Barbados is an idyllic island, with crystal clear waters and pristine beaches. It’s also a foodie heaven, a rum lovers paradise and has an intriguing history. It’s one of the most developed and wealthiest countries in the eastern Caribbean. Barbados’ economy is flourishing and is based on three main sectors – foreign direct investment, tourism and international business.
If you are considering moving to Barbados, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of the world.
Quick Barbados Facts:
- Population: 288,207 as of 15th November 2022 – UN worldometers est.)
- Official Language:English is the official language spoken by almost everyone on the island. Bajan, one of the native languages of Barbados, is also widely spoken in the country.
- GDP Per Capita: US$17,033.94 (2021)
- Rum: Barbados is the birthplace of rum and has around 1,500 shops that are dedicated to selling rum. Mount Gay Distilleries have been producing rum since 1703 and boast that they the oldest producers of rum in the world.
- Currency: Barbados Dollar (BBD/BDs$). As of early 2022, BDs$1 = £0.41, $0.41 (USD), €0.47, $0.66 (CAD), and $0.73 (AUD).
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Barbados
Here are some sample container shipping rates to Barbados from other countries around the world.
Also see Best International Moving Companies in Barbados
2. Barbados Housing Costs
General living costs in Barbados are high but the housing costs are more affordable. The country is the second most expensive in Latin America and more expensive than 88% of countries in the world.
Monthly Rental Prices in Barbados
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: Bds$1,000 – Bds$2,000
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: Bds$600 – Bds $1,300
- 3-bedroom apartment in City Centre: Bds$1,800 – Bds$5,488
- 3-bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: Bds$1,300 – Bds $3,000
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: Bds $3,412.16 – Bds$8,611.13
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: Bds $4,090.29 – Bds$7,000
Source: Numbeo
Barbados Housing Cost Comparison
Below are how rents in Barbados compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 42.84% more expensive
United States is 120.70% more expensive
Canada is 60.70% more expensive
Australia is 64.93% more expensive
France is 17.70% more expensive
Spain is 0.09% cheaper
Italy is 4.76% cheaper
Germany is 20.97% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Sharing a room or flat with a flatmate is a good option to save on housing costs. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect room or flatmate iroommates, freerentads, erental, roomlala, easyexpatand teraapts.
- Different areas – different prices. The most expensive part of Barbados is the west coast which is aptly named the ”Platinum Coast”. The south coast is middle of the road in terms of costs and is a good place to live. The cheapest are to live in Barbados is the East Coast.
3. Barbados Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Barbadians or Bajans have an exceptionally interesting food culture which is influenced by African, Indian, Portuguese, Creole, Irish, and British as well as indigenous traditional food cultures. The most popular dish in Barbados is cou cou (an okra and cornmeal porridge) and flying fish.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: Bds$20.00 – Bds$60.00
- Domestic beer: Bds$3.00 – Bds$10.26
- Coke/Pepsi: Bds$2.75 – Bds$4.50
- 1L of milk: Bds$4.56 – Bds$8.00
- Loaf of Bread: Bds$3.65 – Bds$8.00
- 12 Eggs: Bds$6.00 – Bds$14.40
- 1kg Chicken Fillets: Bds$12.00 – Bds$42.95
- 1kg Beef: Bds$18.00 – Bds$35.00
- 1kg Apples: Bds$2.28 – Bds$10.00
- 1kg White Rice: Bds$4.00 – Bds$11.02
Source: Numbeo
Below are how food prices and restaurants compare with other major countries in the world.
- UKrestaurants are 27% cheaper and groceries are 41.42% cheaper than in Barbados.
- United State restaurants are 02% cheaper and groceries are 11.82% cheaper than in Barbados.
- Canada restaurants are 46% cheaper and groceries are 18.98% cheaper than in Barbados.
- Australia restaurants are 93% cheaper and groceries are 12.52% more expensive than in Barbados.
- France restaurants are 13% cheaper and groceries are 21.58% cheaper than in Barbados.
- Spain restaurants are 06% cheaper and groceries are 50.68% cheaper than in Barbados.
- Italy restaurants are 30% cheaper and groceries are 37.15% cheaper than in Barbados.
