Cost of Living in Montego Bay - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $594 (excluding rent), and $1,308 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,602 (excluding rent), and $2,245 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.58 JMD 1,195

$3.16 JMD 498

$15.80 JMD 2,490

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.3 JMD 7,925

$37.72 JMD 5,944

$151 JMD 23.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.33 JMD 1,155

$6.11 JMD 962

$9.78 JMD 1,541

Cappuccino

$4.43 JMD 698

$0.77 JMD 121

$12.78 JMD 2,013

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

$1.37 JMD 216

$0.77 JMD 121

$3.07 JMD 483

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.72 JMD 113

$0.49 JMD 77.7

$2.96 JMD 466

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.55 JMD 402

$1.28 JMD 201

$8.17 JMD 1,287

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 JMD 503

$1.66 JMD 262

$5.11 JMD 805

Milk (1 liter)

$2.61 JMD 411

$2.25 JMD 354

$5.14 JMD 810

White Bread (500g)

$2.72 JMD 428

$1.73 JMD 273

$4.79 JMD 754

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.61 JMD 253

$0.98 JMD 154

$2.79 JMD 439

Eggs

$3.47 JMD 546

$2.47 JMD 389

$6.49 JMD 1,022

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.93 JMD 1,722

$4.33 JMD 682

$24.77 JMD 3,903

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.51 JMD 1,025

$2.56 JMD 403

$12.99 JMD 2,046

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.57 JMD 1,192

$5.28 JMD 831

$24.64 JMD 3,883

Apples (1kg)

$3.53 JMD 556

$1.92 JMD 303

$9.55 JMD 1,505

Banana (1kg)

$3.11 JMD 490

$1.59 JMD 250

$5.59 JMD 881

Oranges (1kg)

$2.82 JMD 444

$1.92 JMD 302

$14.09 JMD 2,220

Tomato (1kg)

$1.83 JMD 289

$1.12 JMD 177

$6.33 JMD 997

Potato (1kg)

$2.04 JMD 322

$1.12 JMD 177

$3.11 JMD 489

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 JMD 177

$2.82 JMD 445

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.84 JMD 290

$0.92 JMD 145

$3.80 JMD 599

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 JMD 155

$0.65 JMD 102

$2.25 JMD 354

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.88 JMD 1,400

$20.30 JMD 3,198

Wine (Bottle)

$11.50 JMD 1,811

$3.19 JMD 503

$22.35 JMD 3,522

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 JMD 334

$1.18 JMD 185

$3.26 JMD 513

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 JMD 485

$1.23 JMD 194

$6.15 JMD 969

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 JMD 146

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.98 JMD 155

$0.66 JMD 104

$1.97 JMD 310

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.23 JMD 508

$2.90 JMD 457

$3.87 JMD 610

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.23 JMD 981

$4.51 JMD 710

$7.47 JMD 1,177

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 JMD 201

$1.25 JMD 197

$1.59 JMD 251

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

$42.9K JMD 6.8M

$37.6K JMD 5.9M

$43.8K JMD 6.9M

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

$33.2K JMD 5.2M

$29.7K JMD 4.7M

$37.1K JMD 5.9M

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

$160 JMD 25.3K

$123 JMD 19.4K

$307 JMD 48.4K

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

$21.82 JMD 3,438

$18.47 JMD 2,911

$50.9 JMD 8,014

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.74 JMD 7,365

$33.48 JMD 5,275

$63.8 JMD 10.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.18 JMD 6,015

$31.82 JMD 5,013

$50.9 JMD 8,019

Cinema Ticket

$7.68 JMD 1,211

$6.41 JMD 1,009

$16.01 JMD 2,523

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

$64.9 JMD 10.2K

$53.2 JMD 8,376

$287 JMD 45.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,907 JMD 300.4K

$953 JMD 150.2K

$3,814 JMD 600.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.27 JMD 4,140

$12.61 JMD 1,986

$50.4 JMD 7,947

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.59 JMD 3,087

$12.37 JMD 1,949

$30.94 JMD 4,875

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.6 JMD 10.5K

$31.23 JMD 4,921

$87.5 JMD 13.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.1 JMD 11.8K

$24.70 JMD 3,892

$124 JMD 19.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$263 JMD 41.4K

$189 JMD 29.8K

$315 JMD 49.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$450 JMD 71.0K

$154 JMD 24.3K

$1,184 JMD 186.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$654 JMD 103.0K

$467 JMD 73.6K

$934 JMD 147.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$433 JMD 68.3K

$309 JMD 48.8K

$619 JMD 97.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$555 JMD 87.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Montego Bay Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

223

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

City tags:

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.