Cost of Living in Jamestown - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,254 per month with rent, or $596 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,736 per month with rent, or $1,136 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $2,218 per month with rent, or $1,675 without housing.

Overall, Jamestown is 6–21% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 26% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.07 SHP 11.89
$16.07 SHP 11.89
$16.07 SHP 11.89
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.49 SHP 35.88
$41.57 SHP 30.76
$55.4 SHP 41.01
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.89 SHP 6.58
$6.84 SHP 5.06
$10.95 SHP 8.10
Cappuccino
$2.98 SHP 2.20
$2.65 SHP 1.96
$3.31 SHP 2.45
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14 SHP 0.84
$0.95 SHP 0.70
$1.32 SHP 0.98
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21 SHP 0.89
$1.08 SHP 0.80
$1.34 SHP 0.99
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.69 SHP 3.47
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 SHP 1.95
$2.57 SHP 1.90
$2.71 SHP 2.00
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.89 SHP 1.40
$1.72 SHP 1.27
$2.06 SHP 1.53
White Bread (500g)
$1.64 SHP 1.21
$1.37 SHP 1.01
$1.91 SHP 1.42
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.39 SHP 1.03
-
Eggs
$4.32 SHP 3.20
$1.98 SHP 1.47
$5.50 SHP 4.07
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.07 SHP 5.97
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.80 SHP 7.99
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.79 SHP 7.99
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.78 SHP 2.06
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 SHP 1.67
$1.78 SHP 1.32
$2.73 SHP 2.02
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.03 SHP 8.16
$9.65 SHP 7.14
$12.41 SHP 9.18
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.62 SHP 30.06
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.79 SHP 2.07
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$109 SHP 80.7
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$6.90 SHP 5.11
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.55 SHP 30.75
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.61 SHP 15.25
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$46.98 SHP 34.76
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$676 SHP 500
$676 SHP 500
$676 SHP 500
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$623 SHP 461
$553 SHP 410
$692 SHP 512
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$700 SHP 518
$667 SHP 494
$734 SHP 543
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$718 SHP 531
$684 SHP 506
$752 SHP 557
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.2
5.4
7

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

Last update: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $207 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $48.00 – broadly in line with the African average.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $40.62 – above the African average of $29.00.

Cost Highlights

Jamestown has the 2nd cheapest gym membership in Africa

Jamestown has the 10th most expensive meal at budget restaurant in Africa

Chicken fillets is more expensive than 97% of cities in Africa

Jamestown Median Internet Speeds (Updated March 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Jamestown - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jamestown, Saint Helena compare in overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Jamestown, Saint Helena offers a distinctive mix of charm and practicality. Cost of Living in Jamestown, Saint Helena is shaped by its isolation and the island’s import-driven economy, which can push everyday goods toward the upper end of the scale relative to many places. If you value scenery, safety, and a tight-knit community, you may find it a pleasing balance. Housing tends to be modest but comfortable, and workspaces or cafés with reliable Wi-Fi help remote work. Expect slower service at times, but enjoy fewer crowds and a strong sense of place. Tip: map your shopping and shipping cycles to cut unnecessary trips.
What does daily life look like for housing, food, transport, and errands in Jamestown, Saint Helena for a visitor or remote worker?
Daily life is practical and intentionally easy to adapt. Housing options cluster in Jamestown and nearby lanes, with cottages and small flats common for longer stays; price discussions are typically localized through word of mouth and small agencies. Food comes from a few supermarkets, markets, and select eateries; most items arrive by ship, so expect occasional lapses or substitutions. Transport centers on walking, occasional taxis, and simple car shares when available; a bicycle is a sensible choice for nearby runs. For work, cafes or hotel lounges with Wi-Fi can function as informal hubs. Jamestown, Saint Helena living cost is a useful gauge for planning shipments and meals. Tip: pack a small supply of essentials you know you’ll want.
What quality-of-life aspects should you focus on when choosing a neighborhood, budgeting, and planning for seasons in Jamestown, Saint Helena?
Quality of life here blends quiet landscapes with practical constraints. A simple budgeting framework helps: separate essentials (groceries, transport, utilities) from discretionary spending (leisure, outings) and adjust as imports shift with shipments. Seasonality often affects tourism and service availability, so build in flexible plans for busy periods or slow spells. Neighborhood fit hinges on proximity to the water, stairs, and sunlit lanes; consider how you’ll access internet, healthcare, and social spaces. By exploring on foot, speaking with locals, and testing a few different stays, you’ll find a rhythm that suits your pace. Tip: keep backup plans for weather and travel delays.
How much does it cost to live in Jamestown in 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Jamestown should plan on about $1,254 per month with rent, or $596 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
How expensive is daily life in Jamestown?
Jamestown sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,254, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Jamestown?
You'll want at least $1,881 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Jamestown. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
How affordable is housing in Jamestown?
Rent is one of Jamestown's biggest advantages – 1-bedroom apartments range from $623 to $676 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
How much does eating cost in Jamestown?
Grocery spending in Jamestown lands around $207 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
What does fitness cost in Jamestown?
Expect to pay about $6.90 per month for a gym in Jamestown – on par with the regional average. That typically gets you weights, cardio machines, and group classes. Boutique studios, yoga centers, and personal trainers charge extra.
Is $1,000 a month enough for Jamestown?
$1,000 is below the $1,254 average in Jamestown, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
How welcoming is Jamestown to foreigners?
Jamestown has an established expat community and is welcoming to foreigners. low crime rates, clean air, coastal lifestyle smooth the transition, and English-speaking landlords, expat-focused healthcare, and international services are all reasonably accessible. Monthly costs average $1,254 including housing.
Is Jamestown a cheap city to live in?
Jamestown is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,254, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.

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