City in Saint James, Jamaica
Cost of living in Montego Bay
How much a month costs in Montego Bay
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,770–2,650 (J$280,000–420,000).
Prices in Montego Bay
Typical 2026 ranges in JMD, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | JMD | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | J$120,000–250,000 | $757–1,580 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | J$80,000–150,000 | $505–946 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | J$5,000–9,000 | $32–57 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | J$18,000–40,000 | $114–252 |
| 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$700–1,200 | $4.4–7.6 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | J$700–1,200 | $4.4–7.6 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | J$200–500 | $1.3–3.2 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | J$1,500–3,500 | $9–22 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | J$8,000–15,000 | $50–95 |
| 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 Montego Bay gives more quality of life per dollar than 34% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 64/100. It's the 4th 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.
Cheaper alternatives to Montego Bay
Similar safety, lower cost, in Caribbean.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Cabarete | Dominican Republic | $1,430–2,180 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Montego Bay?
About $946–1,390 on a lean budget, $1,770–2,650 for a comfortable month and $3,790–6,310 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Montego Bay?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs J$120,000–250,000 ($757–1,580) a month in the center and J$80,000–150,000 ($505–946) outside it.
How much does food cost in Montego Bay?
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 Montego Bay
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Jamaica Tourist Board
- Sangster International Airport
- Knutsford Express
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.