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$1,401 ($9) | $20 | - 55% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | J$1,084 ($7) | $12 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | J$857 ($5.48) | $5.47 | + 0% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | J$590 ($3.77) | $1.04 | + 263% | |
| 12 eggs, large | J$1,181 ($8) | $4.44 | + 70% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | J$449 ($2.87) | $4.44 | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | J$1,096 ($7) | $7 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | J$1,137 ($7) | $3.85 | + 89% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | J$766 ($4.89) | $2.03 | + 141% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | J$371 ($2.37) | $3.78 | - 37% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | J$2,435 ($16) | $17 | - 11% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | J$365 ($2.33) | $2.86 | - 18% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | J$218 ($1.39) | $2.61 | - 47% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in Jamaica is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | J$279,298 ($1,784) | $2,730 | - 35% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | J$109,042 ($697) | $2,080 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | J$19,937 ($127) | $221 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | J$124,754 ($797) | $2,015 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | J$74,641 ($477) | $1,505 | - 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | J$14,431 ($92) | $154 | - 40% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | J$6,337 ($40) | $60 | - 33% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | J$36,944 ($236) | $264 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | J$20,507 ($131) | $149 | - 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | J$3,109 ($20) | $14 | + 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | J$625 ($3.99) | $32 | - 88% | |
| Clothes | - 27% | |||
| Clothes in Jamaica is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | J$10,485 ($67) | $56 | + 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | J$5,234 ($33) | $52 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | J$10,000 ($64) | $103 | - 38% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | J$11,035 ($70) | $137 | - 49% | |
| Transportation | - 32% | |||
| Transportation in Jamaica is 32% 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 ($18,422) | $30,194 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | J$239 ($1.53) | $0.94 | + 63% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | J$7,000 ($45) | $79 | - 43% | |
| Personal Care | - 61% | |||
| Personal Care in Jamaica is 61% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | J$1,200 ($8) | $9 | - 13% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | J$1,054 ($7) | $22 | - 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | J$3,638 ($23) | $168 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | J$759 ($4.85) | $9 | - 45% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | J$413 ($2.64) | $5.14 | - 49% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | J$611 ($3.90) | $7 | - 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | J$500 ($3.19) | $4.84 | - 34% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | J$254 ($1.62) | $2.35 | - 31% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | J$1,655 ($11) | $29 | - 64% | |
| Entertainment | - 15% | |||
| Entertainment in Jamaica is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | J$5,581 ($36) | $60 | - 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | J$3,127 ($20) | $29 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | J$5,000 ($32) | $194 | - 84% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | J$8,387 ($54) | $99 | - 46% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | J$1,408 ($9) | $14 | - 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | J$1,103 ($7) | $5.80 | + 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | J$492 ($3.15) | $7 | - 55% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | J$24,622 ($157) | $456 | - 66% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | J$115 ($0.73) | $0.45 | + 65% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | J$7,774 ($50) | $63 | - 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | J$954 ($6) | $10 | - 42% | |
| 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 17,236 prices entered by 2,154 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 12, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.00639
USD
/
JMD
Cost of living in Jamaica is 35% cheaper than in United States
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