Antigua and Barbuda is a beautiful country located where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet. The two islands, and several smaller ones, offer stunning beaches, turquoise waters and a laid-back lifestyle that attracts visitors from all over the world.
If you are considering moving to Antigua and Barbuda, 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 Antigua and Barbuda Facts:
- Population: 100,048 (2023 estimate)
- Official Language:The official language of Antigua and Barbuda is English. However, you’ll also hear a lot of Antiguan Creole spoken on the islands.
- GDP Per Capita: US$16,786.94
- Mount Obama: Antigua’s highest peak was named after President Obama in 2009 in celebration of him becoming President of the US.
- Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD); 1XCD = 0.37USD. 1XCD = 0.51CAD, 1XCD = 0.58AUD, 1XCD = £0.30, 1XCD = €0.35
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Antigua and Barbuda
Here are some sample container shipping rates to Antigua and Barbuda from other countries around the world.
2. Antigua and Barbuda Housing Costs
There’s a wide range of housing options available in Antigua and Barbuda, from luxury villas, houses townhouses to penthouses and more modest apartments.
Monthly Rental Prices in Antigua and Barbuda
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: XCD2,700
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: XCD2,000
- 3 bedroom apartment in City Centre: XCD5,000
- 3 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: XCD3,250
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: XCD5,158+
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: XCD2,113+
Antigua and Barbuda Housing Cost Comparison
This is how rents in Antigua and Barbuda compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 11.5% more expensive
United States is 70.5% more expensive
Canada is 24.1% more expensive
Australia is 46.9% more expensive
France is 12.5% cheaper
Germany is 5.6% cheaper
Spain is 20.5% cheaper
Italy is 26.2% cheaper
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect room or flat mate and reduce your housing costs: iRoommate, Roomster and Erasmusu.
- Different areas – different prices. Affordable housing can be found outside of the capital, St. John’s. If you’re looking for a more rural setting, there are plenty of homes available on the smaller islands of Barbuda and Redonda.
3. Antigua and Barbuda Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
The food in Antigua and Barbuda is a mix of Caribbean and international cuisine. There’s an abundance of seafood and fresh vegetables. The national dish is fungee, a cornmeal pudding that is usually served with saltfish. Other popular dishes include dukuna (a fried dumpling), conch fritters and johnnycakes (a type of fried bread). Restaurants are of a high standard due to the number of cruise ships that visit the islands.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: XCD25 – XCD34
- Takeout Coffee: XCD12 – XCD17
- Bottle of Coke: XCD6 – XCD12
- 1L of milk: XCD5 – XCD6.50
- Loaf of Bread: XCD4– XCD8.82
- 12 Eggs: 20 – XCD21.60
- 1kg Chicken: XCD12 – XCD22.05
- 1kg Beef: 27– XCD45
- 1kg Apples: XCD15 – XCD33
- 1kg White Rice: XCD3 – XCD15
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major countries around the world.
- UK restaurants are 7.5% more expensive and groceries are
- 8% cheaper than Antigua and Barbuda.
- US restaurants are 13.6% more expensive and groceries are 2.7% cheaper than Antigua and Barbuda.
- Canadian restaurants are 1.6% more expensive and groceries are 10.9% cheaper than Antigua and Barbuda.
- Australian restaurants are 17.4% more expensive and groceries are 4% more expensive than Antigua and Barbuda.
- French restaurants are 6.4% more expensive and groceries are 11.5% cheaper than Antigua and Barbuda.
- German restaurants are 10.8% cheaper and groceries are 29.7% cheaper than Antigua and Barbuda.
- Spanish restaurants are 18.4% more expensive and groceries are 43.6% cheaper than Antigua and Barbuda.
- Italian restaurants are 2% cheaper and groceries are 29% cheaper than Antigua and Barbuda.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Antigua and Barbuda has many independently owned grocery stores as well as the usual supermarket chains. There are also farmers’ markets and shops that stock a good range health foods and organic foods. Popular supermarkets in Antigua and Barbuda are Epicurean Fine Foods and Pharmacy, Covent Garden Supermarket and First Choice Foods.
- Find Cheap Eats:Street food is a good option as it’s great value and of a high standard. Alternatively look at the following websites to find cheap eats in Antigua and Barbuda – TripAdvisor, Trek Caribbean and
4. Antigua and Barbuda Alcohol Costs
Antigua and Barbuda, like all Caribbean islands are well known for their rum. The Antigua distillery started distilling Cavalier rum in 1934, using the molasses by product of muscovado sugar. Locally brewed Wadadli beer is the preferred lager in Antigua and Barbuda. No matter where you choose to enjoy a drink, there’ll be a great selection of cocktails, most of which use rum as a base.
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: XCD5.00 – XCD15.00
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: XCD8.00 – XCD11.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: XCD3.00 – XCD15.00
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: XCD5.00 – XCD8.00
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: XCD20.00 – XCD35.00
How to drink for less in Antigua and Barbuda
- Keep an eye online and in the local papers and flyers for advertised cheap drinks in supermarkets, bars, clubs and restaurants.
- Many bars and restaurants have early evening happy hours where you can buy two drinks for the price of one. Have a look at the following sites for ideas of where to spend an evening – Trip Advisor, City Seeker and The Antiguan.
5. Antigua and Barbuda Transportation Fares
Antigua has bus routes, but the service is fairly unreliable. Taxis are the most commonly used mode of transport, but they are expensive as the taxis don’t have metres and taxi drivers seem to charge what they want.
The Barbuda Express will take you on the three hour journey from Antigua to Barbuda. This runs five days a week. Water taxis are also available to take you round the islands.
