Cost Of Living in Jamaica 2024
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Jamaica
Whether you're living in Jamaica or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.
Average Monthly Expenditure96,000 JMD
per month$6207,400 JMD $47
$6,200 960,000 JMD
Single66,000 JMD
per month$43022,000 JMD $140
$2,800 440,000 JMD
Couple110,000 JMD
per month$71037,000 JMD $240
$3,800 590,000 JMD
Family150,000 JMD
per month$95052,000 JMD $330
$5,200 810,000 JMD
Student44,000 JMD
per month$28017,000 JMD $110
$500 78,000 JMD
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Jamaica is 66,000 JMD. Expenses can range from 22,000 JMD at the minimum level to 440,000 JMD at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Jamaica is 110,000 JMD. Expenditure can range from 37,000 JMD to 590,000 JMD per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Jamaica is 150,000 JMD per month. Families spend anywhere from 52,000 JMD to 810,000 JMD.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Jamaica is 44,000 JMD. Students spend from 17,000 JMD to 78,000 JMD per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Jamaica
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Large bottle of water
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one | 640 JMD | 970 JMD | 3,900 JMD |
Soda or Soft Drink
Cappuccino or latte Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
Loaf of bread
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank | 480 JMD | 640 JMD | 1,300 JMD |
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price | 240,000 JMD | 480,000 JMD | 640,000 JMD |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service | 640 JMD | 970 JMD | 1,900 JMD |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual | 1,300 JMD | 4,000 JMD | 27,000 JMD |
Utility Bill - Couple | 1,800 JMD | 5,500 JMD | 30,000 JMD |
Utility Bill - Family | 1,600 JMD | 4,400 JMD | 24,000 JMD |
Internet and cable | 480 JMD | 970 JMD | 1,300 JMD |
Mobile phone charges | 390 JMD | 640 JMD | 1,900 JMD |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership | 770 JMD | 970 JMD | 1,900 JMD |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants | 570 JMD | 810 JMD | 1,200 JMD |
Woman dress | 540 JMD | 740 JMD | 2,400 JMD |
Woman shoes | 510 JMD | 690 JMD | 1,600 JMD |
Men's shoes | 440 JMD | 540 JMD | 1,100 JMD |
Men suit | 480 JMD | 600 JMD | 3,200 JMD |
Regular t-shirt Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment | 8,100 JMD | 12,000 JMD | 32,000 JMD |
1-bedroom apartment | 12,000 JMD | 19,000 JMD | 48,000 JMD |
2-bedroom apartment | 16,000 JMD | 24,000 JMD | 64,000 JMD |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment | 1.6M JMD | 2.4M JMD | 4.8M JMD |
1-bedroom apartment | 1.9M JMD | 3.2M JMD | 12M JMD |
2-bedroom apartment | 3.2M JMD | 9.7M JMD | 19M JMD |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed | 9,700 JMD | 12,000 JMD | 16,000 JMD |
Double Bed | 6,400 JMD | 9,700 JMD | 12,000 JMD |
Single Bed | 5,700 JMD | 7,400 JMD | 9,700 JMD |
Living Room | 11,000 JMD | 14,000 JMD | 48,000 JMD |
Dining Table | 4,800 JMD | 6,400 JMD | 12,000 JMD |
Sofa or Couch | 6,400 JMD | 8,800 JMD | 19,000 JMD |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set | 6,400 JMD | 9,700 JMD | 19,000 JMD |
Fridge or Freezer | 5,700 JMD | 8,800 JMD | 12,000 JMD |
Washing Machine | 7,400 JMD | 11,000 JMD | 19,000 JMD |
Stove or Cooker | 6,900 JMD | 8,800 JMD | 12,000 JMD |
Mobile Phone | 8,100 JMD | 9,700 JMD | 14,000 JMD |
Laptop or Computer | 8,800 JMD | 11,000 JMD | 19,000 JMD |
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Jamaica
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.
