Cost of living in Kingston

Kingston, Jamaica is Slightly cheaper overall. Monthly costs are about $1325 for one person and $3635 for a family of four, including rent.

How expensive is Kingston compared to other cities?

Kingston is 7% cheaper overall versus the European benchmark.

How does Kingston compare to your city?

Kingston is 50% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Kingston is, on average, 77% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Kingston?

Who is Kingston a good fit for?

Kingston is most realistic when moving with a strong job offer or relocation package. Without high income, the housing-driven price level can be difficult to sustain.

FAQ

Why is Kingston so expensive?

The main driver of expenses in Kingston is rent and utilities, which can significantly impact monthly budgets.

Is food expensive in Kingston?

Food costs are 5% higher than the European benchmark, which may affect overall living expenses.

Is public transport affordable in Kingston?

Public transport is 70% higher than the European benchmark, making it a considerable expense for residents.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
1325 $
Without Rent
719 $
Rent & Utilities
605 $
Food
499 $
Transport
127 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
765 $
GDP per Capita
6,874 $
Freedom Index
7.56
Lifespan
71 years
Speak English
98%
Population
580.0K

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 7.66 $
Dinner 75.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 7.8 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 3.17 $
Capuccino 4.05 $
Coke, 330ml 1.41 $

Compare Kingston with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 4.25 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 3.46 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.93 $
Eggs, 12 pack 4.45 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.1 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.1 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.29 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.08 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.08 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.13 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.83 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.5 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.22 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.03 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.76 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 11.4 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.97 $
Cigarette pack 8.99 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 0.96 $
Monthly Pass 38 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.31 $
Taxi, 8 km 27.1 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 25.1 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 6.99 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 7 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.58 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.66 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 97 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 147 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 53.2 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 372 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,187 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 788 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,261 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 1,937 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,69 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 765 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 9.37%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 75 $
Cinema, 1 seat 11.9 $
Haircut 9.66 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 73.4 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 35.9 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 24 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 2,136 $

