Cost of Living in Portsmouth - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $929 monthly including rent, or $697 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,660 with rent, or $1,194 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,391 including rent, or $1,690 for daily expenses alone.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.57 EC$15.04
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.6 EC$150
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.74 EC$18.20
-
Cappuccino
$2.54 EC$6.86
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16 EC$5.84
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89 EC$5.10
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.55 EC$6.87
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79 EC$10.23
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.76 EC$7.46
-
White Bread (500g)
$2.18 EC$5.90
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.07 EC$5.60
-
Eggs
$6.56 EC$17.71
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.67 EC$7.20
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.59 EC$15.09
-
Apples (1kg)
$7.31 EC$19.74
-
Banana (1kg)
$2.57 EC$6.93
-
Oranges (1kg)
$3.98 EC$10.75
-
Tomato (1kg)
$4.18 EC$11.28
-
Potato (1kg)
$2.90 EC$7.83
-
Onion (1kg)
$2.79 EC$7.55
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.87 EC$5.04
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.81 EC$4.89
-
Wine (Bottle)
$11.00 EC$29.70
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.81 EC$4.90
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62 EC$7.08
-
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.77 EC$2.08
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.72 EC$10.05
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.60 EC$9.73
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$39.99 EC$108
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.3 EC$176
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.61 EC$102
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.01 EC$29.72
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1 EC$149
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.23 EC$65.4
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$54.4 EC$147
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.9 EC$183
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$262 EC$708
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$225 EC$608
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$679 EC$1,833
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$631 EC$1,703
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$627 EC$1,692
-

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

Last update: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $262 for a central one-bedroom, or $225 outside the center. At 42% of the average salary ($627), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $627, while typical expenses reach $929. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $289 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $56.0 for two.

Cost Highlights

1-bedroom apartment, city center is cheaper than 99% of cities in North America

Meal at budget restaurant is cheaper than 99% of cities in North America

1-bedroom apartment, outside city center is cheaper than 99% of cities in North America

Portsmouth Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
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Latency
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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 Portsmouth - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portsmouth, Dominica a good value overall for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with other Caribbean towns?
Portsmouth presents a balanced option for value seekers, especially if you enjoy a laid-back pace and nature. In general you’ll find costs skewed toward reasonable daily expenses, with markets offering fresh produce, modest dining options, and affordable local services relative to larger cities. For longer stays, you’ll want to compare small guesthouses or self-catering apartments rather than resort-style rooms. The vibe favors savings through local routines and outdoor activities, rather than high-end entertainment. Cost of Living in Portsmouth, Dominica can be more approachable than many Caribbean hubs, particularly outside peak seasons. Tip: Start with a short-term rental to test neighborhoods before committing long term.
What does daily life look like in Portsmouth, including housing options, food, transport, and coworking or errands?
Daily life in Portsmouth centers on a relaxed rhythm and easy access to nature. For housing, you’ll find guesthouses, small apartments, and hillside rentals that suit short-term stays or longer visits; expect straightforward contracts and clear terms when negotiating. Food is abundant at markets and roadside stalls, with fresh produce and seafood at good value. Transport is mostly by shared minibuses, buses, or scooters – easy to get around town and to nearby beaches. For work, a few cafes offer wifi and a quiet vibe, but occasional slowdowns can happen. Portsmouth, Dominica living cost varies by season and proximity to the water. Tip: Map a few backup coffee spots and a reliable SIM plan.
What budgeting strategies and neighborhood fits help you maximize quality of life in Portsmouth without over-spending?
Quality of life in Portsmouth tends to reward simplicity, outdoor recreation, and connection to the local community. Build a budgeting framework around flexible plans: choose a base that fits a reasonable rent, plus groceries and utilities, then test your tolerance for seasonal tourism shifts. To save, cook at home, buy from farmers' markets, and choose neighborhoods that balance price with access to beaches, shops, and a bus route. For neighborhood fit, consider hillside areas for views and quiet, versus the town center for convenience and nightlife, then test walkability during a few evenings. Tip: keep a monthly calendar of local market days and festival periods to anticipate crowds and prices.
What makes Portsmouth a budget-friendly city to live in?
Compared to most cities worldwide, Portsmouth is just cheap – all-in costs average $929 monthly. Both housing and daily necessities sit below the international median, which explains its popularity with budget travelers, nomads, and locals on modest incomes.
How affordable is daily life in Portsmouth?
Your money goes further in Portsmouth than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $929 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
Is the average income in Portsmouth enough to cover living costs and save?
At $627 take-home, most residents in Portsmouth can cover the $929 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,393 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What is the price of renting a flat in Portsmouth?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Portsmouth range from $225 to $262, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
What does fitness cost in Portsmouth?
Fitness in Portsmouth is cheap at around $37.61 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.
Is grocery shopping affordable in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $289, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Portsmouth?
$1,000 stretches far in Portsmouth – all-in monthly costs average only $929. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
Is Portsmouth expat-friendly?
Expats in Portsmouth enjoy low crime rates, clean air, coastal lifestyle, and monthly costs average around $929. The international crowd is active and welcoming, and practical stuff – bank accounts, apartment hunting, healthcare – is all manageable with some basic prep.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Portsmouth?
Monthly expenses in Portsmouth run around $929, so putting money aside takes more than $1,393 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Can you backpack through Portsmouth cheaply?
Budget travelers love Portsmouth – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $929 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

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