It is a fact that Kingston and Montego Bay are two of the most vibrant places in Jamaica to live. While the job opportunities, nightlife, and entertainment are better than living in rural Jamaica, the cost of living in these major cities is of some concern. Here we will make some comparisons to help you decide on your next home based on the cost of living in Kingston and Montego Bay.
Utilities and Entertainment
Utility and entertainment costs in both cities are usually the same; you pay based on your usage, which will vary from household to household. The average cost could be JMD 25,000 for electric, water, internet, and cable bill.
Food
Montego Bay is home to the Charles Garden Market, which serves as the urban hub for the western side of the island. This means neighboring parishes would seek to come to this hub to buy and sell food. The Coronation Market in Kingston serves as this hub for the Eastern side of the island, making the cost of food in both cities relatively the same. Therefore, the cost of food would depend on the number of persons in your household and how much you consume monthly.
Rental and Real Estate
According to premium statistics, the cost of living in Kingston is 13% higher than living in Montego Bay, depending on where in Kingston you want to live. If you live in places referred to as the garrison or places more pronto violence, you will pay a lesser cost than if you live in premium areas. A Two Bedroom rental in Kingston would take out of pocket on average JMD 40-45,000 monthly, while in Montego Bay, you would look at JMD 30-40,000 for that same appointment.
While there are a few upscale sections in Montego-bay, which come with high price tags, in Kingston, there are entire neighborhoods and communities with this price tag.
Based on discoveries made above, the cost of living in Kingston and Montego Bay is relatively the same unless it comes on to rent and real estate. If you do not wish to live in Portmore or neighboring communities and to be closer to the working environment in Kingston, you will pay a higher price tag than the ones who do. We hope this article helped to relieve your curiosity.