Compare Kingston with other top cities

Cayman Islands
Kingston vs George Town (George Town is 175% more expensive)
Bahamas
Kingston vs Nassau (Nassau is 108% more expensive) Kingston vs Freeport (Freeport is 66% more expensive)
Vanuatu
Kingston vs Port Vila (Port Vila is 77% more expensive) Kingston vs Luganville (Luganville is 130% more expensive)
United States
Kingston vs New York City (New York City is 206% more expensive) Kingston vs Los Angeles (Los Angeles is 141% more expensive) Kingston vs Chicago (Chicago is 101% more expensive) Kingston vs Houston (Houston is 70% more expensive) Kingston vs Phoenix (Phoenix is 79% more expensive) Kingston vs Philadelphia (Philadelphia is 92% more expensive) Kingston vs San Antonio (San Antonio is 66% more expensive) Kingston vs San Diego (San Diego is 153% more expensive) Kingston vs Dallas (Dallas is 92% more expensive) Kingston vs San Jose (San Jose is 177% more expensive)
Canada
Kingston vs Toronto (Toronto is 94% more expensive) Kingston vs Montreal (Montreal is 47% more expensive) Kingston vs Calgary (Calgary is 62% more expensive) Kingston vs Ottawa (Ottawa is 69% more expensive) Kingston vs Edmonton (Edmonton is 35% more expensive) Kingston vs Winnipeg (Winnipeg is 32% more expensive) Kingston vs Mississauga (Mississauga is 87% more expensive) Kingston vs Vancouver (Vancouver is 100% more expensive) Kingston vs Brampton (Brampton is 61% more expensive) Kingston vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 63% more expensive)
Barbados
Kingston vs Bridgetown (Bridgetown is 3% more expensive) Kingston vs Holetown (Holetown is 5% more expensive)
Panama
Kingston vs Panama City (Panama City is 4% more expensive) Kingston vs Colon (Colon is 11% less expensive) Kingston vs Tocumen (Tocumen is 7% less expensive) Kingston vs Santiago de Veraguas (Santiago de Veraguas is 20% less expensive) Kingston vs David (David is 37% less expensive) Kingston vs La Chorrera (La Chorrera is 28% less expensive) Kingston vs Balboa (Balboa is 6% less expensive) Kingston vs Pacora (Pacora is 6% less expensive) Kingston vs Chitre (Chitre is 18% less expensive) Kingston vs Penonome (Penonome is 17% less expensive)
Saint Kitts And Nevis
Kingston vs Basseterre (Basseterre is 6% less expensive) Kingston vs Cayon (Cayon is 6% less expensive)
Cuba
Kingston vs Havana (Havana is 23% less expensive) Kingston vs Santiago de Cuba (Santiago de Cuba is 7% more expensive) Kingston vs Holguin (Holguin is 3% less expensive) Kingston vs Camaguey (Camaguey is 15% more expensive) Kingston vs Santa Clara (Santa Clara is 21% less expensive) Kingston vs Bayamo (Bayamo is 12% less expensive) Kingston vs Guantanamo (Guantanamo is 18% more expensive) Kingston vs Las Tunas (Las Tunas is 17% more expensive) Kingston vs Pinar del Rio (Pinar del Rio is 17% less expensive) Kingston vs Cienfuegos (Cienfuegos is 34% less expensive)
Costa Rica
Kingston vs San Jose (San Jose is 6% less expensive) Kingston vs Limon (Limon is 9% less expensive) Kingston vs Liberia (Liberia is 32% less expensive) Kingston vs Alajuela (Alajuela is 7% less expensive) Kingston vs Puntarenas (Puntarenas is 4% less expensive) Kingston vs Cartago (Cartago is 27% less expensive) Kingston vs Heredia (Heredia is 6% less expensive) Kingston vs Tamarindo (Tamarindo is 27% more expensive) Kingston vs Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa is 1% less expensive)
Saint Lucia
Kingston vs Castries (Castries is 13% less expensive) Kingston vs Vieux Fort (Vieux Fort is 10% less expensive)
Jamaica
Kingston vs Kingston (Kingston has similar costs) Kingston vs Spanish Town (Spanish Town is 41% less expensive) Kingston vs Montego Bay (Montego Bay is 23% less expensive) Kingston vs Half Way Tree (Half Way Tree is 12% less expensive) Kingston vs May Pen (May Pen is 38% less expensive) Kingston vs Mandeville (Mandeville is 26% less expensive) Kingston vs Old Harbour (Old Harbour is 36% less expensive) Kingston vs Linstead (Linstead is 21% less expensive) Kingston vs Savanna-la-Mar (Savanna-la-Mar is 15% less expensive) Kingston vs Port Antonio (Port Antonio is 14% less expensive)
El Salvador
Kingston vs San Salvador (San Salvador is 10% less expensive) Kingston vs Santa Ana (Santa Ana is 46% less expensive) Kingston vs Soyapango (Soyapango is 11% less expensive) Kingston vs San Miguel (San Miguel is 18% less expensive) Kingston vs Mejicanos (Mejicanos is 12% less expensive) Kingston vs Apopa (Apopa is 14% less expensive) Kingston vs Santa Tecla (Santa Tecla is 9% less expensive) Kingston vs Ahuachapan (Ahuachapan is 10% more expensive) Kingston vs Usulutan (Usulutan is 18% less expensive) Kingston vs Sonsonate (Sonsonate is 33% less expensive)
Antigua And Barbuda
Kingston vs St. John's (St. John's is 18% less expensive) Kingston vs All Saints (All Saints is 18% less expensive)
Grenada
Kingston vs St. George's (St. George's is 20% less expensive) Kingston vs Grenville (Grenville is 20% less expensive)
Dominica
Kingston vs Roseau (Roseau is 24% less expensive) Kingston vs Portsmouth (Portsmouth is 14% less expensive)
Saint Vincent
Kingston vs Kingstown (Kingstown is 26% less expensive) Kingston vs Georgetown (Georgetown is 24% less expensive)
Belize
Kingston vs Belize City (Belize City is 34% less expensive) Kingston vs San Ignacio (San Ignacio is 18% less expensive) Kingston vs Belmopan (Belmopan is 45% less expensive) Kingston vs San Pedro Town (San Pedro Town is 1% more expensive) Kingston vs Caye Caulker (Caye Caulker is 19% more expensive)
Guatemala
Kingston vs Guatemala City (Guatemala City is 24% less expensive) Kingston vs Mixco (Mixco is 52% less expensive) Kingston vs Coban (Coban is 31% less expensive) Kingston vs Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango is 41% less expensive) Kingston vs Jalapa (Jalapa is 32% less expensive) Kingston vs San Miguel Petapa (San Miguel Petapa is 32% less expensive) Kingston vs Momostenango (Momostenango is 34% less expensive) Kingston vs Mazatenango (Mazatenango is 34% less expensive) Kingston vs Flores (Flores is 35% less expensive) Kingston vs Panajachel (Panajachel is 40% less expensive)
Honduras
Kingston vs Tegucigalpa (Tegucigalpa is 37% less expensive) Kingston vs San Pedro Sula (San Pedro Sula is 22% less expensive) Kingston vs Choloma (Choloma is 55% less expensive) Kingston vs La Ceiba (La Ceiba is 51% less expensive) Kingston vs El Progreso (El Progreso is 33% less expensive) Kingston vs Villanueva (Villanueva is 35% less expensive) Kingston vs Comayagua (Comayagua is 46% less expensive) Kingston vs Puerto Cortes (Puerto Cortes is 46% less expensive) Kingston vs Yoro (Yoro is 45% less expensive) Kingston vs La Lima (La Lima is 34% less expensive)
Dominican Republic
Kingston vs Santiago de los Caballeros (Santiago de los Caballeros is 40% less expensive) Kingston vs Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo is 21% less expensive) Kingston vs Puerto Plata (Puerto Plata is 42% less expensive) Kingston vs Higuey (Higuey is 42% less expensive) Kingston vs La Vega (La Vega is 57% less expensive) Kingston vs San Cristobal (San Cristobal is 37% less expensive) Kingston vs San Pedro de Macoris (San Pedro de Macoris is 45% less expensive) Kingston vs San Francisco de Macoris (San Francisco de Macoris is 60% less expensive) Kingston vs San Juan de la Maguana (San Juan de la Maguana is 53% less expensive) Kingston vs Bonao (Bonao is 59% less expensive)
Nicaragua
Kingston vs Managua (Managua is 42% less expensive) Kingston vs Leon (Leon is 52% less expensive) Kingston vs Masaya (Masaya is 46% less expensive) Kingston vs Matagalpa (Matagalpa is 58% less expensive) Kingston vs Chinandega (Chinandega is 52% less expensive) Kingston vs Esteli (Esteli is 55% less expensive) Kingston vs Granada (Granada is 47% less expensive) Kingston vs Jinotega (Jinotega is 66% less expensive) Kingston vs Juigalpa (Juigalpa is 50% less expensive) Kingston vs San Juan del Sur (San Juan del Sur is 33% less expensive)