Spending to Income Ratio
87%
80% to 95%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 4% |
| 50% - 60% | 9% |
| 60% - 70% | 15% |
| 70% - 80% | 25% |
| 80% - 90% | 20% |
| 90% - 100% | 11% |
| 100% - 110% | 6% |
| 110% - 120% | 4% |
| 120% - 130% | 3% |
| 130% - 140% | 2% |
| > 140% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Jamaica is 87%
This means that on average, people spend around 87% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 15% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
78%
Spending-Income-Ratio
72%
86%
Couple
83%
Spending-Income-Ratio
76%
90%
Family
91%
Spending-Income-Ratio
84%
100%
How do people spend their money in Jamaica?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing Expenditure24%
24% of total expenses on average (13% to 32%)
| LOW | $14 2,200 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $180 29,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $1,800 290,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
People living in Jamaica typically spend from 13% to 32% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 24% being the average. The average spend on housing is 29,000 JMD with expenditure ranging from 2,200 JMD to 290,000 JMD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.
Utilities, Electricity, Water8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 12%)
| LOW | $2.4 370 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $31 4,800 JMD |
| HIGH | $310 48,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Jamaica ranges from 5% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 4,800 JMD with 370 JMD and 48,000 JMD being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute7%
7% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $4.7 740 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $62 9,600 JMD |
| HIGH | $620 96,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 740 JMD to 96,000 JMD on commuting with 9,600 JMD being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.
Food and Groceries Cost28%
28% of total expenses on average (20% to 34%)
| LOW | $12 1,800 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $150 24,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $1,500 240,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Jamaica is 24,000 JMD. The cost of groceries can range between 1,800 JMD to 240,000 JMD. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services10%
10% of total expenses on average (5% to 13%)
| LOW | $3.3 520 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $43 6,700 JMD |
| HIGH | $430 67,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
People in Jamaica allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 520 JMD to 67,000 JMD with 6,700 JMD being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $1.9 300 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $25 3,800 JMD |
| HIGH | $250 38,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 300 JMD to 38,000 JMD with 3,800 JMD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most residents.
Education and Schooling5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $2.8 440 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $37 5,800 JMD |
| HIGH | $370 58,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 5,800 JMD per month with 440 JMD being the minimum spent amount and 58,000 JMD being the maximum.
Other Expenses14%
14% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)
| LOW | $6.2 960 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $80 12,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $800 120,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
How much money can you save in Jamaica every month?
We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.
What percentage of people in Jamaica manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 56% of the surveyed people in Jamaica said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 44% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Jamaica
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 60% | 40% |
| Couples | 55% | 45% |
| Families | 50% | 50% |
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
2,300 JMD
$15 | 30,000 JMD
$190 | 300,000 JMD
$1,900 |
For most people, 8% to 28% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 15% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 30,000 JMD on average with savings ranging from 2,300 JMD to 300,000 JMD.
60% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 55% of couples said the same. 50% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Jamaica?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
6,900 JMD
$44 | 21,000 JMD
$130 | 140,000 JMD
$880 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 33% |
| 10% - 20% | 26% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 12% |
| 40% - 50% | 9% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 11% to 30% of their monthly income to savings, with 19% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 21,000 JMD with 6,900 JMD and 140,000 JMD being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
11,000 JMD
$74 | 34,000 JMD
$220 | 180,000 JMD
$1,200 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 37% |
| 10% - 20% | 28% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 7% |
| 40% - 50% | 6% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 9% to 29% of their monthly income, with 17% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 34,000 JMD with 11,000 JMD and 180,000 JMD being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
16,000 JMD
$100 | 46,000 JMD
$290 | 250,000 JMD
$1,600 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 40% |
| 10% - 20% | 31% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 4% |
| 40% - 50% | 3% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Jamaica can save anywhere between 8% to 26% of their monthly income, with 14% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 46,000 JMD with 16,000 JMD and 250,000 JMD being the minimum and maximum respectively.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Jamaica
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Jamaica?
