Cost of Living in Jamaica - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Jamaica
Address: JM

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $811 (excluding rent), and $1,302 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,013 (excluding rent), and $3,072 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.97 JMD 1,405

$4.78 JMD 749

$15.92 JMD 2,494

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$61.5 JMD 9,627

$36.87 JMD 5,776

$147 JMD 23.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.29 JMD 1,299

$6.38 JMD 999

$10.19 JMD 1,596

Cappuccino

$3.62 JMD 566

$1.22 JMD 192

$7.36 JMD 1,153

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

$1.23 JMD 192

$0.79 JMD 124

$2.66 JMD 416

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.81 JMD 126

$0.66 JMD 103

$1.64 JMD 257

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.45 JMD 384

$1.54 JMD 241

$4.90 JMD 767

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.17 JMD 497

$2.22 JMD 348

$5.08 JMD 795

Milk (1 liter)

$3.55 JMD 557

$2.13 JMD 333

$4.87 JMD 762

White Bread (500g)

$2.95 JMD 462

$1.58 JMD 248

$4.18 JMD 654

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.61 JMD 252

$0.99 JMD 156

$3.20 JMD 502

Eggs

$3.39 JMD 531

$2.17 JMD 340

$4.84 JMD 758

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.91 JMD 1,709

$3.39 JMD 531

$24.60 JMD 3,854

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.00 JMD 1,254

$2.55 JMD 400

$12.78 JMD 2,002

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.68 JMD 1,202

$2.77 JMD 434

$24.39 JMD 3,821

Apples (1kg)

$6.34 JMD 992

$1.92 JMD 301

$14.11 JMD 2,210

Banana (1kg)

$3.57 JMD 560

$1.55 JMD 243

$6.13 JMD 960

Oranges (1kg)

$4.20 JMD 657

$1.91 JMD 299

$6.36 JMD 997

Tomato (1kg)

$2.17 JMD 340

$1.07 JMD 168

$3.05 JMD 477

Potato (1kg)

$2.45 JMD 383

$0.95 JMD 150

$5.09 JMD 797

Onion (1kg)

$2.02 JMD 316

$1.10 JMD 172

$4.02 JMD 630

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.34 JMD 366

$1.15 JMD 181

$3.84 JMD 602

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.21 JMD 189

$0.62 JMD 97.5

$2.16 JMD 339

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.18 JMD 1,437

$8.57 JMD 1,342

$18.36 JMD 2,876

Wine (Bottle)

$12.47 JMD 1,953

$3.84 JMD 601

$19.18 JMD 3,004

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 JMD 416

$1.53 JMD 240

$3.39 JMD 531

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.11 JMD 487

$1.56 JMD 245

$4.05 JMD 635

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.97 JMD 151

$0.77 JMD 121

$0.97 JMD 151

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$49.81 JMD 7,803

$37.77 JMD 5,916

$75.5 JMD 11.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.97 JMD 152

$1.94 JMD 305

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.21 JMD 502

$2.88 JMD 452

$3.21 JMD 502

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.24 JMD 1,290

$4.49 JMD 704

$16.46 JMD 2,578

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 JMD 208

$1.14 JMD 178

$1.59 JMD 248

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

$42.1K JMD 6.6M

$37.7K JMD 5.9M

$44.0K JMD 6.9M

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

$32.0K JMD 5.0M

$24.9K JMD 3.9M

$37.4K JMD 5.9M

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

$140 JMD 21.9K

$80.8 JMD 12.7K

$205 JMD 32.1K

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

$23.37 JMD 3,661

$18.38 JMD 2,878

$43.09 JMD 6,749

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.40 JMD 7,425

$34.96 JMD 5,476

$63.6 JMD 9,956

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.6 JMD 8,711

$24.72 JMD 3,872

$98.9 JMD 15.5K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.65 JMD 1,668

