Cost of living comparison
United States is 2.7 times more expensive than Jamaica overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 2.0 times more in United States
- Groceries
-
pay 20.7% more in United States
- Transportation
-
pay 1.1% more in United States
- Housing
-
pay 2.4 times more in United States
- Childcare
-
pay 8.9 times more in United States
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 46.7% more in United States
- Clothing
-
pay 72.1% more in United States
The cost of childcare, housing, restaurants, clothing, entertainment and sports, and groceries in United States are more expensive than in Jamaica. Notably, childcare, housing, and restaurants are significantly more expensive in United States.
If you lived in United States instead of Jamaica, you would:
pay 2.0 times more for restaurants
|
Jamaica
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$7.25
JMD1,137.36
|
$18.59
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$7.80
JMD1,224.35
|
$10.47
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$1.33
JMD208.79
|
$2.50
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$0.85
JMD132.76
|
$1.96
|
|
pay 20.7% more for groceries
|
Jamaica
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.62
JMD411.53
|
$3.49
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$5.91
JMD928.31
|
$6.33
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$13.43
JMD2,107.17
|
$3.91
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.35
JMD525.40
|
$3.56
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$2.97
JMD465.85
|
$5.16
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.46
JMD386.42
|
$2.33
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.21
JMD189.14
|
$0.78
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.71
JMD268.26
|
$2.00
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.22
JMD191.11
|
$2.16
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.92
JMD144.18
|
$1.34
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.77
JMD120.19
|
$1.38
|
|
pay 1.1% more for transportation
|
Jamaica
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.83
JMD758.67
|
$3.61
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$37.59
JMD5,900.48
|
$65.15
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$40,601.97
JMD6,372,521.01
|
$31,583.67
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$22.62
JMD3,550.12
|
$17.81
|
|
pay 2.4 times more for housing
|
Jamaica
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$48.42
JMD7,600.08
|
$67.50
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$594.87
JMD93,364.71
|
$1,655.99
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$355.79
JMD55,841.29
|
$1,423.40
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$101.67
JMD15,956.67
|
$148.34
|
|
pay 8.9 times more for childcare
|
Jamaica
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$194.86
JMD30,584.17
|
$1,351.84
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$2,060.17
JMD323,346.44
|
$22,265.44
|
|
pay 46.7% more for entertainment and sports
|
Jamaica
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$2.65
JMD415.38
|
$5.78
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$3.05
JMD478.57
|
$5.04
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$8.65
JMD1,357.11
|
$9.68
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$41.08
JMD6,446.82
|
$50.84
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$11.65
JMD1,829.15
|
$13.30
|
|
pay 72.1% more for clothing
|
Jamaica
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$24.19
JMD3,795.98
|
$50.38
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$21.83
JMD3,425.56
|
$40.66
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$66.00
JMD10,358.62
|
$85.52
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$67.67
JMD10,620.87
|
$111.08
|
|
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