Cost of Living in Montego Bay - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $742 (excluding rent), and $1,268 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,596 (excluding rent), and $2,282 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.41 JMD 1,171

$3.09 JMD 488

$15.45 JMD 2,441

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.0 JMD 8,062

$38.27 JMD 6,047

$153 JMD 24.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.54 JMD 1,191

$6.28 JMD 993

$10.05 JMD 1,589

Cappuccino

$4.30 JMD 680

$0.74 JMD 117

$12.41 JMD 1,961

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

$1.30 JMD 206

$0.73 JMD 115

$2.92 JMD 461

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 JMD 111

$0.48 JMD 76.2

$2.89 JMD 457

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.54 JMD 401

$1.27 JMD 200

$8.11 JMD 1,282

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.16 JMD 500

$1.65 JMD 260

$5.06 JMD 800

Milk (1 liter)

$2.47 JMD 391

$2.13 JMD 337

$4.88 JMD 770

White Bread (500g)

$2.78 JMD 439

$1.77 JMD 280

$4.89 JMD 773

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.62 JMD 256

$0.99 JMD 156

$2.82 JMD 445

Eggs

$3.54 JMD 559

$2.52 JMD 398

$6.62 JMD 1,046

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.93 JMD 1,727

$4.33 JMD 685

$24.78 JMD 3,915

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.40 JMD 1,011

$2.52 JMD 398

$12.77 JMD 2,018

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.73 JMD 1,221

$5.39 JMD 851

$25.16 JMD 3,976

Apples (1kg)

$3.43 JMD 542

$1.87 JMD 295

$9.29 JMD 1,468

Banana (1kg)

$3.15 JMD 498

$1.61 JMD 255

$5.67 JMD 896

Oranges (1kg)

$2.71 JMD 428

$1.85 JMD 292

$13.55 JMD 2,142

Tomato (1kg)

$1.85 JMD 292

$1.13 JMD 179

$6.38 JMD 1,009

Potato (1kg)

$2.00 JMD 317

$1.10 JMD 174

$3.04 JMD 481

Onion (1kg)

$1.08 JMD 171

$2.72 JMD 429

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.91 JMD 301

$0.95 JMD 151

$3.95 JMD 624

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.97 JMD 153

$0.64 JMD 101

$2.21 JMD 350

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.74 JMD 1,381

$19.98 JMD 3,157

Wine (Bottle)

$11.56 JMD 1,827

$3.21 JMD 508

$22.49 JMD 3,553

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 JMD 333

$1.17 JMD 185

$3.24 JMD 512

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.15 JMD 497

$1.26 JMD 199

$6.29 JMD 994

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.98 JMD 155

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.93 JMD 147

$0.62 JMD 98.2

$1.85 JMD 293

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.11 JMD 492

$2.80 JMD 442

$3.74 JMD 591

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.41 JMD 1,014

$4.64 JMD 733

$7.70 JMD 1,216

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 JMD 203

$1.26 JMD 198

$1.60 JMD 253

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

$43.7K JMD 6.9M

$38.3K JMD 6.1M

$44.7K JMD 7.1M

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

$33.4K JMD 5.3M

$29.9K JMD 4.7M

$37.4K JMD 5.9M

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

$164 JMD 25.9K

$126 JMD 19.9K

$315 JMD 49.7K

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

$21.50 JMD 3,397

$18.20 JMD 2,876

$50.1 JMD 7,919

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.95 JMD 7,576

$34.34 JMD 5,427

$65.4 JMD 10.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.30 JMD 6,051

$31.92 JMD 5,043

$51.1 JMD 8,068

Cinema Ticket

$7.62 JMD 1,204

$6.35 JMD 1,003

$15.87 JMD 2,508

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

$64.1 JMD 10.1K

$52.5 JMD 8,296

$284 JMD 44.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,879 JMD 296.9K

$940 JMD 148.5K

$3,759 JMD 593.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.87 JMD 4,088

$12.42 JMD 1,962

$49.67 JMD 7,849

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.06 JMD 3,169

$12.66 JMD 2,001

$31.67 JMD 5,004

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.6 JMD 10.7K

$31.68 JMD 5,006

$88.7 JMD 14.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.9 JMD 12.0K

$24.96 JMD 3,944

$125 JMD 19.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$259 JMD 40.9K

$187 JMD 29.5K

$311 JMD 49.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$461 JMD 72.8K

$158 JMD 25.0K

$1,212 JMD 191.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$649 JMD 102.6K

$464 JMD 73.3K

$928 JMD 146.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$442 JMD 69.9K

$316 JMD 49.9K

$632 JMD 99.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$557 JMD 88.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: April 13, 2026

Montego Bay Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 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

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.