Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
High school
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
International Curriculum
Ib Diploma
Ib pathway
Sources checked May 14, 2026View primary source
Jamaica🇯🇲
At a Glance
How Jamaica compares across key indices
Cost of Living
62 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
35/100
Healthcare
53/100
Quality of Life
96/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Jamaica
Cost of Living
62
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
47
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
62
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
65
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Higher RiskHow safe residents feel in Jamaica - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
35/100
Crime Index
100/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
Daytime100
Nighttime100
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Jamaica
Jamaica has 11 cities with Freedom Abroad estimates. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,228 in Mandeville to $1,582 in Kingston. Mandeville leads on safety, scoring 39/100. Mandeville ranks highest for quality of life at 99/200.
đź’¸Most Affordable
Mandeville
$1,228/mo
Safest
Mandeville
39/100
Best Quality of Life
Mandeville
99/200
Best Healthcare
Kingston
64/100
City filter
Featured
Curated and popular cities first.
11 of 11 shown| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston | $1,582 | 31/100 | 94/200 | 64/100 | 41 |
| New Kingston | $1,387 | 34/100 | 96/200 | 57/100 | 36 |
| Spanish Town | $1,297 | 37/100 | 98/200 | 53/100 | 31 |
| Portmore | $1,274 | 38/100 | 98/200 | 52/100 | 30 |
| Montego Bay | $1,261 | 38/100 | 99/200 | 51/100 | 29 |
| Mandeville | $1,228 | 39/100 | 99/200 | 49/100 | 27 |
| May Pen | $1,228 | 39/100 | 99/200 | 49/100 | 27 |
| Old Harbour | $1,228 | 39/100 | 99/200 | 49/100 | 27 |
| Linstead | $1,228 | 39/100 | 99/200 | 49/100 | 27 |
| Half Way Tree | $1,228 | 39/100 | 99/200 | 49/100 | 27 |
| Savanna-la-Mar | $1,228 | 39/100 | 99/200 | 49/100 | 27 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Families
Schools
Verified school profiles for families comparing language model, grade range, credentials, and admissions next steps in Jamaica. Tuition appears only when published in verified public sources.
4
Verified records
2
Cities covered
3
Credential signals
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
International curriculum
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
International Curriculum
Cambridge International School
Cambridge pathway
Sources checked May 13, 2026View primary source
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
High school
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
International Curriculum
Ib Diploma
Ib pathway
Sources checked May 14, 2026View primary source
Institute Of Advanced Placement For High Achievers
Verified
International
May Pen
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
High school
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
International Curriculum
Ap Course Ledger
Ap pathway
Sources checked May 13, 2026View primary source
School records are maintained from direct school pages, public credential directories, public registry claims, and carefully labeled directory/community sources. Admissions, seat availability, and tuition can change quickly, so Freedom Abroad treats unpublished costs as “Contact school” instead of estimating.
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Jamaica
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Environment
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Jamaica
Pollution Index
35/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
17.4ug/m3
Moderate
Environmental Quality
Air Quality100/100
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Jamaica, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Jamaica?
Jamaica has a cost of living index of 62 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,274 in Portmore and reach $1,582 in Kingston.
What is the cheapest city in Jamaica for expats?
Portmore is the most affordable city in Jamaica in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $1,274 for a single person including rent. Spanish Town is the next most affordable at $1,297/mo.
Is Jamaica safe for expats?
Jamaica has a safety index of 35/100, making it worth researching carefully before committing for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Portmore scores highest on safety at 38/100.
What is the best city in Jamaica for expats and digital nomads?
Portmore ranks highest for quality of life in Jamaica, scoring 98/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $1,274/mo for a single person.
How good is healthcare in Jamaica?
Jamaica scores 53/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it adequate by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is Jamaica cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Jamaica's cost of living is roughly 38% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 53% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
What is the air quality and pollution like in Jamaica?
Jamaica has a pollution index of 35/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Jamaica
Plan Your Move
Where Can I Move?
Check whether this country fits your passport, budget, work setup, safety floor, and priorities.
Build My Escape Plan
Turn this country into a practical move plan with visa, insurance, housing, banking, and scouting-trip next steps.
Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
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Set Up International Banking
Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.
Get Connected
eSIM, VPN, and reliable internet - sorted before you land.
Book Your First Accommodation
Secure at least your first week. Having a home base makes everything else easier.
Find Flights
Find the cheapest flights with flexible date search. Set alerts for price drops on your route.
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Cost of living, safety, school, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates or verified public records modeled from open sources. Data sources
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