Jamaica (JM)
Reggae rhythms, stunning beaches, and a vibrant English-speaking culture make Jamaica the Caribbean's most iconic destination.
Capital: Kingston
Region: Americas
Language: English
Currency: JMD (J$)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 45)
Emergency: 119
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Jamaica — 2026 data in JMD.
45
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Affordable compared to most Western countries. Good value for the quality of life offered.
Rent
1-bed apartment, Kingston New Kingston / Liguanea J$80,000–J$150,000
2-bed apartment, Kingston mid-range area J$100,000–J$200,000
3-bed house, gated community Kingston J$200,000–J$400,000
2-bed apartment, Montego Bay J$90,000–J$180,000
3-bed villa, Negril / Ocho Rios expat area J$180,000–J$500,000
Studio or 1-bed, budget parishes (rural) J$35,000–J$70,000
Food & Groceries
Loaf of bread (local brand) J$400–J$600
Rice (1 kg) J$250–J$400
Chicken (1 kg, local) J$700–J$1,100
Imported beef (1 kg) J$2,000–J$3,500
Eggs (1 dozen) J$600–J$900
Milk (1 litre, UHT) J$350–J$500
Bananas (1 kg, local market) J$100–J$200
Bottled water (1.5 litre) J$150–J$250
Cooking oil (1 litre) J$450–J$700
Imported cereal (box) J$900–J$1,500
Dining Out
Patty (beef) from Juici Patties / Tastee J$250–J$350
Jerk chicken (quarter chicken) at roadside stand J$500–J$800
Local lunch restaurant (rice and peas, chicken, veg) J$800–J$1,500
Mid-range restaurant dinner (2 people) J$5,000–J$12,000
Fine dining, Kingston (2 people with wine) J$15,000–J$35,000
Red Stripe Beer (restaurant / bar) J$400–J$600
Rum punch (tourist bar) J$600–J$1,200
Fresh coconut water (roadside vendor) J$150–J$300
Coffee at a café J$500–J$900
Blue Mountain Coffee (250g bag) J$3,000–J$8,000
Transport
JUTC bus fare (Kingston) J$100–J$170
Route taxi (short trip, inner-city) J$100–J$250
Route taxi Kingston to Portmore J$250–J$400
Knutsford Express (Kingston–Montego Bay) J$2,200–J$3,200
Petrol / gasoline (1 litre, 90 octane) J$220–J$260
Monthly car insurance (basic third party) J$15,000–J$25,000
Uber / InDrive (Kingston, short trip) J$500–J$1,500
Annual fitness certification (sticker) J$6,500–J$10,000
Toll (Highway 2000, Kingston–Spanish Town) J$80–J$200 per segment
Utilities
JPS electricity (2-bed apartment, moderate AC) J$15,000–J$30,000
JPS electricity (3-bed house, heavy AC) J$30,000–J$60,000
NWC water (household) J$3,000–J$8,000
Internet broadband (FLOW/Digicel, 100+ Mbps) J$4,000–J$8,000
Mobile data plan (Digicel/FLOW, monthly) J$1,500–J$4,000
Cable TV (FLOW, basic package) J$3,000–J$6,000
Health & Insurance
Private GP consultation J$3,000–J$7,000
Specialist consultation (private) J$8,000–J$20,000
Emergency room visit (private) J$15,000–J$50,000
Blood test panel (basic, private lab) J$5,000–J$15,000
Dental checkup and clean J$6,000–J$15,000
Expat health insurance (monthly, basic) J$15,000–J$40,000
Air ambulance / medical evacuation (per incident) J$2,400,000–J$8,000,000+
Childcare
Government primary school (annual extras) J$10,000–J$25,000
Private prep school (per term) J$50,000–J$120,000
International school (per year) J$1,260,000–J$3,150,000
UWI Mona tuition (per year, local student) J$250,000–J$600,000
Private school bus service (monthly) J$8,000–J$18,000
Leisure
Gym membership (Kingston, mid-range) J$6,000–J$15,000/month
Cinema ticket (Carib Cinema / Palace Cineplex) J$1,200–J$2,000
Tennis / squash court hire (per hour) J$1,500–J$3,000
Dive trip (2 tanks, equipment, Negril/Ocho Rios) J$12,600–J$20,500
Blue Mountains coffee farm tour J$6,300–J$12,600
Reggae concert / music festival ticket J$3,000–J$20,000
Haircut (barber, Kingston) J$800–J$2,000
Nail salon visit J$2,500–J$6,000
Cost of Living
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