Key Cost of Living Data
| Category | Index | Est. USD | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 78.0 | 22% cheaper than NYC | Expensive |
| Rent (1-bed city) | 50.0 | $1,600/mo/mo est. | Moderate |
| Groceries | 78.0 | $330/mo/mo est. | Expensive |
| Restaurants | 68.0 | $14/meal est. | Moderate |
| Local Purch. Power | 0 | ×1.28 expat stretch | |
| GNI per Capita | $49.4k | World Bank PPP | |
| Inflation Rate | 2.8% | Annual 2026 |
Housing & Rent
Rent in Bahamas is below the NYC baseline (Rent Index 50.0). A 1-bedroom apartment in a major city centre costs around $1,600/month, dropping to $1,050/month outside the centre. Three-bedroom apartments typically run $2,750+/month centrally.
| Type | USD / month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed, city centre | $1,600/mo | Capital city avg. |
| 1-bed, suburbs | $1,050/mo | Outside centre |
| 3-bed, city centre | $2,750/mo | Family / shared |
| Utilities (85m²) | $115/mo | Electricity, gas, water |
Food & Dining
Food in Bahamas is reasonably priced. An inexpensive restaurant meal costs around $14/person; a mid-range dinner for two runs $108. Monthly grocery spending for one person averages $330.
| Item | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $14 | Per person |
| Meal for 2, mid-range | $54 | 3-course |
| Monthly groceries (single) | $330/mo | Estimated |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $1.95 | Local brand |
| Coffee / espresso | $2.73 | Local café |
Transport
A monthly public transport pass in Bahamas costs roughly $105. Taxis and ride-hailing are moderately priced, making day-to-day mobility manageable for most expats.
| Type | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass | $78/mo | Public transport |
| Taxi per km | $1.56/km | Avg. rate |
| Petrol (1L) | $1.25/L | Regular fuel |
| Internet speed | 63.0 Mbps | Good |
Healthcare & Quality of Life
Key Insight
Bahamas has a GNI per capita of $49.4k (PPP) against a CoL Index of 78.0. Cost and income levels are broadly aligned with regional peers. Current inflation is moderate at 2.8%, keeping costs relatively stable.
Our Verdict for Bahamas
Bahamas hits a practical sweet spot at CoL 78.0: meaningful savings versus NYC without sacrificing quality of life. Reasonable rents and food costs make it a strong relocation candidate.
Best for
- Expats seeking balance of cost and comfort
- Professionals relocating from high-cost cities
May not suit
- Remote workers on tight budgets — costs still add up
Free resource
Planning a move to Bahamas?
Get our Expat Budget Calculator — personalised monthly cost estimate for your lifestyle and city.
Monthly Budget Estimates
Monthly Budget Estimator
Cost of living in —
Country vs Region Average
Regional cost comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Comparisons