Cinema Ticket

$12.51 JMD 1,959

$9.38 JMD 1,469

$15.63 JMD 2,449

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

$229 JMD 35.8K

$76.2 JMD 11.9K

$318 JMD 49.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,639 JMD 570.0K

$1,580 JMD 247.5K

$9,481 JMD 1.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.58 JMD 4,163

$12.63 JMD 1,978

$50.5 JMD 7,913

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.71 JMD 3,714

$12.47 JMD 1,954

$46.78 JMD 7,328

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$65.4 JMD 10.2K

$40.06 JMD 6,276

$86.3 JMD 13.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.5 JMD 12.9K

$38.17 JMD 5,979

$127 JMD 19.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$651 JMD 102.0K

$307 JMD 48.1K

$1,106 JMD 173.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$364 JMD 57.1K

$191 JMD 29.9K

$637 JMD 99.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,454 JMD 227.8K

$559 JMD 87.6K

$2,859 JMD 447.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$911 JMD 142.8K

$500 JMD 78.4K

$1,563 JMD 244.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,739 JMD 429.0K

$2,397 JMD 375.4K

$7,691 JMD 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,102 JMD 485.9K

$2,047 JMD 320.7K

$5,833 JMD 913.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$684 JMD 107.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.34

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

Last update: March 10, 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	$749	$892	$2,043	$1,971	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	$671	$865	$1,821	$1,947	71.51	70.14
6	Bull Bay	-	42	$579	$848	$1,487	$1,663	193.93	142.41
7	Cave Valley	-	44	$756	$897	$1,617	$2,012	25.63	61.12
8	Claremont	-		$61.8	$54.6	$114	$108	318.77	93.04
9	Constant Spring	-						164.99	142.41
10	Duncans	-	44	$669	$897	$1,593	$2,020	38.42	62.44
11	Easington	-	44	$816	$888	$1,628	$1,965	58.49	67.31
12	Falmouth	-	58	$724	$1,153	$1,714	$2,539	273.67	62.44
13	Golden Grove	-	44	$720	$871	$1,643	$1,971	58.91	67.31
14	Gordon Town	-	44	$808	$868	$1,792	$2,003	180.96	142.41
15	Green Island	-	44	$685	$897	$1,609	$1,973	335.8	61.12
16	Half Way Tree	-	40	$601	$802	$1,824	$1,834	123.58	142.41
17	Kingston	660000	73	$830	$1,467	$2,049	$3,488	36.48	147.37
18	Linstead	-	45	$669	$878	$2,082	$1,995	184.41	107.84
19	Lluidas Vale	-	44	$825	$900	$1,949	$2,020	285.32	107.84
20	Lucea	-	44	$792	$894	$1,864	$1,954	160.41	61.12
21	Manchioneal	-	44	$796	$897	$1,816	$1,966	153.77	70.14
22	Mandeville	-	38	$657	$746	$1,733	$1,786	300.89	67.09
23	May Pen	-		$363	$644	$833	$1,353	231.03	46.63
24	Montego Bay	110115	65	$701	$1,268	$1,673	$2,224	222.98	90.3
25	Negril	-	43	$742	$849	$1,874	$1,889	145.86	67.15
26	Ocho Rios	-	46	$558	$908	$1,446	$2,998	211.7	93.04
27	Old Harbour	-	36	$639	$724	$1,617	$1,597	15.73	107.84
28	Portmore	170000	55	$656	$1,097	$1,774	$2,562	431.9	158.06
29	Richmond	-						88.68	93.04
30	Rocky Point	-						108.17	46.63
31	Saint Andrew Parish	-	57	$683	$1,120	$1,371	$2,564	-	-
32	Saint Ann's Bay	-	67	$729	$1,361	$1,579	$2,760	-	-
33	Santa Cruz	-	44	$794	$900	$1,904	$1,977	137.33	49.21
34	Seaforth	-						65.96	78.05
35	Spanish Town	131056	43	$629	$853	$1,488	$2,027	66.1	139.88
36	Stony Hill	-	55	$813	$1,100	$2,047	$3,691	88.52	142.41
37	Wakefield	-						16.22	48.72

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.