70 JMD 1,204

$2.78 JMD 434

$24.47 JMD 3,827

Apples (1kg)

$6.32 JMD 988

$1.92 JMD 300

$14.07 JMD 2,200

Banana (1kg)

$3.66 JMD 573

$1.59 JMD 249

$6.28 JMD 983

Oranges (1kg)

$4.21 JMD 658

$1.91 JMD 299

$6.37 JMD 997

Tomato (1kg)

$2.18 JMD 342

$1.08 JMD 169

$3.07 JMD 480

Potato (1kg)

$2.39 JMD 374

$0.93 JMD 146

$4.97 JMD 777

Onion (1kg)

$2.03 JMD 318

$1.10 JMD 173

$4.04 JMD 632

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.24 JMD 350

$1.10 JMD 173

$3.68 JMD 575

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 JMD 196

$0.65 JMD 101

$2.25 JMD 352

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.42 JMD 1,474

$8.80 JMD 1,377

$18.86 JMD 2,950

Wine (Bottle)

$12.64 JMD 1,977

$3.89 JMD 609

$19.45 JMD 3,042

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.58 JMD 404

$1.49 JMD 233

$3.30 JMD 516

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.09 JMD 484

$1.56 JMD 243

$4.03 JMD 631

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.99 JMD 154

$0.79 JMD 123

$0.99 JMD 154

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$49.47 JMD 7,739

$37.51 JMD 5,868

$75.0 JMD 11.7K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.92 JMD 144

$1.85 JMD 289

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.14 JMD 492

$2.83 JMD 442

$3.14 JMD 492

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.07 JMD 1,263

$4.41 JMD 689

$16.14 JMD 2,524

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 JMD 206

$1.12 JMD 176

$1.57 JMD 246

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

$41.2K JMD 6.4M

$36.9K JMD 5.8M

$43.0K JMD 6.7M

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

$32.1K JMD 5.0M

$25.0K JMD 3.9M

$37.5K JMD 5.9M

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

$141 JMD 22.1K

$81.7 JMD 12.8K

$207 JMD 32.4K

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

$23.13 JMD 3,618

$18.18 JMD 2,844

$42.63 JMD 6,668

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.17 JMD 7,378

$34.79 JMD 5,441

$63.3 JMD 9,893

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.3 JMD 8,652

$24.59 JMD 3,846

$98.3 JMD 15.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.53 JMD 1,647

Cinema Ticket

$12.35 JMD 1,933

$9.27 JMD 1,449

$15.44 JMD 2,416

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

$222 JMD 34.7K

$74.0 JMD 11.6K

$308 JMD 48.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,578 JMD 559.7K

$1,554 JMD 243.1K

$9,323 JMD 1.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.84 JMD 4,199

$12.75 JMD 1,995

$51.0 JMD 7,982

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.49 JMD 3,675

$12.36 JMD 1,933

$46.35 JMD 7,250

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.4 JMD 10.4K

$40.64 JMD 6,358

$87.6 JMD 13.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.7 JMD 12.9K

$38.30 JMD 5,991

$128 JMD 20.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$670 JMD 104.8K

$316 JMD 49.5K

$1,138 JMD 178.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$352 JMD 55.0K

$184 JMD 28.8K

$614 JMD 96.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,476 JMD 230.9K

$568 JMD 88.8K

$2,902 JMD 453.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$921 JMD 144.0K

$505 JMD 79.0K

$1,579 JMD 247.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,690 JMD 420.8K

$2,354 JMD 368.2K

$7,554 JMD 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,167 JMD 495.4K

$2,089 JMD 326.8K

$5,952 JMD 931.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$690 JMD 107.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.34

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

Last update: March 1, 2026

Jamaica Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.