Cost of Living in Jamaica - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Jamaica
Address: JM

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $825 (excluding rent), and $1,338 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,003 (excluding rent), and $3,096 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.71 JMD 1,373

$4.64 JMD 732

$15.46 JMD 2,436

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$62.1 JMD 9,782

$37.25 JMD 5,869

$149 JMD 23.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.03 JMD 1,265

$6.17 JMD 973

$9.86 JMD 1,554

Cappuccino

$3.74 JMD 589

$1.27 JMD 200

$7.61 JMD 1,199

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

$1.22 JMD 193

$0.79 JMD 125

$2.65 JMD 417

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.76 JMD 119

$0.62 JMD 97.6

$1.54 JMD 243

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.45 JMD 387

$1.54 JMD 243

$4.91 JMD 774

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.22 JMD 508

$2.25 JMD 355

$5.16 JMD 813

Milk (1 liter)

$3.76 JMD 592

$2.25 JMD 354

$5.14 JMD 810

White Bread (500g)

$2.96 JMD 467

$1.59 JMD 251

$4.20 JMD 662

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 JMD 246

$0.96 JMD 152

$3.11 JMD 490

Eggs

$3.48 JMD 548

$2.23 JMD 351

$4.96 JMD 781

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.15 JMD 1,757

$3.46 JMD 545

$25.14 JMD 3,961

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.68 JMD 1,210

$2.45 JMD 386

$12.26 JMD 1,932

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.97 JMD 1,256

$2.88 JMD 453

$25.34 JMD 3,993

Apples (1kg)

$6.16 JMD 971

$1.87 JMD 294

$13.73 JMD 2,163

Banana (1kg)

$3.65 JMD 574

$1.58 JMD 249

$6.25 JMD 985

Oranges (1kg)

$4.06 JMD 640

$1.85 JMD 292

$6.16 JMD 971

Tomato (1kg)

$2.19 JMD 345

$1.08 JMD 170

$3.07 JMD 484

Potato (1kg)

$2.38 JMD 374

$0.93 JMD 146

$4.94 JMD 778

Onion (1kg)

$2.13 JMD 336

$1.16 JMD 183

$4.25 JMD 670

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.31 JMD 364

$1.14 JMD 180

$3.79 JMD 598

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 JMD 189

$0.62 JMD 97.8

$2.16 JMD 340

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.31 JMD 1,466

$8.69 JMD 1,369

$18.62 JMD 2,934

Wine (Bottle)

$12.06 JMD 1,901

$3.81 JMD 600

$19.05 JMD 3,001

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.65 JMD 418

$1.53 JMD 241

$3.39 JMD 534

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.21 JMD 506

$1.62 JMD 255

$4.19 JMD 660

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.91 JMD 143

$0.73 JMD 114

$0.91 JMD 143

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$50.4 JMD 7,934

$38.18 JMD 6,016

$76.4 JMD 12.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.90 JMD 142

$1.80 JMD 283

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.26 JMD 513

$2.93 JMD 462

$3.26 JMD 513

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.28 JMD 1,305

$4.52 JMD 712

$16.56 JMD 2,609

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 JMD 203

$1.10 JMD 173

$1.54 JMD 242

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

$41.7K JMD 6.6M

$37.3K JMD 5.9M

$43.5K JMD 6.9M

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

$31.5K JMD 5.0M

$24.6K JMD 3.9M

$36.9K JMD 5.8M

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

$139 JMD 22.0K

$80.4 JMD 12.7K

$204 JMD 32.2K

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

$23.24 JMD 3,662

$18.27 JMD 2,879

$42.84 JMD 6,750

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.44 JMD 7,475

$34.99 JMD 5,513

$63.6 JMD 10.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.8 JMD 8,942

$25.23 JMD 3,975

$101 JMD 15.9K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.45 JMD 1,647

Cinema Ticket

$12.28 JMD 1,935

$9.21 JMD 1,452

$15.35 JMD 2,419

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

$228 JMD 35.9K

$76.0 JMD 12.0K

$317 JMD 49.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,539 JMD 557.7K

$1,537 JMD 242.2K

$9,222 JMD 1.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.95 JMD 4,089

$12.33 JMD 1,943

$49.34 JMD 7,774

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.74 JMD 3,741

$12.49 JMD 1,968

$46.84 JMD 7,381

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.7 JMD 10.7K

$41.45 JMD 6,531

$89.3 JMD 14.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.2 JMD 13.0K

$38.06 JMD 5,997

$127 JMD 20.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$657 JMD 103.4K

$310 JMD 48.8K

$1,115 JMD 175.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$363 JMD 57.2K

$190 JMD 30.0K

$634 JMD 99.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,488 JMD 234.4K

$572 JMD 90.2K

$2,924 JMD 460.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$931 JMD 146.6K

$511 JMD 80.5K

$1,596 JMD 251.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,709 JMD 426.9K

$2,371 JMD 373.5K

$7,608 JMD 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,105 JMD 489.2K

$2,045 JMD 322.1K

$5,825 JMD 917.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$718 JMD 113.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.34

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

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.