Cost of Living in Nassau

Nassau's rental market reflects the island's high cost of living, with most accommodation priced significantly above Caribbean averages. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center runs $1,200-$1,800 per month on a long-term lease, while studios in areas like Coral Harbour or Tropical Gardens can sometimes be found starting around $750-$1,000 per month. Outside the central area, one-bedroom units paradoxically hover around $1,800-$2,200 due to demand in desirable coastal neighborhoods like Cable Beach and Sandyport. Airbnb monthly stays are considerably more expensive, typically $2,500-$4,000 per month for a furnished one-bedroom, though they come with the convenience of wifi, kitchens, and flexible terms. For budget-conscious digital nomads, a room in a shared flat runs approximately $600-$900 per month, and platforms like Booking.com and local Facebook groups occasionally list private rooms with shared amenities. Long-term leases negotiated directly with landlords through local agencies like Bahamas Realty, Coldwell Banker Bahamas, or the YourBahamas.com portal will always beat platform pricing.

Nassau is not a cheap city to eat out in, and most digital nomads are surprised by how quickly dining costs add up. At the budget end, local takeaway joints and food trucks in downtown Nassau serve Bahamian staples like curry chicken with rice for around $8, cracked conch plates for $10-$12, and conch salad from street vendors starting at $10. The iconic Fish Fry at Arawak Cay is where locals and visitors alike go for affordable seafood -- a plate of fried snapper with mac and cheese and coleslaw runs $12-$18, and a Kalik beer is $5-$6. Potter's Cay Dock, tucked beneath the Paradise Island bridge, is another budget goldmine where food trucks like Evelyn's serve steamed ribs or turkey lunches for as little as $6. For fast food, a McDonald's combo meal costs around $9-$12. Coffee at local shops like COCOA Coffee House or Gregory's Mediterranean Delights runs $5-$6 for a cappuccino or latte, making the daily caffeine habit a noticeable expense. Stick to Bahamian-owned takeaway spots along the jitney routes and you can eat for $15-$25 per day if you mix in some home cooking.

Grocery shopping in Nassau is one of the biggest budget shocks for newcomers. The Bahamas imports roughly 90% of its food, and import duties of 35-45% push prices well above U.S. levels. Expect to pay around $4.00 per liter for milk, $5.70 for a 500g loaf of white bread, $7.60 for a dozen eggs, $6.90 per kilogram of white rice, and $12.80 per kilogram for boneless chicken breast. Fruits and vegetables carry steep markups too: tomatoes run about $10.70 per kilogram, apples $5.25 per kilogram, and a head of lettuce around $3.60. Beef is particularly expensive at $27 per kilogram. A realistic monthly grocery budget for a single person cooking most meals at home is $500-$650, though frugal shoppers who lean heavily on rice, local produce, and chicken can trim that closer to $400-$450. The government regulates prices on a handful of staples including rice, grits, butter, canned tuna, and baby products, which keeps those items somewhat affordable.

Nassau's public transit revolves around the jitney system -- colorful minibuses that run fixed routes across New Providence Island for just $1.25-$1.50 per ride (exact change required, Bahamian dollars or USD accepted at par). With 42 routes radiating from the downtown hub, jitneys cover everything from Cable Beach to the eastern tip of the island, operating roughly 6 AM to 6 PM daily with limited Sunday service. They are by far the cheapest way to get around, though schedules are informal and waits of 15-30 minutes are common. Taxis are the main alternative, and fares are government-regulated rather than metered: expect around $6 within downtown Nassau, $9 from Paradise Island to downtown (bridge toll included), and $18 between Cable Beach and Paradise Island. Each additional passenger beyond two costs $3, and a 15% tip is customary. There is no Uber or Lyft in the Bahamas due to taxi union protections; local apps like Bahamas Ride exist but are unreliable, so flagging a cab or calling a dispatcher remains the norm. From Lynden Pindling International Airport, fixed-rate taxi fares to downtown Nassau run $30-$45, with the ride taking about 20 minutes depending on traffic.

Internet infrastructure in Nassau has improved significantly in recent years, with fiber optic coverage now widespread across New Providence. The two main ISPs are BTC (Bahamas Telecommunications Company) and REV (formerly Cable Bahamas, now transitioning to the ALIVFibr network). BTC's fiber plans start at around $85 per month for mid-tier speeds of roughly 150 Mbps, scaling up to gigabit service at higher price points. Bundled packages including TV and phone start from $150 plus 10% VAT. The national average fixed broadband download speed sits around 60-70 Mbps, though fiber customers in Nassau regularly see 100+ Mbps. For mobile connectivity, the Bahamas has two carriers: BTC and Aliv. Prepaid SIM cards are easy to purchase at the airport or downtown shops -- BTC SIMs cost about $15 BSD and Aliv SIMs around $30 BSD (which includes an initial data plan). BTC's prepaid bundles range from $5 for 1 GB to $39 for 7 GB plus extras, while Aliv offers tourist-friendly packages such as 2.5 GB for $12 or 15 GB for $20 valid for 15 days. All prices are subject to an additional 12% VAT. Bring an unlocked phone and your passport to activate a SIM -- Aliv has a kiosk right in the airport arrivals hall.

The Bahamas operates a two-tier healthcare system, with public facilities run by the Public Hospitals Authority and a growing private sector concentrated almost entirely in Nassau. Princess Margaret Hospital is the country's largest public hospital and provides affordable emergency care -- an ambulance ride, X-rays, and ER treatment can cost as little as $40, though waits can be lengthy and facilities are stretched thin. For digital nomads, the private Doctors Hospital on Collins Avenue is the go-to option, offering 24-hour emergency services, outpatient care, and specialist consultations in a modern setting. A general practitioner visit at a private clinic runs approximately $95-$120 for a 15-minute consultation, while specialist appointments start around $150 with a $50 scheduling fee at clinics like the Family Medicine Center. Emergency treatment at Doctors Hospital typically requires a credit card hold of around $1,500-$2,000 upfront, though final bills may come in lower -- one expat reported paying $1,600 for a broken ankle including X-rays, anesthesia, and casting. The National Health Insurance (NHI) program covers Bahamian citizens and legal residents only, so foreign visitors must rely on private insurance or pay out of pocket.

The Bahamas welcomes remote workers through the BEATS (Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay) program, which grants a 12-month stay permit for $1,025 ($25 application fee plus $1,000 permit fee), renewable up to three years total. Citizens of most Western countries can also enter visa-free for up to 90 days on a tourist visa, though working remotely on a tourist stamp is technically a gray area. One major draw is the tax situation: the Bahamas levies no income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax on residents or visitors, making it particularly attractive for freelancers and entrepreneurs. For banking, ATMs are widely available in Nassau from RBC, Scotiabank, and Commonwealth Bank, but expect fees of $3-$3.50 per withdrawal plus your home bank's foreign transaction charges. The Bahamian dollar is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, and both currencies are accepted interchangeably everywhere, which eliminates exchange rate headaches. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but carry cash for smaller vendors, jitneys (local buses at $1.25 per ride), and the Straw Market. Be cautious with ATM and credit card skimming -- use machines inside bank branches rather than standalone units.