Cost of living in Barbados

Barbados, a beautiful island nation in the Caribbean, is known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for both potential residents and visitors.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $25 on average, with a range between $15 and $30.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $112.5, with prices ranging from $100 to $125.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $10.25, with a range between $10 and $15.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.75 to $3, imported beer $2.5 to $6, cappuccino $1.75 to $6, and Coke/Pepsi $1.25 to $2.5.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $3 and $4 per liter, averaging $3.47.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.83 and $3.5, with an average price of $2.31.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $4 to $7.2, averaging $5.57.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.26 to $6.61 per kg, while oranges range from $1.26 to $7 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.26 and $7.5 per kg, and lettuce costs $2 to $3.75 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.5 and $1.75, with a monthly pass priced at $75.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $2.04 and $2.11 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $7.5, with a cost of $2.5 to $4.35 per km and $22.5 to $50 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $550 to $900, averaging $733.33.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $400 to $1000, averaging $666.67.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1200 to $3250, averaging $2111.11.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1000 to $1700, averaging $1400.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $100 and $305, averaging $175.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $60 to $100, with an average cost of $75.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 39 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$25.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$112.50
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$10.25
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.40
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40
Cappuccino (regular)
$4.17
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$3.47
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.31
Eggs (regular) (12)
$5.57
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.67
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.83
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$16.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.33
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.30
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$10.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.17
Apples (1kg)
$5.00
Oranges (1kg)
$5.00
Potato (1kg)
$4.25
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.59
Rice (white), (1kg)
$5.09
Tomato (1kg)
$5.50
Banana (1kg)
$4.00
Onion (1kg)
$4.80
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$14.50
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.75
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$75.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.05
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$50,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$10.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$3.42
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$40.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$45,000.00
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$733.33
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$666.67
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$2,111.11
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,400.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$175.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$75.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$49.00
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$85.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.50
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$10.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.83
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$60.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$191.67
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$141.67
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,109.19
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
7.4%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$267.50
OverviewJob Market
Barbados Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Barbados offers a relatively high cost of living, especially in terms of dining and transportation.

Housing is more affordable compared to many urban centers, particularly outside the city centre.

Groceries and utilities are moderately priced, but it's important to budget for higher costs in dining and leisure activities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, living in Barbados can be a delightful experience with its beautiful landscapes and vibrant culture.

However, potential residents should be prepared for a higher cost of living, particularly in dining and transportation.

By understanding these costs, you can better plan your budget and enjoy all that Barbados has to offer.

Barbados

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of Barbados
All cities in Barbados