Brades, the de facto capital of Montserrat, offers a unique living experience on this Caribbean island. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocation or planning an extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Brades, covering everything from dining and groceries to transportation and housing.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $18.5 on average, with a range between $11.1 and $22.2.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $48.1, with prices ranging from $44.4 to $66.6.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $7.4.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $2.22 to $2.96, imported beer $2.96 to $4.44, cappuccino $3.7 to $8.88, and Coke/Pepsi $1.85 to $2.96.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is consistently priced at $3.33 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $2.96.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs are priced at $7.1.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Lettuce) - Apples cost $3.26 per kg, while lettuce ranges from $2.96 to $7.4 per head.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Tomatoes, Onions) - Tomatoes are priced at $4.44 per kg, and onions at $2.22 per kg.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $1.85.
  • Car Purchase (e.g., Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla) - A Volkswagen Golf costs approximately $22,201.25, while a Toyota Corolla is priced at $16,650.94.

Housing Costs

  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre is consistently $1295.07.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent is also $1295.07.

Utilities

  • Mobile Phone Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs $40.7 monthly.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 4 user contributions, as of the most recent update in January, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$18.50
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$48.10
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$7.40
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.59
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.44
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42
Cappuccino (regular)
$6.29
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$3.33
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.96
Eggs (regular) (12)
$7.10
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.92
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$21.28
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.44
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.25
Apples (1kg)
$3.26
Lettuce (1 head)
$5.18
Tomato (1kg)
$4.44
Onion (1kg)
$2.22
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$24.05
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.85
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$22,201.25
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$16,650.94
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$1,295.07
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,295.07
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$40.70
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$55.50
Brades Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Brades offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many urban centers, with moderate prices for dining and groceries.

Housing costs are uniform across the city, with 3-bedroom apartments priced similarly in and outside the city centre.

Transportation is economical, with low costs for public transport and competitive prices for new cars.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Brades presents a balanced cost of living, making it an attractive option for those seeking a Caribbean lifestyle without the high expenses of larger cities.

Prospective residents should consider the uniform housing costs and affordable transportation when planning their budget.