Plan your move
Cost of living
Barbados is expensive by regional standards, and electricity is the bill that surprises most people. Here's what we can verify, and a calculator to test your own numbers.
What things cost
Rent
There's no official rent index. One crowd-sourced estimate puts a central Bridgetown one-bedroom at about BBD $2,367 a month, but it rests on very few entries. West coast parishes cost substantially more. View several places and compare in person.
Groceries
Much of the food is imported, so imported brands cost more. Local markets and fish markets help. No reliable itemised price list exists, so price a typical weekly shop on a scouting trip.
Electricity
Supplied by Barbados Light & Power. The monthly fuel charge is often larger than the base energy charge, and air conditioning pushes bills up fast. Newcomers who aren't citizens or permanent residents pay a security deposit.
Transport
Buses are cheap at a flat BBD $3.50 (about US$1.75). Cars are expensive to buy and insure, so get quotes before you budget for one.
Healthcare
Most newcomers use private GPs and pay for health insurance. See Healthcare & insurance.
Schooling
Public school is free for eligible students. Private and international fees vary widely, so ask each school for its fee schedule. See Schools & families.
Plan your monthly budget
Enter your own estimates in Barbados dollars. The total updates as you type.
Monthly total
BBD 0
About USD 0 a month
BBD 0 a year