Cost of Living in Saint Helena - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Saint Helena
Address: SH

Monthly Cost of Living

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $880 including rent across Saint Helena.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,411 including rent across Saint Helena.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,941 including rent across Saint Helena.

Living costs in Saint Helena vary widely – from $514 in more affordable cities to $1,245 in major hubs, spanning a $731 range across 2 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.09 SHP 12.18

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$55.1 SHP 41.68

$41.31 SHP 31.27

$68.9 SHP 52.1

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.03 SHP 9.11

$10.70 SHP 8.09

$13.37 SHP 10.12

Cappuccino

$3.02 SHP 2.28

$2.68 SHP 2.03

$3.35 SHP 2.54

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

$1.20 SHP 0.91

$0.99 SHP 0.75

$1.38 SHP 1.04

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.17 SHP 0.89

$1.04 SHP 0.79

$1.38 SHP 1.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.72 SHP 3.57

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 SHP 2.06

$2.65 SHP 2.01

$2.80 SHP 2.12

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 SHP 1.43

$1.72 SHP 1.30

$2.07 SHP 1.56

White Bread (500g)

$1.79 SHP 1.36

$1.37 SHP 1.04

$2.11 SHP 1.59

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.39 SHP 1.05

Eggs

$4.21 SHP 3.19

$1.93 SHP 1.46

$5.35 SHP 4.05

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.21 SHP 6.21

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.08 SHP 8.39

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 SHP 8.25

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.69 SHP 2.03

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.28 SHP 1.72

$1.80 SHP 1.36

$2.76 SHP 2.09

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.48 SHP 8.69

$9.45 SHP 7.15

$12.15 SHP 9.20

Wine (Bottle)

$15.51 SHP 11.74

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.30 SHP 31.26

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.70 SHP 2.04

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.58 SHP 1.95

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$164 SHP 124

$109 SHP 82.3

$219 SHP 166

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$13.60 SHP 10.29

$6.80 SHP 5.14

$20.40 SHP 15.44

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.33 SHP 31.28

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.14 SHP 15.25

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$47.62 SHP 36.04

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$693 SHP 524

$671 SHP 508

$738 SHP 558

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$605 SHP 458

$537 SHP 407

$672 SHP 508

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$704 SHP 533

$670 SHP 507

$737 SHP 558

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$663 SHP 501

$538 SHP 407

$759 SHP 575

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$773 SHP 585

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.2

5.4

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

Last update: June 16, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $707 in Saint Helena. For reference, capital rent is $669 in Jamestown, and $744 in Half Tree Hollow.

National average salary: $789. With average costs at $880, the gap is significant. Expats and remote workers with foreign income benefit most.

Expect to spend about $129 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $59.0 for two.

In Jamestown (capital), expect about $1,245 per month, while Half Tree Hollow offers the lowest costs at $514 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($880) is 34% below the global median of $1,333.

Dining out ($59.0) is 23% above the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($40.00) is 21% above the global median of $33.00.

By City in Saint Helena

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Half Tree Hollow	-		$473	$514	$1,292	$1,664	58.59	12.89
2	Jamestown	600		$701	$1,245	$1,322	$2,217	91.03	12.89

Saint Helena 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

Cost of Living in Saint Helena - Frequently Asked Questions

Saint Helena is a remote destination where value shows up in simplicity and steady routines. The Cost of Living in Saint Helena shifts with supply cycles and personal choices, so you’ll find that basic comforts can feel reasonable if you keep expectations aligned with available options. Local markets often offer fresh produce and staples, while many imported goods carry a premium. If you favor a modest home, predictable monthly costs can be manageable, and low commuting needs help balance leisure time. The island’s pace encourages deliberate budgeting and choice over quantity, which some travelers and nomads value for focus and lifestyle balance. Tip: Plan with a flexible budget and build in seasonal variations.

Daily life centers on manageable routines and careful planning. In housing, you’ll find a small but charming mix of cottages and hillside homes, with Jamestown and Half Tree Hollow offering proximity to services. Food options lean on local markets plus regular imports, so have a shopping plan around shipment days. For transport, expect limited public options; walking, cycling, and car hire are common depending on your work setup. Errands are possible but may require a short trip to the main town. Co-working spaces or cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi can serve as focused work spots. Saint Helena living cost tends to reflect import dependence, so budget for occasional convenience items. Tip: align errands with shipping schedules to save time and fuel.

Quality of life hinges on choosing a neighborhood that fits how you work and unwind. Jamestown offers compact access to the essentials, while hillside areas give quieter mornings and better views, at trade-offs like longer walks to shops. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate essentials from discretionary spending, plan for import-related fluctuations, and set a monthly buffer for surprise costs. Embrace slow season rhythm and local events to maximize value for your time. For a balanced routine, mix outdoor activities with indoor work and lean into local networks to learn about deals and swaps. Tip: keep a flexible schedule to adapt to changing services and weather.

As of 2026, living expenses in Saint Helena span $514 to $1,245 monthly. Capitals and tourist hotspots sit at the top end; provincial towns offer substantially cheaper living.

Saint Helena covers a wide cost spectrum. As of 2026, monthly expenses run from about $514 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $1,245 in the priciest areas. The gap is big enough to meaningfully affect lifestyle for anyone on a fixed income.

Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in Saint Helena drop fast. Half Tree Hollow is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$1,000 a month goes far in Saint Helena, especially outside the big cities. It's a realistic single-person budget that covers housing, food, transport, and leisure comfortably.

Living in Saint Helena is cheap by global standards. Regional cities offer the best value, with the capital Jamestown sitting higher. Low living costs are one of the country's main draws for expats, retirees, and anyone stretching a budget.