Cost of Living in Montego Bay - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $651 (excluding rent), and $1,314 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,590 (excluding rent), and $2,228 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.73 JMD 1,209

$3.22 JMD 504

$16.10 JMD 2,518

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.6 JMD 7,918

$37.98 JMD 5,939

$152 JMD 23.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.63 JMD 1,194

$6.36 JMD 995

$10.19 JMD 1,593

Cappuccino

$4.22 JMD 660

$0.73 JMD 114

$12.17 JMD 1,903

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

$1.32 JMD 206

$0.74 JMD 115

$2.95 JMD 461

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 JMD 109

$0.48 JMD 74.6

$2.86 JMD 448

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.44 JMD 382

$1.22 JMD 191

$7.82 JMD 1,223

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.21 JMD 502

$1.67 JMD 261

$5.14 JMD 803

Milk (1 liter)

$2.47 JMD 386

$2.13 JMD 333

$4.87 JMD 762

White Bread (500g)

$2.69 JMD 421

$1.72 JMD 269

$4.75 JMD 742

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.55 JMD 242

$0.94 JMD 148

$2.68 JMD 420

Eggs

$3.56 JMD 556

$2.53 JMD 396

$6.66 JMD 1,041

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.91 JMD 1,707

$4.33 JMD 676

$24.74 JMD 3,869

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.20 JMD 970

$2.44 JMD 381

$12.38 JMD 1,935

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.66 JMD 1,197

$5.34 JMD 835

$24.93 JMD 3,899

Apples (1kg)

$3.37 JMD 527

$1.84 JMD 287

$9.13 JMD 1,428

Banana (1kg)

$3.12 JMD 488

$1.60 JMD 249

$5.61 JMD 877

Oranges (1kg)

$2.71 JMD 424

$1.85 JMD 289

$13.56 JMD 2,121

Tomato (1kg)

$1.83 JMD 286

$1.12 JMD 175

$6.31 JMD 987

Potato (1kg)

$2.07 JMD 324

$1.14 JMD 178

$3.15 JMD 493

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 JMD 176

$2.83 JMD 443

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.92 JMD 301

$0.96 JMD 150

$3.98 JMD 622

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.00 JMD 156

$0.66 JMD 103

$2.28 JMD 356

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.51 JMD 1,331

$19.45 JMD 3,042

Wine (Bottle)

$11.55 JMD 1,807

$3.21 JMD 502

$22.47 JMD 3,514

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.22 JMD 348

$1.24 JMD 193

$3.42 JMD 534

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 JMD 499

$1.28 JMD 199

$6.39 JMD 999

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 JMD 140

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.91 JMD 142

$0.61 JMD 95.3

$1.82 JMD 284

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.26 JMD 510

$2.93 JMD 459

$3.92 JMD 613

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.31 JMD 987

$4.57 JMD 714

$7.57 JMD 1,184

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 JMD 193

$1.21 JMD 188

$1.54 JMD 241

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

$43.0K JMD 6.7M

$37.7K JMD 5.9M

$44.0K JMD 6.9M

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

$33.3K JMD 5.2M

$29.8K JMD 4.7M

$37.3K JMD 5.8M

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

$165 JMD 25.8K

$127 JMD 19.8K

$317 JMD 49.6K

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

$21.13 JMD 3,305

$17.89 JMD 2,798

$49.26 JMD 7,703

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.07 JMD 7,361

$33.71 JMD 5,272

$64.2 JMD 10.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.11 JMD 5,959

$31.76 JMD 4,966

$50.8 JMD 7,945

Cinema Ticket

$7.38 JMD 1,154

$6.15 JMD 962

$15.38 JMD 2,405

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

$63.7 JMD 9,957

$52.2 JMD 8,161

$282 JMD 44.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,889 JMD 295.4K

$945 JMD 147.7K

$3,778 JMD 590.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.68 JMD 4,015

$12.32 JMD 1,927

$49.30 JMD 7,709

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.89 JMD 3,110

$12.56 JMD 1,964

$31.40 JMD 4,911

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.3 JMD 10.4K

$31.10 JMD 4,863

$87.1 JMD 13.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.2 JMD 11.9K

$25.06 JMD 3,919

$125 JMD 19.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$260 JMD 40.7K

$187 JMD 29.3K

$312 JMD 48.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$454 JMD 70.9K

$156 JMD 24.3K

$1,192 JMD 186.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$671 JMD 104.9K

$479 JMD 74.9K

$958 JMD 149.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$438 JMD 68.5K

$313 JMD 48.9K

$625 JMD 97.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$553 JMD 86.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: March 2, 2026

Montego Bay Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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

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Cost of Living in Montego Bay - Frequently Asked Questions

Montego Bay tends to offer a balance of value and travel-friendly convenience. For many travelers and remote workers, the city can feel more affordable than major Western hubs, especially if you prioritize local eateries, markets, and modest guesthouses over resort stays. The Cost of Living in Montego Bay, Jamaica shifts with the tourist cycle, with higher prices in peak season and more room to haggle or negotiate in quieter months. Long term rentals in walkable neighborhoods often include utilities, which helps budgeting. Where you stay and how you shop will largely shape your monthly rhythm here. Tip: Test a few neighborhoods on short term stays to find your fit.

Getting around and finding a place to call home in Montego Bay is part adventure, part strategy. To keep daily life smooth, start with a few walkable neighborhoods near the coast or airport corridor, then compare longer term rents inland for value. If you are weighing Montego Bay, Jamaica living cost, compare options between short term apartments near the coast and longer term units inland to see how price and convenience align with your work and play. Housing searches go faster with a local contact or a few trusted listing sites; look for inclusive utilities, reliable wifi, and safe access. Food is a mix of markets, casual eateries, and supermarkets. Tip: Build a simple calendar for viewings and errands to keep on track.

Quality of life in Montego Bay hinges on balance, safety, and a pace that fits your preferences. Build a simple budgeting framework: fix housing as a anchor, then divide groceries, transport, and activities, leaving a small cushion for unexpected costs or seasonal price bumps. Shoulder seasons bring a bit more breathing room, while peak tourist periods can raise demand for space and services. Neighborhood fit matters: some people enjoy the buzz of the waterfront, others prefer quieter inland streets with easier parking and faster wifi. Track your actual spend for a couple of weeks, adjust, and keep exploring new corners. Tip: use a lightweight diary or app to monitor trends and save where you can.