Caribbean Updated
Average Cost of Living in Kingston-Jamaica
The average cost of living in Kingston-Jamaica, Jamaica is $1,742 per month for a single person, and $3,463 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,591 per month. The local average net salary is $3,089 per month.
Affordable
Updated today
Index 39.6 · NYC = 100
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $1,742 / month
- Family of 4
- $3,463 / mo
- Student
- $1,015 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Kingston-Jamaica
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
Interactive
You need at least
$0 / month
Annual gross (25% tax)
$0
vs. local average net salary
$3,089.13 / month
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Kingston-Jamaica | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Kingston-Jamaica | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Kingston-Jamaica | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Kingston-Jamaica | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Kingston-Jamaica | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Kingston-Jamaica | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Kingston-Jamaica | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Kingston-Jamaica | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Kingston-Jamaica | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Kingston-Jamaica | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Kingston-Jamaica FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Kingston-Jamaica. |
Rent & Property Prices in Kingston-Jamaica
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,591 | $1,276 – $2,128 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $1,252 | $1,153 – $1,463 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $2,401 | $1,817 – $2,926 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $1,607 | $1,477 – $2,194 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $3,511 | — |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $2,560 | — |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,591$1,276 – $2,128
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,252$1,153 – $1,463
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $2,401$1,817 – $2,926
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,607$1,477 – $2,194
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $3,511
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $2,560
Grocery Prices in Kingston-Jamaica
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $2.11 | $1.21 – $4.39 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $2.55 | $1.37 – $6.82 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $3.38 | $1.46 – $10 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $3.06 | $2.70 – $3.66 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $11 | $5.12 – $19 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $12 | $7.31 – $19 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $10 | $4.23 – $20 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $3.07 | $1.54 – $4.39 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $1.18 | $0.50 – $3.66 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $3.61 | $1.46 – $5.12 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $3.76 | $1.89 – $6.45 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $3.35 | $1.61 – $5.85 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $2.38 | $1.02 – $3.22 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $2.70 | $1.81 – $4.39 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $1.69 | $0.71 – $7.31 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $12 | $9.51 – $28 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $2.30 | $1.83 – $6.58 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $3.38 | $1.83 – $5.12 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $14 | $9.51 – $16 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $2.11$1.21 – $4.39
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $2.55$1.37 – $6.82
- White Rice (1 kg) $3.38$1.46 – $10
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $3.06$2.70 – $3.66
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $11$5.12 – $19
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $12$7.31 – $19
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $10$4.23 – $20
- Apples (1 kg) $3.07$1.54 – $4.39
- Bananas (1 kg) $1.18$0.50 – $3.66
- Oranges (1 kg) $3.61$1.46 – $5.12
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $3.76$1.89 – $6.45
- Potatoes (1 kg) $3.35$1.61 – $5.85
- Onions (1 kg) $2.38$1.02 – $3.22
- Lettuce (1 Head) $2.70$1.81 – $4.39
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $1.69$0.71 – $7.31
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $12$9.51 – $28
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $2.30$1.83 – $6.58
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $3.38$1.83 – $5.12
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $14$9.51 – $16
Public Transport & Car Costs in Kingston-Jamaica
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $2.56 | $2.38 – $2.56 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $59 | $59 – $60 |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $3.29 | $3.11 – $4.39 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $1.62 | $1.46 – $1.65 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $33 | $22 – $33 |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.05 | $0.91 – $1.24 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $28,949 | $28,949 – $28,949 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $19,674 | $19,674 – $20,027 |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $2.56$2.38 – $2.56
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $59$59 – $60
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $3.29$3.11 – $4.39
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $1.62$1.46 – $1.65
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $33$22 – $33
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.05$0.91 – $1.24
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $28,949$28,949 – $28,949
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $19,674$19,674 – $20,027
Utility & Internet Costs in Kingston-Jamaica
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $124 | $78 – $263 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $40 | $26 – $55 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $67 | $48 – $88 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $124$78 – $263
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $40$26 – $55
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $67$48 – $88
Childcare & Preschool in Kingston-Jamaica
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $536 | $146 – $731 |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | — | — |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $536$146 – $731
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child —
Clothing Prices in Kingston-Jamaica
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $54 | $33 – $73 |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $34 | $26 – $44 |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $84 | $69 – $146 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $89 | $61 – $110 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $54$33 – $73
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $34$26 – $44
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $84$69 – $146
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $89$61 – $110
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Kingston-Jamaica
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $30 | $11 – $48 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $9.14 | $7.31 – $11 |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $11 | $11 – $14 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $30$11 – $48
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $9.14$7.31 – $11
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $11$11 – $14
Restaurant Prices in Kingston-Jamaica
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $15 | $11 – $33 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $66 | $44 – $91 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $12 | $10 – $15 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $6.03 | $3.66 – $7.31 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $6.40 | $5.85 – $7.31 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $3.57 | $2.93 – $4.39 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $2.15 | $1.46 – $2.93 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.37 | $1.10 – $2.19 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $15$11 – $33
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $66$44 – $91
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $12$10 – $15
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $6.03$3.66 – $7.31
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $6.40$5.85 – $7.31
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $3.57$2.93 – $4.39
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $2.15$1.46 – $2.93
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $1.37$1.10 – $2.19
Salaries & Mortgages in Kingston-Jamaica
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $3,089 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.61% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $3,089
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 4.61%
Compare Kingston-Jamaica with…
Pick any city to see costs side by side.
Related cities
Similar cost tier, nearby, or in the same country.
Jamaica
Alexandria-Jamaica
Monthly / 1 person
$169
vs NYC
3.8/100
Bermuda
Hamilton-Bermuda
Monthly / 1 person
$1,758
vs NYC
40/100
Barbados
Christchurch-Barbados
Monthly / 1 person
$1,673
vs NYC
38/100
Barbados
Bridgetown-Barbados
Monthly / 1 person
$1,634
vs NYC
37.1/100
Puerto Rico
San-Juan-Puerto-Rico
Monthly / 1 person
$1,605
vs NYC
36.5/100
Trinidad And Tobago
San-Juan-Trinidad-And-Tobago
Monthly / 1 person
$1,605
vs NYC
36.5/100
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Kingston-Jamaica?
- An estimated $1,742 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Kingston-Jamaica. A family of four needs around $3,463 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $1,015.
- How much money do I need to live in Kingston-Jamaica?
- Plan for at least $1,742 per month as a single person, $3,463 per month for a family of four, or $1,015 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to Kingston-Jamaica.
- What is the average rent in Kingston-Jamaica?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Kingston-Jamaica rents for around $1,591 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $2,401 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Kingston-Jamaica?
- The average monthly net salary in Kingston-Jamaica is around $3,089. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 52% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Kingston-Jamaica?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Kingston-Jamaica costs around $15. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $80 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($2.11/L) and bread ($2.55/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in Kingston-Jamaica?
- A monthly public transport pass in Kingston-Jamaica costs around $59. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in Kingston-Jamaica?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Kingston-Jamaica costs around $67 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.