Cost of living in Jamaica compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Jamaica is 13% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | J$1,387 ($9) | $20 | - 55% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | J$1,331 ($9) | $11 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | J$590 ($3.80) | $5.69 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | J$590 ($3.80) | $1.08 | + 250% | |
| 12 eggs, large | J$1,198 ($8) | $5.03 | + 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | J$449 ($2.89) | $4.67 | - 38% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | J$1,096 ($7) | $7 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | J$1,137 ($7) | $4.47 | + 64% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | J$766 ($4.93) | $2.33 | + 112% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | J$387 ($2.49) | $3.09 | - 20% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | J$2,435 ($16) | $15 | + 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | J$365 ($2.35) | $2.89 | - 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | J$257 ($1.65) | $2.79 | - 41% | |
| Housing | - 54% | |||
| Housing in Jamaica is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | J$200,847 ($1,293) | $3,140 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | J$147,058 ($947) | $2,416 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | J$32,754 ($211) | $222 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | J$135,210 ($870) | $2,088 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | J$86,735 ($558) | $1,601 | - 65% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | J$22,700 ($146) | $144 | + 1% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | J$6,000 ($39) | $67 | - 42% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | J$37,333 ($240) | $301 | - 20% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | J$15,276 ($98) | $143 | - 31% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | J$3,109 ($20) | $14 | + 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | J$625 ($4.02) | $31 | - 87% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Jamaica is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | J$10,485 ($67) | $59 | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | J$9,625 ($62) | $53 | + 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | J$12,063 ($78) | $98 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | J$11,035 ($71) | $136 | - 48% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in Jamaica is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | J$2,883,590 ($18,561) | $28,071 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | J$239 ($1.54) | $1.03 | + 50% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | J$7,357 ($47) | $81 | - 42% | |
| Personal Care | - 50% | |||
| Personal Care in Jamaica is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | J$1,116 ($7) | $9 | - 21% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | J$1,054 ($7) | $23 | - 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | J$4,591 ($30) | $141 | - 79% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | J$759 ($4.89) | $9 | - 47% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | J$515 ($3.32) | $4.75 | - 30% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | J$684 ($4.40) | $6 | - 31% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | J$649 ($4.18) | $4.84 | - 14% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | J$468 ($3.01) | $2.26 | + 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | J$2,123 ($14) | $29 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | + 4% | |||
| Entertainment in Jamaica is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | J$8,050 ($52) | $57 | - 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | J$2,770 ($18) | $30 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $226 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | J$11,403 ($73) | $96 | - 23% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | J$1,397 ($9) | $14 | - 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | J$1,103 ($7) | $5.50 | + 29% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | J$600 ($3.86) | $7 | - 42% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | J$24,622 ($158) | $610 | - 74% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | J$92 ($0.59) | $0.22 | + 165% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | J$11,000 ($71) | $68 | + 4% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | J$913 ($5.88) | $10 | - 43% | |
| TOTAL | - 31% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 20,768 prices entered by 2,633 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 06, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00644
USD
/
JMD
Cost of living in Jamaica is 31% cheaper than in United States
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