- Germanyrestaurants are 62% cheaper and groceries are 39.16% cheaper than in Barbados.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: There are a lot of supermarkets and independently owned stores in Barbados. There are also some great markets to visit, selling a variety of fish and shellfish. Some of the more popular supermarkets are Hasting Farmers Market, Clifton Market, Massy Stores, A1 Supermarkets and Sunset Crest.
- Find Cheap Eats: Ask friendly locals for tips on where to eat at a reasonable price. Also, have a look at the following sites for suggestions – Trip Advisor, Totally Barbados, Wanderlog and Soul Mate Adventures
4. Barbados Alcohol Costs
Barbadians are happy people and love nothing more than getting together after work and at weekends and enjoying their rum. Good imported wines, spirits and beer are expensive but local beer and rum are very affordable.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: Bds$5.00 – Bds$12.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: Bds$3.00 – Bds$10.26
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: Bds$3.00 – Bds$6.00
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: Bds$5.00 – Bds$12.00
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: Bds$20.00 – Bds$50.00
Source: Numbeo
How to drink for less in Barbados
- Local papers, poster and flyers are a good source of information on where to drink for less.
- Most restaurants and bars in Barbados have happy hours where you can buy 2 for 1 drinks or get a substantial discount on your bar tab. Also, have a look at the following sites for more tips on where to go to save money on a night out – The Guest Books, Trip Advisor, Totally Barbados and Barbados Happy Hours.
5. Barbados Transportation Fares
Barbados is a very small island – 34 km long and 24 km wide. It has a well-constructed road network inherited from its colonial past. Government and private bus services, minibuses, taxis called ZR vans, car rentals and taxis make up the public transport sector of Barbados.
Below are examples of ticket costs in Barbados.
- One-way ticket (Local transport: Bds$3.50 – Bds$3.50
- Monthly Pass, (Regular Price): Bds$54.00 – Bds$150.00
- Taxi start (normal tariff): Bds$15.00 – BdsS$50.00
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff): Bds$3.75 – Bds$8.70
Source: Numbeo
How to save money on public transport
- Bus transport system, especially the government electric buses are the best options to save money on public transport in Barbados.
- Minibuses are the best if you want to save time as well as money.
- Renting a scooter or motorbike is another option which also gives you freedom.
6. Cost of Internet in Barbados
The internet in Barbados is excellent with one of the highest speeds in the Caribbean. Barbados has around 80% of network penetration with an internet speed of 56Mbps.
- Starlink Space X– Bds$199.84/Mo for 200 Mbit/s
- Superfast Fibre Ultra– Bds$202.79/Mo for 300 Mbit/s
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Barbados has a tropical oceanic climate with humid and hot conditions throughout the year. The average temperature in the country rarely goes above 30C or below 22C. The country has two seasons – the dry season from December to May and the wet season for the other six months of the year. The average annual rainfall in Barbados is 1,525 mm.
Below are clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans (Levi’s 501 Or Similar): Bds$85.00 – Bds$230.00
- Summer Dress: Bds$50.00 – Bds$180.00
- Running Shoes (Trainers): Bds$140.00 – Bds$400.00
- Business Shoes: Bds$110.00 – Bds$300.00
- Gym membership: Bds$100.00 – Bds$240.00
- Movie (cinema) ticket: Bds$16.00 – Bds$25.00
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): Bds$180
- Deodorant: Bds$11
- Shampoo: Bds$16
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): Bds$4.48
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Barbados
Driving a car in Barbados requires a driving permit which you can buyfrom the Barbados Licensing Authority, it costs $5 and is valid for 2 months. You need to be 21 in order to drive a car in Barbados and have had a licence for 2 years. When driving you must carry your driving licence, a Barbados permit or licence, registration and insurance documents.
Below are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Barbados:
- Volkswagen Golf:Bds$80,000.00 – Bds$100,000.00
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):Bds$3.50 – Bds$4.83
- Other fees (if any):To purchase a car in Barbados you need a valid ID, an inspection certificate, letter of sale, roadworthy certificate, insurance, etc. and it will cost between Bds$100.93 and Bds$403.73. The cost of a visitor’s permit cost for a stay longer than two months is Bds$100.
Source: Numbeo, bra.gov.bb
Ways to save money driving in Barbados
- Carpooling is not available in Barbados so most people rent cars. Try many car rental companies in the country like Trip Advisor, Kayak, Totally Barbados, Carhire andDiscover Cars.
