MigrantoCost of living in Jamaica
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries
Monthly cost in Jamaica
Spending runs from JMD 18,800 a month in the poorest fifth to JMD 152,000 in the richest
Per person, whole country
JMD 50,300
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
JMD 18,800richest 20%
JMD 152,000
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How living costs in Jamaica compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Jamaica against other countries
More expensive than 65% of countries
Where Jamaica sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs JMD 158,000 at world-middle prices costs JMD 192,000 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank, regional estimate), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Jamaica
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Cost of living in Jamaica
JMD 18,800/mo
vs JMD 126,000 in your country
Take-home
JMD 27,300
vs JMD 190,000 in your country
Potential savings
JMD 8,510
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Jamaica?
A typical person in Jamaica spends about JMD 50,300 a month — around JMD 603,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Jamaica?
By spending, Jamaica ranks #100 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about JMD 50,300 a month, the poorest 20% about JMD 18,800 and the richest 20% about JMD 152,000. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Jamaica in US dollars?
The cost of living in Jamaica is about $318 a month, or roughly $3,816 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Jamaica?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about JMD 18,800 a month per person, a typical one around JMD 50,300, and a comfortable life around JMD 74,900. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in Jamaica enough to live on?
In most cases yes, but without much of a cushion. Average spending is about JMD 50,300 a month, while the average take-home pay in Jamaica is about JMD 68,300. For more on incomes, see salaries in Jamaica.
Is Jamaica an expensive country to live in?
Somewhat. Jamaica is more expensive than 46% of countries worldwide and ranks 27th of 33 in Latin America by cost of living.
What currency is used in Jamaica?
Jamaica uses the Jamaican Dollar (JMD). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
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Living in Jamaica
See the full country overview