Cost of Living in Montego Bay - Updated Prices & Insights

47.83

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $679 (excluding rent), and $1,317 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,672 (excluding rent), and $2,247 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.34 JMD 1,168

$3.06 JMD 487

$15.29 JMD 2,433

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.3 JMD 8,010

$37.74 JMD 6,008

$151 JMD 24K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.42 JMD 1,182

$6.19 JMD 985

$9.91 JMD 1,577

Cappuccino

$4.37 JMD 695

$0.75 JMD 120

$12.6 JMD 2,006

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

$1.35 JMD 215

$0.76 JMD 120

$3.03 JMD 482

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 JMD 120

$0.52 JMD 82.2

$3.1 JMD 493

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.46 JMD 392

$1.23 JMD 196

$7.89 JMD 1,255

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.04 JMD 484

$1.58 JMD 252

$4.87 JMD 774

Milk (1 liter)

$2.59 JMD 412

$2.23 JMD 355

$5.11 JMD 813

White Bread (500g)

$2.68 JMD 426

$1.71 JMD 272

$4.72 JMD 752

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 JMD 246

$0.94 JMD 150

$2.68 JMD 427

Eggs

$3.57 JMD 568

$2.54 JMD 405

$6.68 JMD 1,063

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.91 JMD 1,737

$4.33 JMD 689

$24.74 JMD 3,938

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.18 JMD 983

$2.43 JMD 386

$12.32 JMD 1,962

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.62 JMD 1,212

$5.31 JMD 845

$24.81 JMD 3,949

Apples (1kg)

$3.36 JMD 535

$1.83 JMD 291

$9.09 JMD 1,448

Banana (1kg)

$2.99 JMD 476

$1.53 JMD 244

$5.38 JMD 856

Oranges (1kg)

$2.78 JMD 442

$1.89 JMD 301

$13.91 JMD 2,214

Tomato (1kg)

$1.82 JMD 290

$1.11 JMD 177

$6.28 JMD 999

Potato (1kg)

$2.03 JMD 323

$1.11 JMD 177

$3.09 JMD 491

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 JMD 170

$2.68 JMD 427

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.85 JMD 294

$0.92 JMD 147

$3.82 JMD 609

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 JMD 145

$0.6 JMD 95.5

$2.08 JMD 332

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.76 JMD 1,394

$20.01 JMD 3,186

Wine (Bottle)

$11.33 JMD 1,804

$4.4 JMD 701

$18.89 JMD 3,007

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.14 JMD 341

$1.19 JMD 189

$3.29 JMD 524

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 JMD 490

$1.23 JMD 196

$6.16 JMD 980

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.9 JMD 143

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.98 JMD 156

$0.66 JMD 105

$1.96 JMD 313

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.13 JMD 498

$2.81 JMD 448

$3.76 JMD 598

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.08 JMD 967

$4.4 JMD 700

$7.29 JMD 1,161

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 JMD 203

$1.25 JMD 198

$1.59 JMD 253

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

$42.1K JMD 6.7M

$36.9K JMD 5.9M

$43K JMD 6.8M

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

$33.8K JMD 5.4M

$30.3K JMD 4.8M

$37.9K JMD 6M

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

$163 JMD 25.9K

$125 JMD 19.8K

$312 JMD 49.6K

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

$21.49 JMD 3,421

$18.2 JMD 2,897

$50.1 JMD 7,975

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.44 JMD 7,551

$33.98 JMD 5,409

$64.7 JMD 10.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.04 JMD 6,056

$31.71 JMD 5,047

$50.7 JMD 8,075

Cinema Ticket

$7.68 JMD 1,223

$6.4 JMD 1,019

$16.01 JMD 2,548

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

$64.5 JMD 10.3K

$52.8 JMD 8,409

$285 JMD 45.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,892 JMD 301.2K

$946 JMD 150.6K

$3,784 JMD 602.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.96 JMD 4,132

$12.46 JMD 1,983

$49.84 JMD 7,934

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.16 JMD 3,209

$12.73 JMD 2,026

$31.83 JMD 5,067

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.3 JMD 10.7K

$31.53 JMD 5,019

$88.3 JMD 14.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.7 JMD 11.9K

$24.56 JMD 3,909

$123 JMD 19.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$257 JMD 41K

$185 JMD 29.5K

$309 JMD 49.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$451 JMD 71.8K

$155 JMD 24.6K

$1,185 JMD 188.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$651 JMD 103.6K

$465 JMD 74K

$930 JMD 148.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$431 JMD 68.5K

$308 JMD 49K

$615 JMD 97.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$502 JMD 79.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

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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.