Montego Bay, Jamaica

Cost of Living in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Montego Bay costs approximately $1,329 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $267. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

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 358 sunny days a year.

Top for Party BeachDigital nomad visaFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$1,329≈ $44/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$267
Internet67 Mbps
Safety48/100
Avg Temp86°F

Montego Bay Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$9.19
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$86.51
McDonald's Combo Meal$8.33
Cappuccino$4.97
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.24
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.73

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$2.60
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.49
Eggs (12)$3.60
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$2.91
Apples (1 lb)$1.92
Bananas (1 lb)$1.16
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.16
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.95
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.88
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$11.53
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$9.29

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.96
Taxi Start$0.96
Taxi (1 Mile)$5.16
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.34
VW Golf (New)$43,893.37

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$167.14
Mobile Phone Plan$21.95
Broadband Internet$48.24

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$44.85
Cinema Ticket$8.65
Preschool (Monthly)$53.40
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$1,922.34

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$24.03
Nike Running Shoes$68.35

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$266.99
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$559.78
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$768.94
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$768.94

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$558.78
Mortgage Interest Rate9.45%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Montego Bay

Internet67 Mbps
Safety48/100
Healthcare51/100
Public Transit18/100
Walkability25/100
Nightlife40/100
Food Scene72/100
Fine Dining5/100
Coffee Culture18/100
Air Quality78/100
Green Spaces45/100
Culture78/100
Beaches92/100
Hiking45/100
Surfing10/100
Coworking Spaces5
US Visa-Free180 days

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 358 sunny days and 192 rainy days per year.

Montego Bay in our travel guides

Visa Requirements for Jamaica

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