Cayman Islands (KY)
A high-income, English-speaking Caribbean financial centre with no direct personal income tax, strong professional opportunities, excellent beaches, and very high housing, healthcare, school, and import-driven living costs.
Capital: George Town
Region: Americas
Language: English
Currency: KYD (CI$)
Cost of living: Very expensive (index 86)
Emergency: 911
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Cayman Islands — 2026 data in KYD.
86
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Above average cost. Budget carefully, especially for housing and groceries.
Food & Groceries
Monthly groceries, single adult CI$600–1,000 (cooking at home from Fosters, Kirk, or Cost-U-Less)
Monthly groceries, family of four CI$1,600–2,800 (wide range by brand preference and imported goods)
Milk, 1 litre CI$2.50–4.00
Eggs, 12-pack CI$5–8 (local farm eggs slightly more)
Bread loaf (standard white/wholemeal) CI$4–7
Rice, 1 kg CI$3–5
Chicken breast, 1 kg CI$9–15
Local fish (snapper, grouper), 1 kg CI$12–22 (George Town fish market; availability varies seasonally)
Imported cheese, 200 g CI$7–14 (high import duty on dairy elevates price)
Bottled water, 1.5 L CI$1.50–2.50
Coffee (ground/beans), 250 g CI$8–15 (specialty roasts at upper end)
Beer, 6-pack (imported) CI$12–22 (high alcohol import duty applies)
Wine (mid-range bottle) CI$15–35 (Wine Barn and supermarkets carry broad selection)
Dining Out
Casual lunch (café, food court, local diner) CI$12–25 (Camana Bay and George Town options)
Fast food combo meal CI$10–18 (Burger King, KFC, Popeyes on island)
Restaurant dinner, 2 people (mid-range) CI$80–150 (excl. alcohol; 15–18% service charge often added)
Fine dining dinner, 2 people CI$180–350+ (Seven Mile Beach hotel restaurants)
Coffee (latte / flat white) CI$4–7
Cocktail at a bar CI$12–22 (craft cocktails in hotel bars at upper end)
Beer at a bar CI$5–10 (happy-hour deals CI$5–7 at many venues)
Takeaway pizza (large) CI$20–35
Rent
Studio apartment, Seven Mile Beach corridor CI$1,600–2,600/month (limited stock; often no dedicated parking)
1-bed apartment, George Town / Seven Mile corridor CI$2,200–3,800/month (higher near beach)
2-bed condo, central Grand Cayman CI$3,200–5,500/month (most popular expat size; pool/gym common)
3-bed family home, South Sound / West Bay / Prospect CI$4,500–8,500+/month (pool, garage, garden add cost)
House on sister islands (Cayman Brac / Little Cayman) CI$1,200–2,500/month (cheaper but limited amenities/employment)
Serviced apartment, month-to-month CI$3,500–5,500/month (useful on arrival while house-hunting)
Transport
Public bus ride CI$2–5 (main Grand Cayman corridors; infrequent service)
Taxi, airport to Seven Mile Beach CI$25–45 (confirm rate before boarding)
Taxi, George Town to East End CI$55–90 (long-distance trips significantly more expensive)
Monthly fuel, average commuter CI$180–350 (CI$1.20–1.50/litre; most residents drive daily)
Car insurance, annual comprehensive CI$1,200–3,000 (mandatory TPL; comprehensive strongly advised)
DVDL annual vehicle licence (average car) CI$150–350/year (SUVs at upper end)
Health & Insurance
Employee health insurance (employee share) CI$100–400/month (employer must provide basic; employee portion varies)
Private GP visit (without insurance) CI$80–160
Specialist consultation (without insurance) CI$150–350+ (some sub-specialties require medevac to Miami)
Dentist check-up and clean CI$100–200 (dental often not in standard employer plan)
Physiotherapy session CI$100–180
Mental health / therapy session CI$120–250 (limited local practitioners; teletherapy common)
Prescription medication, 30-day supply CI$20–80 (some prescriptions imported and expensive)
OTC cold/flu medicine (pharmacy) CI$8–20
International medical evacuation insurance CI$1,640–6,560+/year (medevac to Miami can cost CI$24,600+ without it)
Utilities
CUC electricity, 2-bed apartment CI$250–500/month (~CI$0.37–0.50/kWh all-in; highly dependent on AC usage)
Water Authority, average residential CI$80–150/month (mains supply; cistern properties pay for tanker)
Home fibre internet (Flow or Logic) CI$90–180/month (100–500 Mbps; generally reliable in urban areas)
Mobile plan (voice + data, 5–20 GB) CI$35–100/month (Flow and Digicel; international roaming costly)
Mobile data-only plan CI$25–60/month (useful for tablet or backup SIM)
Satellite internet (Starlink) CI$98/month + equipment (popular in eastern districts)
VoIP / international calling plan CI$4–16/month (WhatsApp covers most needs; VoIP useful for business calls)
Childcare
Private / international school tuition CI$12,000–28,000+/year per child (public schools free for eligible residents)
Nursery / daycare CI$700–1,800/month (quality facilities fill quickly; join waitlists before arrival)
School bus CI$150–400/month (route dependent)
Annual school materials and books CI$200–600/year (varies by year group)
Extracurricular activities (sports, music, arts) CI$100–300/month (swimming and diving popular year-round)
Tutor, per hour CI$60–120 (high demand for maths and science at secondary level)
Summer camp (per week) CI$200–600 (water-sports camps at upper end)
Leisure
Cinema ticket CI$15–20 (Cayman Islands Cinema, Camana Bay; 3D at upper end)
Gym membership CI$80–180/month (World Gym, Anytime Fitness, F45, CrossFit on Seven Mile corridor)
Scuba diving, 2-tank fun dive CI$70–120 (world-class wall and wreck diving; many operators)
Snorkelling trip CI$50–90 (Stingray City and reef in many packages)
Stingray City boat tour CI$50–100 (private charters substantially more)
Golf, green fee (Britannia or North Sound) CI$100–200 (Cayman unique short-ball course at Britannia)
Annual beach / swim club membership CI$500–2,000+ (several clubs on Seven Mile and South Sound)
Sailing or kayak rental (half day) CI$50–120
Movie streaming (Netflix/Disney+) CI$12–18/month (billed at KYD equivalent)
Cost of Living
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