Cost of living in Jamaica compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Jamaica is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | J$1,931 ($12) | $17 | - 28% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | J$906 ($5.85) | $9 | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | J$342 ($2.21) | $5.07 | - 56% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | J$369 ($2.38) | $0.99 | + 141% | |
| 12 eggs, large | J$534 ($3.45) | $3.33 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | J$484 ($3.13) | $4.43 | - 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | J$899 ($5.81) | $7 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | J$863 ($5.57) | $3.93 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | J$464 ($3.00) | $1.92 | + 56% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | J$293 ($1.89) | $3.28 | - 42% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | J$2,754 ($18) | $16 | + 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | J$219 ($1.42) | $2.26 | - 37% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | J$290 ($1.87) | $2.46 | - 24% | |
| Housing | - 60% | |||
| Housing in Jamaica is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | J$104,946 ($678) | $2,513 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | J$83,779 ($541) | $1,960 | - 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | J$12,157 ($79) | $206 | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | J$72,504 ($468) | $1,778 | - 74% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | J$54,886 ($355) | $1,342 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | J$11,022 ($71) | $139 | - 49% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | J$5,731 ($37) | $56 | - 34% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | J$42,786 ($276) | $300 | - 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | J$21,425 ($138) | $134 | + 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | J$498 ($3.22) | $12 | - 74% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | J$4,327 ($28) | $26 | + 6% | |
| Clothes | - 41% | |||
| Clothes in Jamaica is 41% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | J$9,357 ($60) | $51 | + 18% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | J$3,137 ($20) | $46 | - 56% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | J$10,432 ($67) | $92 | - 27% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | J$6,530 ($42) | $120 | - 65% | |
| Transportation | - 19% | |||
| Transportation in Jamaica is 19% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | J$2,000,000 ($12,920) | $25,474 | - 49% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | J$172 ($1.11) | $1.06 | + 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | $77 | - | |
| Personal Care | - 57% | |||
| Personal Care in Jamaica is 57% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | J$300 ($1.94) | $7 | - 74% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | J$1,809 ($12) | $19 | - 39% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | J$3,147 ($20) | $125 | - 84% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | J$135 ($0.87) | $7 | - 88% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | J$719 ($4.65) | $4.17 | + 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | J$709 ($4.58) | $5.50 | - 17% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | J$65 ($0.42) | $4.18 | - 90% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | J$160 ($1.03) | $2.05 | - 50% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | J$2,200 ($14) | $25 | - 44% | |
| Entertainment | - 36% | |||
| Entertainment in Jamaica is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Jamaica | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | J$6,000 ($39) | $49 | - 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | J$1,841 ($12) | $27 | - 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | J$3,200 ($21) | $196 | - 89% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | J$2,500 ($16) | $83 | - 81% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | J$1,500 ($10) | $13 | - 24% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | J$150 ($0.97) | $5.19 | - 81% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | J$400 ($2.58) | $6 | - 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | J$20,000 ($129) | $499 | - 74% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | J$21 ($0.14) | $0.17 | - 18% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | J$10,000 ($65) | $53 | + 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | J$2,357 ($15) | $9 | + 67% | |
| TOTAL | - 42% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,257 prices entered by 2,635 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00646
USD
/
JMD
Cost of living in Jamaica is 42% cheaper than in United States
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