Cost of Living in Jamaica - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Jamaica
Address: JM

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $806 (excluding rent), and $1,343 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,004 (excluding rent), and $3,113 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.74 JMD 1,372

$4.66 JMD 731

$15.50 JMD 2,434

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$63.0 JMD 9,895

$37.80 JMD 5,937

$151 JMD 23.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.11 JMD 1,274

$6.24 JMD 980

$9.96 JMD 1,565

Cappuccino

$3.64 JMD 572

$1.23 JMD 194

$7.42 JMD 1,165

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

$1.27 JMD 199

$0.82 JMD 129

$2.74 JMD 431

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 JMD 118

$0.61 JMD 96.4

$1.53 JMD 240

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.55 JMD 401

$1.60 JMD 252

$5.10 JMD 801

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.14 JMD 494

$2.20 JMD 346

$5.03 JMD 791

Milk (1 liter)

$3.73 JMD 586

$2.23 JMD 350

$5.10 JMD 802

White Bread (500g)

$2.94 JMD 462

$1.58 JMD 248

$4.17 JMD 655

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.62 JMD 254

$1.00 JMD 157

$3.22 JMD 506

Eggs

$3.46 JMD 543

$2.21 JMD 348

$4.94 JMD 775

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.00 JMD 1,727

$3.42 JMD 536

$24.80 JMD 3,894

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.03 JMD 1,261

$2.56 JMD 402

$12.82 JMD 2,014

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.86 JMD 1,234

$2.83 JMD 445

$24.96 JMD 3,921

Apples (1kg)

$6.07 JMD 954

$1.84 JMD 289

$13.53 JMD 2,125

Banana (1kg)

$3.70 JMD 581

$1.60 JMD 252

$6.34 JMD 996

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 JMD 656

$1.90 JMD 299

$6.33 JMD 995

Tomato (1kg)

$2.28 JMD 359

$1.13 JMD 177

$3.21 JMD 504

Potato (1kg)

$2.45 JMD 385

$0.96 JMD 150

$5.10 JMD 801

Onion (1kg)

$2.09 JMD 328

$1.14 JMD 178

$4.16 JMD 654

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 JMD 349

$1.10 JMD 172

$3.65 JMD 574

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 JMD 197

$0.65 JMD 102

$2.25 JMD 353

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.64 JMD 1,514

$9.01 JMD 1,414

$19.30 JMD 3,031

Wine (Bottle)

$12.54 JMD 1,970

$3.86 JMD 607

$19.31 JMD 3,032

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 JMD 418

$1.53 JMD 241

$3.40 JMD 533

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 JMD 502

$1.61 JMD 253

$4.17 JMD 655

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 JMD 141

$0.71 JMD 112

$0.90 JMD 141

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$50.4 JMD 7,908

$38.18 JMD 5,996

$76.4 JMD 12.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.97 JMD 152

$1.94 JMD 304

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.14 JMD 493

$2.82 JMD 443

$3.14 JMD 493

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.39 JMD 1,317

$4.58 JMD 719

$16.76 JMD 2,632

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 JMD 209

$1.14 JMD 179

$1.59 JMD 249

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

$42.7K JMD 6.7M

$38.2K JMD 6.0M

$44.6K JMD 7.0M

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)

$142 JMD 22.3K

$81.8 JMD 12.8K

$208 JMD 32.6K

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

$22.67 JMD 3,561

$17.82 JMD 2,799

$41.79 JMD 6,564

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.03 JMD 7,386

$34.68 JMD 5,447

$63.1 JMD 9,904

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.2 JMD 8,821

$24.96 JMD 3,921

$99.9 JMD 15.7K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.44 JMD 1,640

