Cost of Living in Kingston

New Kingston is the most popular neighborhood for digital nomads and expats, sitting at the heart of the business district with walkable access to cafes, restaurants, coworking spaces, and embassies. Furnished one-bedroom apartments here range from $800 to $1,200 USD per month, with luxury condos in high-rise buildings near the Pegasus Hotel area fetching $1,500 USD or more. Many complexes include 24-hour security, swimming pools, backup generators, and assigned parking. For something more affordable, the adjacent Liguanea area offers furnished one-bedrooms averaging JMD 130,000-200,000 ($840-$1,290 USD) with a quieter residential feel while remaining minutes from Half Way Tree and New Kingston's commercial corridor.

Kingston's food scene is a vibrant mix of smoky jerk pits, bustling cook shops, and upscale New Kingston restaurants that reward adventurous eaters. For the most affordable meals, head to a local cook shop where a heaping plate of curry goat or stew chicken with rice and peas, a side of plantain, and a drink runs about JMD 800-1,200 ($5-8 USD). Jamaican patty shops like Tastee and Juici are beloved institutions serving flaky, spiced patties for JMD 250-400 ($1.60-2.50) each, making them the ultimate quick bite. Island Grill is another popular chain for budget-friendly jerk chicken combos at around JMD 1,000-1,300 ($6.50-8.50). A fast food combo meal at a chain averages JMD 1,300 ($8.50).

Kingston offers a solid range of supermarkets for self-catering digital nomads, though prices for imported goods run noticeably higher than in North America due to shipping costs, customs duties, and a 15% General Sales Tax on most non-staple items. The main chains are Hi-Lo Food Stores, MegaMart on Upper Waterloo Road, and Loshusan Supermarket, each offering a wide selection of local and imported products. PriceSmart on Red Hills Road operates as a Costco-style membership warehouse where bulk buying yields the best per-unit prices on pantry staples, cleaning supplies, and frozen goods. Expect to pay JMD 660 ($4.25) for a liter of milk, JMD 620 ($4) for a loaf of bread, JMD 560 ($3.60) for a dozen eggs, and JMD 255 ($1.65) per kilogram of white rice. Chicken fillets run about JMD 1,000 ($6.40) per kilogram, while local cheese costs around JMD 1,800 ($11.50) per kilo.

Getting around Kingston requires patience and street smarts, as the city's transportation network is functional but far from polished. The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) operates the public bus system across the Kingston Metropolitan Area, with adult fares at a very affordable J$100 (about US$0.65) per ride on standard routes. Buses cover most major corridors including the busy Half Way Tree to downtown stretch, but service can be irregular and vehicles are often crowded during peak hours. Route taxis — identifiable by the red license plates and "Route Taxi" printed on the side — follow fixed paths for slightly higher fares regulated by the Transport Authority, typically J$150-250 depending on distance. These shared minivans are faster than buses and depart once full, making them the most popular choice among locals for short-to-medium hops around New Kingston, Cross Roads, and Half Way Tree.

Kingston's internet infrastructure has improved significantly in recent years, making remote work quite feasible in most parts of the city. The fixed broadband market is dominated by two providers: Flow (owned by Liberty Latin America) and Digicel, which together serve about 95 percent of Jamaica's internet users. Flow has been aggressively rolling out fiber-to-the-home across Kingston, and its entry-level fiber plan offers 150 Mbps for J$5,500 (roughly US$35) per month plus 25 percent GCT tax. Higher tiers of 300-600 Mbps are available for J$7,000-12,000 monthly. Digicel offers comparable fiber, ADSL, and cable packages at similar price points. Median fixed broadband speeds in Jamaica rose to approximately 82 Mbps by early 2025, and in New Kingston and uptown areas you can realistically expect 50-100 Mbps on fiber connections, which is more than adequate for video calls and file transfers.

Kingston has a mix of public and private healthcare facilities, though quality varies significantly between the two. The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in Mona is the island's main teaching hospital and handles complex cases including trauma care, but wait times can be long and conditions in public wards are basic. For digital nomads, private facilities are the better option. Andrews Memorial Hospital on Hope Road and Medical Associates Hospital in Kingston are both full-service private hospitals offering 24/7 emergency care, lab work, imaging, and surgical services. Private clinics throughout New Kingston and Liguanea provide reliable general practice and specialist consultations. A short visit to a private doctor costs around JMD 3,500-4,500 (US$22-30), though lab work can add JMD 10,000 or more. Private hospitals typically require upfront cash payment before treatment, even in emergencies, so always carry a credit card or cash reserve.

Kingston demands more street awareness than most Caribbean destinations. The US State Department rates Jamaica at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) due to crime, and while this sounds alarming, violence is overwhelmingly concentrated in specific inner-city neighborhoods like Trench Town, Tivoli Gardens, Mountain View, and Arnett Gardens — areas digital nomads have no reason to visit. Stick to New Kingston, Liguanea, Barbican, and the Mona area near UWI, and you will find a manageable city with a vibrant creative scene. Use registered taxis with red license plates rather than walking after dark, be cautious at ATMs especially in New Kingston, and avoid displaying expensive electronics openly. Credit card skimming is on the rise, so use tap-to-pay where possible and monitor your statements regularly. With basic urban awareness, most long-term visitors settle in comfortably.