Capital city, Jamaica
Cost of living in Kingston
How much a month costs in Kingston
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,640–2,520 (J$260,000–400,000).
Prices in Kingston
Typical 2026 ranges in JMD, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | JMD | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | J$110,000–240,000 | $694–1,510 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | J$70,000–140,000 | $442–883 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | J$5,000–9,000 | $32–57 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | J$20,000–45,000 | $126–284 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | J$1,500–2,500 | $9.5–15.8 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | J$4,000–8,000 | $25–50 |
| Cappuccino | J$700–1,300 | $4.4–8.2 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | J$700–1,300 | $4.4–8.2 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | J$200–350 | $1.3–2.2 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | J$1,500–3,500 | $9–22 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | J$8,000–16,000 | $50–101 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | J$3,000–6,000 | $19–38 |
Value for money: 35/100
A value score of 35/100 means Kingston gives more quality of life per dollar than 34% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 60/100. It's the 3rd most affordable of 4 places we cover in Jamaica.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Jamaica
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Negril | $1,510–2,400 | 42/100 |
| Ocho Rios | $1,580–2,400 | 42/100 |
| Kingston | $1,640–2,520 | 35/100 |
| Montego Bay | $1,770–2,650 | 35/100 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Kingston?
About $883–1,320 on a lean budget, $1,640–2,520 for a comfortable month and $3,470–5,990 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Kingston?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs J$110,000–240,000 ($694–1,510) a month in the center and J$70,000–140,000 ($442–883) outside it.
How much does food cost in Kingston?
A local meal is J$1,500–2,500 ($9.5–15.8); a mid-range restaurant is J$4,000–8,000 ($25–50) per person.
Is Jamaica expensive?
Prices in Jamaica are about 60% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Kingston
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Jamaica Tourist Board
- University Hospital of the West Indies
- Norman Manley International Airport
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.