Last update: Oct 2026 87.1K

Cost of Living in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Name: U.S. Virgin Islands
Address: VI

Across the U.S. Virgin Islands, living costs for one person average $3,888 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about half of the total. Other living expenses average about $65 a day.

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🇻🇮 U.S. Virgin Islands

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in the U.S. Virgin Islands actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $3,888 including rent across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

$3,888 /mo

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $6,705 including rent across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

$6,705 /mo

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $9,522 including rent across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

$9,522 /mo

Living costs in the U.S. Virgin Islands vary widely – from $322 in the most affordable city to $6,072 in the most expensive one, spanning a $5,750 range across 9 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.67 $24.67

$19.74 $19.74

$39.47 $39.47

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$147 $147

$91.2 $91.2

$177 $177

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.19 $12.19

$10.16 $10.16

$15.23 $15.23

Cappuccino

$7.35 $7.35

$1.50 $1.50

$11.03 $11.03

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

$3.29 $3.29

$3.07 $3.07

$4.10 $4.10

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.65 $2.65

$2.03 $2.03

$5.08 $5.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.86 $6.86

$3.92 $3.92

$7.84 $7.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.80 $6.80

$5.83 $5.83

$9.72 $9.72

Milk (1 liter)

$2.84 $2.84

$1.90 $1.90

$4.08 $4.08

White Bread (500g)

$6.53 $6.53

$5.18 $5.18

$8.84 $8.84

Rice (white) (1kg)

$16.17 $16.17

$10.81 $10.81

$19.44 $19.44

Eggs

$8.69 $8.69

$4.11 $4.11

$12.34 $12.34

Local Cheese (1kg)

$23.69 $23.69

$4.96 $4.96

$31.73 $31.73

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$25.22 $25.22

$9.82 $9.82

$32.75 $32.75

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$31.69 $31.69

$23.89 $23.89

$39.49 $39.49

Apples (1kg)

$13.54 $13.54

$5.06 $5.06

$22.11 $22.11

Banana (1kg)

$7.71 $7.71

$4.11 $4.11

$11.31 $11.31

Oranges (1kg)

$11.58 $11.58

$4.47 $4.47

$17.95 $17.95

Tomato (1kg)

$13.65 $13.65

$3.53 $3.53

$19.96 $19.96

Potato (1kg)

$4.77 $4.77

$1.89 $1.89

$7.65 $7.65

Onion (1kg)

$7.61 $7.61

$2.80 $2.80

$8.68 $8.68

Lettuce (1 head)

$5.62 $5.62

$2.53 $2.53

$7.82 $7.82

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$4.69 $4.69

$3.40 $3.40

$5.82 $5.82

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.88 $6.88

$4.91 $4.91

$8.85 $8.85

Wine (Bottle)

$23.33 $23.33

$12.17 $12.17

$25.36 $25.36

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.95 $2.95

$1.47 $1.47

$4.42 $4.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.46 $6.46

$6.12 $6.12

$7.14 $7.14

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$6.04 $6.04

$2.01 $2.01

$7.05 $7.05

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$104 $104

$59.2 $59.2

$148 $148

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$20.39 $20.39

$40.79 $40.79

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.06 $3.06

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$50.1 $50.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.98 $0.98

$1.55 $1.55

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

$50.6K $50.6K

$45.5K $45.5K

$55.7K $55.7K

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

$53.8K $53.8K

$42.4K $42.4K

$55.6K $55.6K

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

$384 $384

$295 $295

$788 $788

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

$89.3 $89.3

$59.5 $59.5

$139 $139

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$86.2 $86.2

$55.6 $55.6

$129 $129

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$154 $154

$59.9 $59.9

$200 $200

Cinema Ticket

$11.93 $11.93

$7.95 $7.95

$11.93 $11.93

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

$1,512 $1,512

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.5K $16.5K

$13.3K $13.3K

$22.4K $22.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$81.1 $81.1

$49.64 $49.64

$114 $114

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$70.1 $70.1

$11.90 $11.90

$149 $149

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$123 $123

$83.7 $83.7

$197 $197

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$124 $124

$99.2 $99.2

$149 $149

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,679 $1,679

$1,247 $1,247

$2,494 $2,494

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,518 $1,518

$996 $996

$3,485 $3,485

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,850 $3,850

$3,477 $3,477

$4,968 $4,968

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,171 $4,171

$3,034 $3,034

$5,561 $5,561

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.3K $10.3K

$7,441 $7,441

$12.8K $12.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.0K $11.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,885 $3,885

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.72

4.2

9.9

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

Last update: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

U.S. Virgin Islands $3,888

Accommodation & Living

$1.5K 39.1%

Groceries & Markets

$896 23.1%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$560 14.4%

Eating Out

$394 10.1%

Clothing & Footwear

$179 4.6%

Sport & Entertainment

$177 4.6%

Getting Around

$163 4.2%

Cost Breakdown

National average salary: $4,193. With average costs at $3,888, most workers manage but need to budget carefully.