Around 52% of surveyed residents think that living in Jamaica is affordable with proper budgeting while 48% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Jamaica
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options55%
Few low-cost options45%
Based on the survey, 55% of the people living in Jamaica have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 45% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Jamaica whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes50%
No50%
Based on the survey, 50% of the people living in Jamaica said that they don't have an emergency fund while 50% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Jamaica
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy47%
We asked residents of Jamaica whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 53% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 47% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether residents of Jamaica have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 49% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 51% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance49%
Easily manages finances51%
Financial goals of people in Jamaica
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Jamaica, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 8% |
| Debt Reduction | 42% |
| Retirement Savings | 10% |
| Education Funding | 7% |
| Homeownership | 18% |
| Investing | 7% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 7% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 14% |
| Financial Independence | 5% |
Around 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 42% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 7% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 7% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 14% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Saving Challenges in Jamaica
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Jamaica. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 5% |
| High Expenses | 8% |
| Debt and Loans | 13% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 12% |
| Impulsive Spending | 11% |
| Financial Emergencies | 7% |
| Living the moment | 5% |
| Will do it later | 21% |
| Inflation | 13% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 2% |
Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 13% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 11% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 21% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 13% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Typical saving choices for people in Jamaica
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 12% |
| Gold | 13% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 10% |
| Cash Savings | 21% |
| Real Estate | 9% |
| Investment | 5% |
| Stocks | 4% |
| Bonds | 5% |
| Mutual Funds | 2% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Jamaica
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Jamaica and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in Jamaica is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.
Retirement planning and savings
There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Jamaica:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 250,000 JMD |
| 30 | 500,000 JMD |
| 35 | 880,000 JMD |
| 40 | 1.3M JMD |
| 45 | 1.9M JMD |
| 50 | 2.6M JMD |
| 55 | 3.1M JMD |
| 60 | 3.9M JMD |
| 65 | 4.7M JMD |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents of Jamaica about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 12% |
| Savings | 23% |
| Investments | 12% |
| Social Security | 7% |
| Annuities | 7% |
| Part-time Job | 15% |
| Real Estate | 18% |
| Dividends and Interest | 7% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Jamaica 16,000 JMD
$110 | 49,000 JMD
$320 | 330,000 JMD
$2,100 |
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Jamaica
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 30% of the people in Jamaica have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 70% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Jamaica
Debt to income ratio
32%
24% to 40%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 32% of the people's monthly income in Jamaica goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 18% |
| 40% - 50% | 14% |
| 30% - 40% | 16% |
| 20% - 30% | 10% |
| 10% - 20% | 12% |
| 0% - 10% | 26% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Jamaica pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 18% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 14% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 16% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 10% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Jamaica
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 8% |
| Auto Loan | 15% |
| Student Loan | 4% |
| Credit Card | 30% |
| Personal Loan | 43% |
8% of debtors in Jamaica confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 30% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 15% of people and personal loans rose at 43%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Jamaica.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Jamaica
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Jamaica how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 50% |
| Once a year | 24% |
| Twice a year | 13% |
| Three times a year | 9% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Jamaica
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Jamaica
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment | 8,100 JMD | 12,000 JMD | 32,000 JMD |
1-bedroom apartment | 12,000 JMD | 19,000 JMD | 48,000 JMD |
2-bedroom apartment | 16,000 JMD | 24,000 JMD | 64,000 JMD |
3-bedroom apartment | 19,000 JMD | 32,000 JMD | 88,000 JMD |
Furnished apartment | 39,000 JMD | 97,000 JMD | 190,000 JMD |
Townhouse | 32,000 JMD | 48,000 JMD | 140,000 JMD |
House | 39,000 JMD | 97,000 JMD | 190,000 JMD |
Villa | 48,000 JMD | 120,000 JMD | 190,000 JMD |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Jamaica ranges between 8,100 JMD and 32,000 JMD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 12,000 JMD to 48,000 JMD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 16,000 JMD and 64,000 JMD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 19,000 JMD to 88,000 JMD. The average rent of a townhouse in Jamaica is around 48,000 JMD while house rental costs can be as high as 97,000 JMD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 48,000 JMD to 190,000 JMD per month.
