Cost of living in Christiansted
Christiansted, located in the US Virgin Islands, offers a unique blend of island charm and modern amenities. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for both potential residents and visitors.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses, including housing, dining, transportation, and more, to help you plan your budget effectively.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $20 on average, with a range between $10 and $40.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $110, with prices ranging from $90 to $130.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $8.5, with a range between $8 and $9.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $3 to $8, imported beer $3 to $7.5, cappuccino $4 to $5.5, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $3.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $1.32 and $3.99 per liter, averaging $2.32.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $3.99 and $5.99, with an average price of $5.05.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2.15 to $8, averaging $4.46.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $5.05 to $13.23 per kg, while oranges range from $3.99 to $8.82 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $2.2 and $2.59 per kg, and lettuce costs $2.59 to $5 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $2.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.69 and $1.29 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $20, with a cost of $5 per km.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1000 to $2300, averaging $1625.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $800 to $2000, averaging $1200.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $3000 to $3500, averaging $3166.67.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $2500 to $3200, averaging $2733.33.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $182.99 and $800, averaging $479.8.
- Internet - Internet services range from $50 to $150, with an average cost of $79.
Cost of Living Data
The following pricing data has been gathered from 12 user contributions, as of the most recent update in January, 2024.
Restaurants
Restaurants
Avg
Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$20.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$110.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$8.50
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.50
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43
Cappuccino (regular)
$5.00
Markets
Markets
Avg
Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$2.32
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$5.05
Eggs (regular) (12)
$4.46
Local Cheese (1kg)
$18.73
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.05
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$13.50
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.62
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$4.50
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$18.97
Apples (1kg)
$7.70
Oranges (1kg)
$5.73
Potato (1kg)
$2.40
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.49
Rice (white), (1kg)
$4.29
Tomato (1kg)
$5.57
Banana (1kg)
$3.88
Onion (1kg)
$4.17
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$18.27
Transportation
Transportation
Avg
Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$2.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.20
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$37,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$20.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$5.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$34,000.00
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Avg
Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$1,625.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$1,200.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$3,166.67
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$2,733.33
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg
Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$479.80
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$79.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$60.00
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Avg
Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$93.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.50
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$13.00
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Avg
Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$27.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$112.50
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$96.67
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Avg
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,705.56
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
4.45%
Childcare
Childcare
Avg
Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$400.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$18,500.00
Christiansted Cost of Living
"Key Takeaways"
Christiansted presents a moderate to high cost of living, with significant expenses in housing and utilities.
Dining out can be affordable, especially at casual restaurants, but mid-range dining is notably more expensive.
Transportation costs are relatively low, particularly for public transport and gasoline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, living in Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, offers a unique lifestyle with its own set of financial considerations.
While some costs, like dining and transportation, are manageable, housing and utilities can be quite expensive.
Prospective residents should carefully plan their budgets to accommodate these expenses and enjoy the vibrant island life.