Cost of living in Jamaica compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Jamaica is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | J$723 ($5.02) | $15 | - 66% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | J$672 ($4.67) | $8 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | J$567 ($3.94) | $4.34 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | J$360 ($2.50) | $0.88 | + 185% | |
| 12 eggs, large | J$452 ($3.14) | $2.97 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | J$363 ($2.52) | $4.03 | - 37% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | J$821 ($5.70) | $6 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | J$623 ($4.33) | $3.35 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | J$324 ($2.25) | $1.76 | + 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | J$429 ($2.98) | $3.16 | - 6% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | J$2,778 ($19) | $14 | + 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | J$191 ($1.33) | $1.94 | - 32% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | J$298 ($2.07) | $2.04 | + 1% | |
| Housing | - 60% | |||
| Housing in Jamaica is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | J$79,552 ($553) | $2,264 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | J$109,025 ($757) | $1,624 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | J$15,884 ($110) | $177 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | J$71,535 ($497) | $1,624 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | J$45,948 ($319) | $1,157 | - 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | J$10,098 ($70) | $109 | - 35% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | J$4,740 ($33) | $47 | - 30% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | J$57,031 ($396) | $294 | + 35% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | J$37,453 ($260) | $118 | + 121% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | J$1,838 ($13) | $11 | + 19% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | J$782 ($5.43) | $22 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | - 28% | |||
| Clothes in Jamaica is 28% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | J$5,056 ($35) | $49 | - 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | J$4,563 ($32) | $45 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | J$7,813 ($54) | $86 | - 37% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | J$14,474 ($101) | $112 | - 10% | |
| Transportation | - 25% | |||
| Transportation in Jamaica is 25% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | J$4,080,090 ($28,347) | $23,010 | + 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | J$159 ($1.10) | $0.75 | + 47% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | J$5,718 ($40) | $81 | - 51% | |
| Personal Care | - 10% | |||
| Personal Care in Jamaica is 10% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | J$1,078 ($7) | $7 | + 3% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | J$3,707 ($26) | $20 | + 32% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | J$3,588 ($25) | $110 | - 77% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | J$945 ($7) | $7 | - 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | J$1,016 ($7) | $3.56 | + 99% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | J$1,216 ($8) | $5.11 | + 65% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | J$236 ($1.64) | $3.57 | - 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | J$418 ($2.91) | $1.83 | + 59% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | J$1,695 ($12) | $21 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | - 27% | |||
| Entertainment in Jamaica is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | J$4,467 ($31) | $45 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | J$3,266 ($23) | $25 | - 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | J$4,472 ($31) | $222 | - 86% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | J$8,131 ($56) | $74 | - 24% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | J$3,226 ($22) | $12 | + 88% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | J$300 ($2.08) | $4.82 | - 57% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | J$474 ($3.29) | $5.78 | - 43% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | J$54,890 ($381) | $397 | - 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | J$12 ($0.08) | $0.19 | - 55% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | J$6,603 ($46) | $53 | - 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | J$1,108 ($8) | $8 | - 5% | |
| TOTAL | - 35% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 43,359 prices entered by 5,562 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 01, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00695
USD
/
JMD
Cost of living in Jamaica is 35% cheaper than in United States
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