Expect to spend about $506 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $132 for two.

In Charlotte Amalie (capital), expect about $2,347 per month, while St John offers the lowest costs at $322 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($3,888) is 186% above the global median of $1,361.

Average rent ($1,916) is 190% above the global median of $661.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($132) is 175% above the global median of $48.

Public transport ($104) is 215% above the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

04:04 4:04 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

87,146

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.899 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

By City in the U.S. Virgin Islands

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	Charlotte Amalie	14477		$1,057	$2,347	$2,688	$5,931	113.95	145.94
2	Christiansted	1866		$799	$2,391	$2,309	$3,112	661.03	126.95
3	Cruz Bay	2743		$1,049	$2,911	$2,616	$6,503	45	139.1
4	Frederiksted	528		$347	$347	$1,132	$1,132	46.17	86.49
5	Kingshill	50601						158.46	126.95
6	Saint Croix	50601		$833	$833	$2,553	$2,553	49.84	126.95
7	Saint John Island	4170	294	$2,304	$6,072	$5,719	$10.5K	-	-
8	St John	2743		$322	$322	$1,531	$1,531	11.67	139.1
9	St Thomas	20000	211	$2,130	$4,405	$5,353	$10.1K	364.2	139.1

The U.S. Virgin Islands 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 the U.S. Virgin Islands - Frequently Asked Questions

Affordability in the Us Virgin Islands varies by island and lifestyle, but it leans toward a premium feel compared with many mainland and Caribbean destinations. The Cost of Living in Us Virgin Islands reflects island logistics, tourism demand, and imported goods, with real value found in longer leases, local markets, and choosing a less touristed neighborhood. Digital nomads may stretch value by sharing coworking spaces, negotiating extended rents, or cooking at home rather than dining out every night. Short stays near job hubs or ferry routes can be pricier, so consider shoulder seasons and flexible housing to balance work needs with leisure. Tip: Map your priorities, test several neighborhoods in shoulder season, and set a realistic weekly budget.

Daily life blends outdoor appeal with practical logistics. Housing options range from waterfront apartments to inland cottages, with lease lengths and inclusions driving pricing more than size alone. For food, local markets offer fresh produce and affordable staples, while many goods come through imports and can shift with seasonality or supply. Getting around relies on cars or scooters; ferries connect St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, and some towns are walkable or bike-friendly. For remote work, look for coworking spaces with reliable wifi and quiet corners, plus cafes with power outlets. When shopping for housing, start with reputable local agents, visit at different times of day, and confirm utilities and internet reliability. Us Virgin Islands living cost helps you calibrate weekly plans. Tip: Test a few neighborhoods during varied days and talk to current residents.

To maximize quality of life, build a simple budgeting framework focused on housing, groceries, transport, and discretionary adventures. Prioritize long-term rentals in stable neighborhoods to avoid seasonal spikes, and compare neighborhoods by how easy daily routines feel – walkability, access to beaches, and safety. Adopt smart habits: cook at home several nights, buy seasonal produce at markets, share coworking space, and plan outings during off-peak months to enjoy lower crowds. Seasonality shapes choices: far from peak tourism you’ll find quieter streets and better deals, while high season brings more activity and events you can join. Neighborhood fit comes from visiting at different times and talking with locals about commute times and noise levels. Tip: set a monthly common-sense goal and adjust as your routine evolves.

As of 2026, living expenses in the U.S. Virgin Islands span $322 to $6,072 monthly. Which city you choose has a big effect on your budget.

The U.S. Virgin Islands covers a wide cost spectrum. As of 2026, monthly expenses run from about $322 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $6,072 in the priciest areas. The gap is big enough to meaningfully affect lifestyle for anyone on a fixed income.