Cinema Ticket

$12.60 JMD 1,979

$9.45 JMD 1,484

$15.75 JMD 2,474

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

$229 JMD 35.9K

$76.4 JMD 12.0K

$318 JMD 50.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,642 JMD 571.9K

$1,581 JMD 248.4K

$9,488 JMD 1.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.72 JMD 4,197

$12.70 JMD 1,994

$50.8 JMD 7,978

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.55 JMD 3,699

$12.39 JMD 1,946

$46.47 JMD 7,298

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.6 JMD 10.5K

$40.80 JMD 6,407

$87.9 JMD 13.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.5 JMD 12.6K

$37.26 JMD 5,851

$124 JMD 19.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$652 JMD 102.4K

$308 JMD 48.3K

$1,107 JMD 173.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$364 JMD 57.1K

$191 JMD 29.9K

$635 JMD 99.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,477 JMD 232.0K

$568 JMD 89.2K

$2,904 JMD 456.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$903 JMD 141.8K

$496 JMD 77.8K

$1,549 JMD 243.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,684 JMD 421.5K

$2,348 JMD 368.8K

$7,535 JMD 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,120 JMD 490.0K

$2,057 JMD 323.1K

$5,861 JMD 920.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$676 JMD 106.2K

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 20, 2026

By City in Jamaica

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Alexandria	-	44	$764	$894	$1,804	$1,990	199.8	85.42
2	Alligator Pond	-						149.74	67.09
3	Bamboo	-						125.78	85.42
4	Bethel Town	3000						253.78	48.72
5	Buff Bay	-	44	$688	$869	$2,069	$1,956	71.51	70.14
6	Bull Bay	-	42	$559	$837	$1,441	$1,664	193.93	142.41
7	Cave Valley	-	44	$715	$873	$1,864	$2,009	25.63	61.12
8	Claremont	-		$52.8	$54.1	$103	$108	318.77	93.04
9	Constant Spring	-						164.99	142.41
10	Duncans	-	44	$663	$893	$1,673	$1,963	38.42	62.44
11	Easington	-	44	$727	$898	$1,664	$1,964	58.49	67.31
12	Falmouth	-	58	$817	$1,175	$1,683	$2,527	273.67	62.44
13	Golden Grove	-	44	$692	$858	$1,689	$1,977	58.91	67.31
14	Gordon Town	-	44	$703	$890	$1,564	$2,003	180.96	142.41
15	Green Island	-	44	$783	$893	$1,554	$1,996	335.8	61.12
16	Half Way Tree	-	40	$610	$808	$1,765	$1,849	123.58	142.41
17	Kingston	660000	73	$835	$1,461	$2,065	$3,481	36.48	147.37
18	Linstead	-	45	$789	$889	$1,938	$1,977	184.41	107.84
19	Lluidas Vale	-	44	$723	$887	$1,649	$2,022	285.32	107.84
20	Lucea	-	44	$671	$879	$1,986	$2,023	160.41	61.12
21	Manchioneal	-	44	$822	$882	$2,088	$1,958	153.77	70.14
22	Mandeville	-	38	$692	$755	$1,715	$1,815	300.89	67.09
23	May Pen	-		$432	$646	$885	$1,363	231.03	46.63
24	Montego Bay	110115	65	$605	$1,301	$1,794	$2,215	222.98	90.3
25	Negril	-	43	$621	$869	$1,709	$1,849	145.86	67.15
26	Ocho Rios	-	46	$686	$924	$1,706	$2,958	211.7	93.04
27	Old Harbour	-	36	$671	$727	$1,780	$1,626	15.73	107.84
28	Portmore	170000	55	$717	$1,112	$1,615	$2,588	431.9	158.06
29	Richmond	-						88.68	93.04
30	Rocky Point	-						108.17	46.63
31	Saint Andrew Parish	-	57	$711	$1,149	$1,585	$2,638	-	-
32	Saint Ann's Bay	-	67	$614	$1,316	$1,673	$2,752	-	-
33	Santa Cruz	-	44	$645	$876	$2,057	$1,959	137.33	49.21
34	Seaforth	-						65.96	78.05
35	Spanish Town	131056	43	$497	$862	$1,541	$1,992	66.1	139.88
36	Stony Hill	-	55	$801	$1,109	$1,735	$3,743	88.52	142.41
37	Wakefield	-						16.22	48.72

Jamaica Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

161

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

111

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.