Bahamas (BS)
An English-speaking Caribbean archipelago close to Florida, known for high-end tourism, no personal income tax, strong financial services, second-home communities, turquoise water and very high island living costs.
Capital: Nassau
Region: Americas
Language: English
Currency: BSD ($)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 75)
Emergency: 911
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Bahamas — 2026 data in BSD.
75
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Moderately priced. Similar to or slightly less than Western European averages.
Food & Groceries
Bread (local bakery loaf) BSD 4–8
Milk (1L, imported) BSD 4–7
Eggs (12, imported) BSD 4–8
Chicken (1kg) BSD 8–15
Fresh conch (iconic Bahamian seafood, cleaned portion) BSD 5–12
Beer (0.5L, Kalik, supermarket) BSD 4–8
Rum (750ml, local / Bacardi Nassau) BSD 20–45
Monthly groceries for 1 person BSD 400–900
Dining Out
Conch fritters (iconic Bahamian street food) BSD 10–20
Cracked conch or fried fish plate BSD 15–35
Casual restaurant meal for 1 BSD 25–55
Coffee BSD 5–12
Kalik beer in a bar BSD 6–12
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) BSD 80–200
Rent
1-bed Nassau apartment (local area) BSD 1,500–3,000/month
3-bed family house, secure neighbourhood BSD 3,500–8,000+/month
Premium rental (Paradise Island / Lyford Cay) BSD 7,000–25,000+/month
Room in shared flat BSD 700–1,500/month
Utilities (electricity with AC, water) BSD 240–720/month
Short-stay furnished rental BSD 3,000–8,000+/month
Transport
Jitney bus (Nassau, flat fare) BSD 1.25
Taxi short Nassau trip BSD 15–40
Taxi airport (LPIA–Nassau) BSD 35–65
Water taxi (Nassau–Paradise Island, one way) BSD 5–8
Inter-island flight (Bahamas Air / charter) BSD 150–500+ return
Petrol (1 gallon) BSD 5.50–7.50
Used car BSD 8,000–30,000
Health & Insurance
Princess Margaret Hospital (public) Fees apply for non-residents
Private GP visit BSD 80–200
Private specialist visit BSD 200–500
Dental check-up (private) BSD 100–300
International health insurance (adult, annual) BSD 1,500–10,000+
Utilities
Electricity (BPL, monthly — high due to oil-fired generation) BSD 200–600
Water (WSC, monthly) BSD 40–120
Home internet (BTC / Cable Bahamas) BSD 70–180/month
Mobile plan BSD 40–120/month
Generator fuel / maintenance reserve BSD 50–500+/month
Childcare
Government school (residents) Subsidised / minimal fees
Private school (annual) BSD 6,000–25,000
International-style school (annual) BSD 15,000–35,000
School transport (monthly) BSD 150–500
Leisure
Boat day charter (snorkelling / island hop) BSD 800–4,000+
Dive trip (single tank) BSD 100–250
Gym membership (monthly) BSD 70–180
Cinema / event ticket BSD 15–50
Beach club day pass (resort) BSD 30–100
Golf round (Cable Beach / Ocean Club area) BSD 100–300
Haircut (men's) BSD 25–60
Haircut (women's) BSD 80–200
Cost of Living
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