Photo: Studio Sarah Lou · CC BY 2.0
Cost of Living in Montego Bay, Jamaica
Montego Bay is a city in Jamaica, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,329 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $267 per month, or $560 outside the centre. Internet is workable at around 67 Mbps median download speed, and Jamaica offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Montego Bay scores 48/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 89°F and winter highs around 83°F, with roughly 291 sunny days a year.
How Montego Bay Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Montego Bay is cheaper than 60% of them, but sits in the bottom 7% for walkability.
| Metric | Montego Bay | World rank | Rank in Latin America & Caribbean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,329 | #135 of 340 | #51 of 63 |
| Safety | 48/100 | #249 of 340 | #28 of 63 |
| Healthcare | 51/100 | #284 of 340 | #39 of 63 |
| Internet speed | 67 Mbps | #268 of 340 | #41 of 63 |
| Walkability | 25/100 | #320 of 340 | #62 of 63 |
| Public transit | 18/100 | #264 of 340 | #46 of 63 |
| Food scene | 72/100 | #178 of 340 | #24 of 63 |
| Air quality | 78/100 | #214 of 340 | #32 of 63 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Montego Bay
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Montego Bay.
- Florianopolis, Brazil — $1,047/mo, 21% cheaper, safety 50/100
- Vitoria, Brazil — $893/mo, 33% cheaper, safety 42/100
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — $1,060/mo, 20% cheaper, safety 52/100
- Tamarindo, Costa Rica — $1,100/mo, 17% cheaper, safety 58/100
Everyday Prices in Montego Bay, Compared
| Item | Montego Bay | Against other cities |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR rent, city centre | $267/mo | Cheaper than 95% |
| 1BR rent, outside centre | $560/mo | Cheaper than 59% |
| Utilities | $167/mo | Pricier than 53% |
| Home internet | $48/mo | Pricier than 63% |
| Gym membership | $45/mo | Cheaper than 53% |
| Cheap restaurant meal | $9.19 | Cheaper than 65% |
| Cappuccino | $4.97 | Pricier than 86% |
| Local beer at a bar | $2.24 | Cheaper than 83% |
Compared with every other city in Voyica's price data that reports the same item.
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Montego Bay
Montego Bay FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Montego Bay?
A single person should budget around $1,329 per month in Montego Bay, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.
How much is rent in Montego Bay?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Montego Bay averages $267 per month, dropping to about $560 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $769.
Is Montego Bay safe?
Montego Bay scores 48/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 45/100.
How fast is the internet in Montego Bay?
Median download speeds in Montego Bay are around 67 Mbps — workable for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 5 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Jamaica offer a digital nomad visa?
Yes — Jamaica offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 180 days visa-free before applying.
What is the weather like in Montego Bay?
Montego Bay sees summer highs around 89°F and winter highs near 83°F, with about 291 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 90 days.
Montego Bay in our travel guides
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