- Taxis can be a cheaper option for short trips, especially if you are parking all day. Since Uber and Lyft are not operating in Barbados, try apps to register taxis through The St Kitts Nevis Observerand taxi companies like Find Yellow.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Barbados? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping
9. Taxes in Barbados
Barbados has recently revised its income tax rates and now charges 12.5% on the first Bds$50,000 earned with a top rate of 28.5%. For details refer to Tax Summaries.
If you own a property and want to sell it, you will have to pay 2.5% of the value of the property in tax. Have a look at Barbados Dream Properties for more information.
10. Flight Costs from Barbados
If you do make the move to Barbados, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of 2022:
- London: Bds$1,231
- Paris: Bds$1,221
- Berlin: Bds$1,421
- New York: Bds$891
- Los Angeles: Bds$1,126
- Toronto: Bds$933
- Dubai: Bds$2,507
- Sydney: Bds$4,411
- Cape Town: Bds$2,347
- Hong Kong: Bds$2,875
Other Barbados Relocation Tips
The above costs and pricing should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Barbados. But perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Barbados Alone
Moving abroad is always stressful but moving alone can be exceptionally difficult. However, the atmosphere in Barbados and the friendly people will help you ease into your new life. Below are a few tips about settling in Barbados.
- Meetups:Connect with many groups in Barbados through Meetup to participate in a wide range of activities.
- Attend local events: Barbadians/Bajans are sociable people and love gatherings, events, and festivals. Find events and festivals to fully immerse yourself in the Bajan culture. Have a look at these sites for inspiration – Visit Barbados, Barbados,World Festivals, I explore and Trip Advisor.
12. Moving to Barbados with a Family
Barbados is a great place for families. Its relaxed lifestyle and welcoming people all help families settle quickly in paradise.
- New parents (or parents-to-be):Join different groups like Mummy & Me, Mothers’ Union, British Expats, and Summer Mom Groups for advice, courses and ways to meet other parents or parents-to-be.
- Live in a family-friendly area:Living in a family-friendly should come first when you move to a new place. So, try to find suitable housing in places like Elizabeth Park, Pine Garden, Highgate garden, Fort George Heights, Dover, Worthing, and Blue Waters, which are popular family-friendly areas in Barbados. Have a look at Barbados Expat Homes for an in depth look at the various areas in Barbados.
- Find things to do with the kids:Barbados has many things for children. Have a look at the following websites for inspiration – Family Destination Guide, Trip Advisor, Pint Size Pilot and Families Love Travel
13. Moving to Barbados for Work
Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. You may want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews.
Jobs can mainly be found in tourism, international banking, agribusiness, telecommunications, entrepreneurship and teaching as well as other sectors.
If you are moving to Barbados for work, then consider the following:
- Salary: Minimum wage is Bds$8.50 per hour. Salaries differ considerably, depending on your profession. You can check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor, Paylab and Salary Explorer.
- How to find work: Have a look at the following sites to see what jobs are available in Barbados – LinkedIn, Barbados, Visa Hunter, Expat Focusand Caribbean Jobs.
14. Moving to Barbados from Australia
There is a good number of Australian expats living in Barbados. If you are moving from Australia to Barbados and want to meet fellow Australians, consider the following.
- Size comparison:Australia is 18,003 times bigger than the island of Barbados. The population of Australia is 25,890,773 whereas the population of Barbados is only 288,207.
- Join expat groups: Connect with fellow Australians in Barbados through MeetUp, Internationsand Facebook.
15. Moving to Barbados from Canada
There are a few Canadians living in Barbados. If you are moving from Canada to Barbados, consider the following.
- Size:Canada is 23,220 times bigger than Barbados. The population of Canada is 38,929,902 whereas the population of Barbados is 288,207.
- Expat groups:Connect with fellow Canadians in Barbados through MeetUp and Internations.
16. Moving to Barbados from the United Kingdom
There are approximately 27,000 Brits living in Barbados. If you are moving there and want to meet fellow Brits, consider the following:
- Size: The UK is 567 times bigger than Barbados. The population of the UK is 68,730,050 whereas the population of Barbados is 288,207.
- Expat groups:Connect with fellow Brits in Barbados through MeetUp and Internations.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Barbados you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
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