The least expensive Caribbean islands to live on
What it really costs to live on each island, compared with Jamaica. These are rough monthly budgets for one person living modestly, with a simple rental, utilities, groceries and getting around.
The 10 most affordable islands
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The cheapest place in the region on most measures. Rent outside the tourist zones is low, local food is inexpensive, and public transport (guaguas and motoconchos) costs very little. Living in Punta Cana or central Santo Domingo pushes costs up.
Cheaper than Jamaica -
Close to Jamaica overall. Fuel and electricity are relatively cheap thanks to local oil and gas, and local food is good value. Imported goods and rent in the better parts of Port of Spain cost more.
About the same as Jamaica -
One of the more affordable English-speaking islands. Rent is modest and local produce is plentiful, but imported goods and flights off the island add up, and choices in shops are limited.
About the same as Jamaica -
Mainland St. Vincent is reasonably affordable, with modest rents and local markets. Living in the Grenadines, especially Bequia or Mustique, is far more expensive.
About the same as Jamaica -
Rents are low for the Eastern Caribbean, but groceries and electricity are pricey because so much is imported. The medical school near Grand Anse drives up rents in that area.
More expensive than Jamaica -
Middle of the pack. Locals and long-term renters away from Rodney Bay and Soufrière pay much less than tourist prices, but electricity and imported food are expensive.
More expensive than Jamaica -
Cheaper than the mainland US for rent, but groceries and electricity cost about as much or more. Living in San Juan's beach areas costs noticeably more than the rest of the island.
More expensive than Jamaica -
Everyday living is quiet and simple, but housing is limited, almost everything is imported, and getting on and off the island takes extra time and money.
More expensive than Jamaica -
French prices apply: supermarkets are well stocked but expensive, and imported goods cost more than in mainland France. Good public healthcare and roads are part of what you pay for.
More expensive than Jamaica -
The most affordable of the ABC islands. Rent outside the tourist areas is reasonable, but electricity and imported food are costly.
More expensive than Jamaica
Every island, cheapest to most expensive
| Island | Monthly budget | Range | Compared with Jamaica |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuba (not recommended right now) | $900 to $1,500 | Cheaper than Jamaica | |
| Haiti (not recommended right now) | $900 to $1,500 | Cheaper than Jamaica | |
| Dominican Republic | $1,000 to $1,600 | Cheaper than Jamaica | |
| Trinidad & Tobago | $1,300 to $2,000 | About the same as Jamaica | |
| Dominica | $1,300 to $2,100 | About the same as Jamaica | |
| St. Vincent & the Grenadines | $1,400 to $2,200 | About the same as Jamaica | |
| Grenada | $1,500 to $2,500 | More expensive than Jamaica | |
| St. Lucia | $1,600 to $2,600 | More expensive than Jamaica | |
| Puerto Rico | $1,800 to $2,800 | More expensive than Jamaica | |
| Montserrat | $1,800 to $2,800 | More expensive than Jamaica | |
| Guadeloupe | $2,000 to $3,000 | More expensive than Jamaica | |
| Curaçao | $2,000 to $3,000 | More expensive than Jamaica | |
| Martinique | $2,000 to $3,100 | More expensive than Jamaica | |
| Antigua & Barbuda | $2,200 to $3,500 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| Bonaire | $2,300 to $3,500 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| St. Kitts & Nevis | $2,300 to $3,500 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| Aruba | $2,500 to $3,800 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| Barbados | $2,500 to $3,800 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| St. Martin / Sint Maarten | $2,500 to $4,000 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| The Bahamas | $3,000 to $4,500 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| US Virgin Islands | $3,000 to $4,500 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| Anguilla | $3,000 to $5,000 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| Turks & Caicos | $3,500 to $5,500 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| British Virgin Islands | $3,500 to $5,500 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| Cayman Islands | $4,000 to $6,500 | Much more expensive than Jamaica | |
| St. Barthélemy | $5,000 to $9,000 | Much more expensive than Jamaica |
Island's range Jamaica's range
Why Cuba and Haiti aren't on the list
On paper, both are among the cheapest places in the Caribbean. In practice, Cuba is dealing with long blackouts, fuel and food shortages, and limited residency options for foreigners, and Haiti is under a "Do not travel" warning. Neither is a realistic place to move to right now.
How these numbers were put together
Where Numbeo has enough data (the Cayman Islands, US Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Grenada, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba and the Dominican Republic), the estimates follow its 2026 cost of living figures. For the other islands, they are based on published cost-of-living guides and typical rents and grocery prices. Treat them as a starting point: rent near beaches and tourist areas can be double what you'll pay in local neighborhoods, and electricity is expensive almost everywhere in the Caribbean.