Apartment and house prices in Jamaica
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment | 1.6M JMD | 2.4M JMD | 4.8M JMD |
1-bedroom apartment | 1.9M JMD | 3.2M JMD | 12M JMD |
2-bedroom apartment | 3.2M JMD | 9.7M JMD | 19M JMD |
3-bedroom apartment | $69,000 | $100,000 | $310,000 |
Townhouse | $89,000 | $210,000 | $780,000 |
House | $100,000 | $620,000 | $890,000 |
Villa | 19M JMD | 110M JMD | 160M JMD |
The average price of a studio apartment in Jamaica can range from 1.6M JMD to 4.8M JMD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.9M JMD to 12M JMD. A villa can cost you 110M JMD on average with prices ranging from 19M JMD to 160M JMD.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Jamaica will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 31 | x86 monthly income | 192 |
Property prices in Jamaica can be x86 to x192 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x86 multiples of the average monthly salary in Jamaica.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Jamaica is around 29%. This means that people pay 29% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 39% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
27% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 150 JMD | 1,900 JMD | 19,000 JMD |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Jamaica
Housing30%
30% of total expenses on average (18% to 42%)
| LOW | $51 8,000 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $150 24,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $1,000 160,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water9%
9% of total expenses on average (5% to 14%)
| LOW | $8.5 1,300 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $26 4,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $170 27,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $11 1,800 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $34 5,300 JMD |
| HIGH | $230 35,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $23 3,500 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $68 11,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $460 71,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare12%
12% of total expenses on average (6% to 16%)
| LOW | $13 2,000 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $38 6,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $260 40,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 5%)
| LOW | $7.1 1,100 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $21 3,300 JMD |
| HIGH | $140 22,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Education1%
1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)
| LOW | $2.8 440 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $8.5 1,300 JMD |
| HIGH | $57 8,900 JMD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses22%
22% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $26 4,000 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $77 12,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $510 80,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Jamaica
Housing27%
27% of total expenses on average (20% to 37%)
| LOW | $78 12,000 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $230 37,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $1,300 190,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water8%
8% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $12 1,800 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $36 5,500 JMD |
| HIGH | $190 30,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel9%
9% of total expenses on average (3% to 14%)
| LOW | $28 4,400 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $85 13,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $460 71,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 22%)
| LOW | $33 5,200 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $100 16,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $530 83,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare14%
14% of total expenses on average (8% to 18%)
| LOW | $26 4,100 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $78 12,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $420 65,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $14 2,200 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $43 6,600 JMD |
| HIGH | $230 35,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Education1%
1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)
| LOW | $4.7 740 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $14 2,200 JMD |
| HIGH | $76 12,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses21%
21% of total expenses on average (15% to 27%)
| LOW | $40 6,300 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $120 19,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $650 100,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Jamaica
Housing26%
26% of total expenses on average (21% to 36%)
| LOW | $110 17,000 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $300 47,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $1,700 260,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)
| LOW | $27 4,100 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $76 12,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $420 65,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries21%
21% of total expenses on average (14% to 27%)
| LOW | $60 9,300 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $170 27,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $940 150,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare11%
11% of total expenses on average (7% to 16%)
| LOW | $27 4,100 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $76 12,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $420 65,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $17 2,600 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $47 7,400 JMD |
| HIGH | $260 41,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Education13%
13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)
| LOW | $46 7,200 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $130 21,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $730 110,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses16%
16% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)
| LOW | $40 6,200 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $110 18,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $630 97,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Jamaica
Housing18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $27 4,200 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $67 10,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $120 19,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $4.5 700 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $11 1,700 JMD |
| HIGH | $20 3,100 JMD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $7.8 1,200 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $20 3,000 JMD |
| HIGH | $35 5,500 JMD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $22 3,500 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $56 8,700 JMD |
| HIGH | $100 16,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $6.7 1,000 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $17 2,600 JMD |
| HIGH | $30 4,700 JMD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $5.6 870 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $14 2,200 JMD |
| HIGH | $25 3,900 JMD |
| Per Month |
Education18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $21 3,300 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $53 8,300 JMD |
| HIGH | $96 15,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $17 2,600 JMD |
| AVERAGE | $42 6,500 JMD |
| HIGH | $76 12,000 JMD |
| Per Month |
