Cost of living in Castries
Castries, the capital city of Saint Lucia, is a vibrant hub known for its rich culture and beautiful landscapes. Understanding the cost of living in Castries is crucial for anyone considering relocating or planning an extended stay.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you make informed financial decisions.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $7.40 on average, with a range between $4.63 and $16.65.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $55.50, with prices ranging from $44.40 to $74.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $7.40, with a range between $7.40 and $9.25.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.85 to $5.55, imported beer $2.59 to $7.40, cappuccino $1.85 to $3.70, and Coke/Pepsi $1.11 to $4.44.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $1.57 and $5.92 per liter, averaging $2.04.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.93 and $2.45, with an average price of $1.63.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $3.11 to $5.55, averaging $3.79.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $5.55 to $11.42 per kg, while oranges range from $4.44 to $8.16 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $2.45 and $4.08 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.11 to $2.59 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.11 and $1.30.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.30 and $1.66 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $7.40, with a cost of $9.25 for the initial fare and $18.50 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $410.72 to $925.05, averaging $653.95.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $333.02 to $555.03, averaging $407.02.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $740.04 to $1480.08, averaging $847.54.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $555.03 to $740.04, averaging $656.79.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $55.50 and $185.01, averaging $117.17.
- Internet - Internet services range from $38.85 to $48.10, with an average cost of $45.02.
Cost of Living Data
The following pricing data has been gathered from 18 user contributions, as of the most recent update in August, 2024.
Restaurants
Restaurants
Avg
Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$7.40
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$55.50
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$7.40
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.04
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.70
Markets
Markets
Avg
Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$2.04
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.63
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.79
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.03
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$11.47
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.73
Apples (1kg)
$7.56
Oranges (1kg)
$6.30
Potato (1kg)
$3.45
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.97
Rice (white), (1kg)
$2.15
Tomato (1kg)
$9.19
Banana (1kg)
$1.66
Onion (1kg)
$1.73
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$8.59
Transportation
Transportation
Avg
Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.11
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.51
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$28,676.62
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$9.25
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$18.50
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$27,134.87
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Avg
Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$653.95
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$407.02
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$847.54
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$656.79
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg
Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$117.17
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$45.02
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$111.01
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Avg
Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$33.92
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$5.55
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Avg
Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$78.94
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$58.59
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$123.34
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$101.76
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Avg
Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$99.57
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$63.73
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Avg
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,233.40
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
7%
Childcare
Childcare
Avg
Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$181.93
Castries Cost of Living
"Key Takeaways"
Castries offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many urban centers, with reasonable prices for dining and groceries.
Housing costs are moderate, especially outside the city centre, making it a viable option for those looking to save on rent.
Transportation is economical, with low costs for public transport and gasoline, though taxi fares can add up quickly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Castries presents a balanced cost of living with affordable options in dining, transportation, and housing.
While some items like imported goods and certain utilities may be higher, the overall expenses remain manageable for most residents.
Prospective residents should consider their lifestyle needs and budget accordingly to make the most of living in this beautiful Caribbean city.
Castries