Cost of living in Barbados compared to United States
Currency:
Food | + 22% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Barbados is 22% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Barbados | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 35 Bds$ ($17) | $20 | - 12% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 22 Bds$ ($11) | $10 | + 6% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16 Bds$ ($8) | $5.76 | + 37% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 8 Bds$ ($3.86) | $1.08 | + 257% | |
12 eggs, large | 12 Bds$ ($6) | $4.95 | + 24% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 18 Bds$ ($9) | $4.65 | + 91% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 34 Bds$ ($17) | $7 | + 141% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 12 Bds$ ($5.93) | $4.51 | + 31% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 9 Bds$ ($4.45) | $2.36 | + 89% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 5.39 Bds$ ($2.67) | $3.26 | - 18% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 55 Bds$ ($27) | $16 | + 72% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 7 Bds$ ($3.46) | $2.92 | + 18% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 4.76 Bds$ ($2.35) | $2.83 | - 17% | |
Housing | - 21% | |||
Housing in Barbados is 21% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Barbados | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 5,921 Bds$ ($2,926) | $2,957 | - 1% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,000 Bds$ ($988) | $2,259 | - 56% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 315 Bds$ ($156) | $223 | - 30% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 4,000 Bds$ ($1,977) | $1,987 | - 1% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,750 Bds$ ($865) | $1,511 | - 43% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 297 Bds$ ($147) | $150 | - 3% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 80 Bds$ ($40) | $64 | - 38% | |
40” flat screen tv | 1,000 Bds$ ($494) | $294 | + 68% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 700 Bds$ ($346) | $143 | + 142% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 19 Bds$ ($10) | $14 | - 31% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 16 Bds$ ($8) | $32 | - 76% | |
Clothes | + 136% | |||
Clothes in Barbados is 136% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Barbados | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 310 Bds$ ($153) | $56 | + 173% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 220 Bds$ ($109) | $47 | + 130% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 640 Bds$ ($316) | $95 | + 231% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 260 Bds$ ($128) | $127 | + 1% | |
Transportation | + 4% | |||
Transportation in Barbados is about the same as in United States | ||||
Barbados | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 80,000 Bds$ ($39,537) | $27,855 | + 42% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 4.15 Bds$ ($2.05) | $1.03 | + 100% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 140 Bds$ ($69) | $83 | - 17% | |
Personal Care | - 23% | |||
Personal Care in Barbados is 23% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Barbados | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 20 Bds$ ($10) | $9 | + 14% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 33 Bds$ ($16) | $24 | - 31% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 180 Bds$ ($89) | $151 | - 41% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 31 Bds$ ($15) | $9 | + 70% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 11 Bds$ ($5.21) | $4.89 | + 7% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 16 Bds$ ($8) | $7 | + 17% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 4.48 Bds$ ($2.22) | $4.89 | - 55% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 5.29 Bds$ ($2.62) | $2.20 | + 19% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 23 Bds$ ($12) | $29 | - 60% | |
Entertainment | + 14% | |||
Entertainment in Barbados is 14% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Barbados | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 95 Bds$ ($47) | $56 | - 17% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 40 Bds$ ($20) | $29 | - 32% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 110 Bds$ ($54) | $230 | - 76% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 275 Bds$ ($136) | $92 | + 48% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 27 Bds$ ($14) | $14 | - 3% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 12 Bds$ ($5.93) | $5.40 | + 10% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 10 Bds$ ($4.94) | $7 | - 24% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,600 Bds$ ($791) | $558 | + 42% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.73 Bds$ ($0.36) | $0.20 | + 81% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 160 Bds$ ($79) | $60 | + 31% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 18 Bds$ ($9) | $10 | - 16% | |
TOTAL | + 3% |

These prices were last updated on October 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.49421
USD
/
BBD
Cost of living in Barbados is about the same as in United States
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