Cost of Living in Santa Cruz - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $726 (excluding rent), and $877 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,852 (excluding rent), and $1,979 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.7 JMD 1,226

$5.78 JMD 920

$16.04 JMD 2,554

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$61.7 JMD 9,817

$43.16 JMD 6,871

$123 JMD 19.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.96 JMD 1,427

$7.68 JMD 1,222

$10.24 JMD 1,630

Cappuccino

$4.45 JMD 709

$1.61 JMD 256

$7.07 JMD 1,125

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

$1.36 JMD 216

$0.95 JMD 152

$1.9 JMD 303

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.7 JMD 111

$0.48 JMD 76.4

$1.2 JMD 191

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.46 JMD 391

$1.23 JMD 196

$3.08 JMD 490

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.1 JMD 494

$1.62 JMD 257

$4.97 JMD 790

Milk (1 liter)

$4.39 JMD 699

$3.19 JMD 508

$5.1 JMD 813

White Bread (500g)

$3.48 JMD 554

$2.76 JMD 439

$4.73 JMD 752

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.55 JMD 246

$1.22 JMD 194

$2.35 JMD 375

Eggs

$3.61 JMD 574

$2.57 JMD 409

$3.87 JMD 615

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.14 JMD 1,773

$4.41 JMD 703

$17.67 JMD 2,813

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.28 JMD 999

$2.47 JMD 393

$9.53 JMD 1,517

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.59 JMD 1,208

$5.29 JMD 842

$9.59 JMD 1,526

Apples (1kg)

$6.02 JMD 958

$1.88 JMD 300

$9.36 JMD 1,489

Banana (1kg)

$3.11 JMD 495

$1.59 JMD 253

$5.6 JMD 891

Oranges (1kg)

$4.2 JMD 669

$1.87 JMD 298

$13.75 JMD 2,190

Tomato (1kg)

$2.93 JMD 466

$1.11 JMD 177

$6.1 JMD 971

Potato (1kg)

$2.04 JMD 325

$1.12 JMD 178

$3.1 JMD 494

Onion (1kg)

$2 JMD 318

$1.15 JMD 183

$2.8 JMD 446

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.1 JMD 494

$1.27 JMD 203

$3.96 JMD 630

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 JMD 231

$0.62 JMD 99.2

$2.17 JMD 345

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.85 JMD 1,408

$20.21 JMD 3,218

Wine (Bottle)

$11.36 JMD 1,809

$4.42 JMD 703

$18.94 JMD 3,016

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.89 JMD 460

$1.6 JMD 255

$3.39 JMD 539

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.04 JMD 485

$1.22 JMD 194

$6.09 JMD 969

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.08 JMD 171

$0.92 JMD 146

$1.84 JMD 293

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.19 JMD 508

$2.87 JMD 457

$3.84 JMD 611

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.3 JMD 1,003

$4.56 JMD 726

$7.56 JMD 1,204

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 JMD 202

$1.24 JMD 197

$1.32 JMD 210

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

$42.9K JMD 6.8M

$37.5K JMD 6M

$43.8K JMD 7M

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

$33.4K JMD 5.3M

$29.9K JMD 4.8M

$37.4K JMD 5.9M

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

$162 JMD 25.8K

$124 JMD 19.8K

$205 JMD 32.6K

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

$22.28 JMD 3,546

$18.3 JMD 2,914

$37.87 JMD 6,028

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$51.9 JMD 8,265

$44.63 JMD 7,104

$63.8 JMD 10.1K

Cinema Ticket

$12.89 JMD 2,052

$9.2 JMD 1,465

$15.34 JMD 2,442

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

$224 JMD 35.7K

$155 JMD 24.7K

$279 JMD 44.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,462 JMD 391.9K

$931 JMD 148.2K

$3,724 JMD 592.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26 JMD 4,139

$12.48 JMD 1,986

$43.68 JMD 6,953

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.55 JMD 4,067

$15.64 JMD 2,489

$31.28 JMD 4,980

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.7 JMD 11.4K

$63.3 JMD 10.1K

$75.9 JMD 12.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.5 JMD 12.2K

$44.01 JMD 7,006

$113 JMD 18K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.15

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

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Cost of Living in Santa Cruz - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Santa Cruz, Jamaica is generally approachable for a slow-paced coastal town. You’ll find modest, well-kept apartments and guesthouses that suit longer stays, with local markets offering fresh produce and affordable staples. Dining out favors casual eateries over resort dining, and transport costs stay reasonable with buses and shared taxis. In comparison to Kingston or Montego Bay, you may trade a wider array of amenities for steadier prices and a calmer rhythm. Seasonal tourism can shift prices briefly, but everyday life remains consistent for most residents. It’s a good fit for those who value simplicity, community feel, and predictable, walkable streets. Tip: Plan longer stays to maximize value.

Daily life in Santa Cruz, Jamaica offers practical rhythms for housing, food, transport, and errands. Housing search often centers on family-run guesthouses, small apartments, or room shares in central areas, with longer leases offering better monthly rates. Food options range from bustling markets with tropical fruit and staples to casual eateries serving hearty stews and jerk meals. Transport is affordable via buses and route taxis; walking or biking works well in the town core. For remote work or light coworking, you’ll find cafes with Wi-Fi and a few shared spaces, though options are more limited outside peak season. Santa Cruz, Jamaica living cost can help shape your approach. Tip: Start with a week-long scout of neighborhoods, then commit to a base that fits your work and routine.

Quality of life hinges on budgeting, seasonality, and neighborhood fit. Use a simple framework: essentials first (rent, utilities, groceries), lifestyle costs second (eating out, activities), and a small reserve for unexpected needs. In Santa Cruz, Jamaica, the dry and rainy seasons gently shift daily routines rather than prices, so plan for occasional rain showers and heat. Neighborhood choice matters: central areas offer markets and cafes within easy reach, while hillside pockets offer quieter streets and better views but longer walks for errands. Embrace a flexible pace, track spending for a few weeks, and layer in low-cost activities like beach trips or public events. Tip: Build a monthly plan that adapts to changing workloads and weather.