Car hire is expensive and includes $50 for a compulsory local driving licence.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- Adult Single – XCD2.75
- One day ticket – XCD4.06
- Monthly season ticket, unlimited – XCD86.25
How to save money on public transport
- Buy a weekly ticket XCD23.77 for 7 days of unlimited travel
- Hire a bike
- Walking is also an option
6. Cost of Internet in Antigua and Barbuda
Broadband in Antigua and Barbuda is on the expensive side, with prices averaging at EC$150.00 per month for 60Mbps (unlimited data, cable/fibre). The most popular ISPs on the island include:
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Antigua and Barbuda enjoy a tropical climate with two distinct seasons. The wet season stretches from June to November, with an average rainfall of 1,250mm and dry. The dry season lasts from December to May, with very little rainfall.
Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: XCD120 – XCD250
- Summer Dress: XCD65 – XCD135
- Running Shoes (Trainers): XCD120 – XCD230
- Business Shoes: XCD130 – XCD270
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): XCD194
- Deodorant: XCD7.78
- Shampoo: XCD32
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): XCD13
- Gym membership: XCD33 – XCD90 per month
- Movie (cinema) ticket: XCD17 – XCD29
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Antigua and Barbuda
You’ll need a local licence if you intend to drive in Antigua and Barbuda. If you’re hiring a car, the car hire company will organise it when you collect your car. If not, head to the nearest police station and they will quickly supply you with a local licence.
There are a limited number of cars for sale in Antigua and Barbuda, but they are expensive. You can import a vehicle, new or used, but there’s a lot of red tape to negotiate and up to 60% duty to be paid.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Antigua and Barbuda:
- Volkswagen Golf:XCD64,000
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):XCD3.07
- Other fees (if any): The average monthly cost of owning and running a compact 4 seater car in Antigua and Barbuda is XCD925 which includes depreciation, tax, insurance and average fuel usage.
Source: Expatistan and Numbeo
Ways to save money driving in Antigua and Barbuda
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Car Pool World and Desert Cart.
- Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you plan to park all day.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Antigua and Barbuda? Then read our guide: Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping
9. Taxes in Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda abolished personal income tax in 2016, hoping to attract investors at same rate as their Caribbean neighbours. There’s also no capital gains tax, wealth tax or inheritance tax. There no income tax on worldwide income or assets.
VAT is currently 15% on most goods and services, except for hospitality and restaurants which sits at 14%. Property tax ranges from 0.2% to 0.5%. Stamp duty costs the seller 7% of the property’s value and 2.5% for the buyer. Have a look at Global Citizen Solutions for a detailed analysis of the tax system in Antigua and Barbuda.
10. Flight Costs from Antigua and Barbuda
If you do make the move to Antigua and Barbuda, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:
- London: XCD1,320
- New York: XCD410
- Toronto: XCD403
- Sydney: XCD3,288
- Paris: XCD1,469
- Berlin: XCD1,422
- Rome: XCD1,320
- Madrid: XCD1,370
Other Antigua and Barbuda Relocation Tips
The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Antigua and Barbuda Alone
Moving is always a stressful and moving on your own can be even more so. The holiday atmosphere of Antigua and Barbuda and it’s welcoming residents will ensure that you settle quickly.
Here are a few tips about settling in Antigua and Barbuda.
- Meetups:Antigua and Barbuda has many Antigua and Barbuda groups covering a wide range of activities from surfing and yachting to playing golf and bridge.
- Attend local events: There is always something going on in Antigua and Barbuda and many of the activities are free. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Trip Advisor, Antigua Newsroom, Planetware and iExplore.
12. Moving to Antigua and Barbuda with a Family
Antigua and Barbuda is perfect for families. It’s safe and has some of the world’s best beaches and water sports available for kids of most ages.
- New parents (or parents to be): Contact your High Commission or Embassy for information on groups for new parents or parents to be. Alternatively, ask at the various expat clubs on the islands.
- Live in a family friendly area:Most areas in Antigua and Barbuda are family friendly. The west coast, from St. Johns to the English Harbour, experiences calmer seas and easy access to the beaches compared with the east coast. Barbuda is more rural than Antigua, so if that’s what you enjoy and your job allows, then it’s a more affordable alternative to Antigua.
- Find things to do with the kids:Antigua and Barbuda has lots for children to do. Have a look at the following website for inspiration – Trip Advisor, A Modern Mother and Family Destinations Guide.
13. Moving to Antigua and Barbuda 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.
Antigua and Barbuda is a big tourist destination, particularly for the cruise industry. As such, it employs many people in the service industry – hotels, restaurants, bars, cruise ships and the airport.
Other job possibilities exist in retail, education, healthcare, logistics, finance and the legal profession.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary:The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Antigua and Barbuda, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start – Caribbean Jobs, We-xpats, Snap Hunt and You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Antigua and Barbuda from Australia
There is a small Aussie contingent living in Antigua and Barbuda. If you are thinking of moving from Australia to Antigua and Barbuda, here are a few things to consider.
- Size comparison:If you look at the population of Antigua and Barbuda and compare it with cities in Australia, it is slightly bigger than Launceston.
- Join expat groups:Meetup, InterNations and Facebook offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Antigua and Barbuda.
15. Moving to Antigua and Barbuda from Canada
There are a comparatively large number of Canadians living in Antigua and Barbuda. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.
- Size:If you compare the population size of Antigua and Barbuda with a city in Canada, then it would be slightly bigger than Pickering.
- Expat groups:Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Link up through sites such as InterNations, Facebook and Meetup.
16. Moving to Antigua and Barbuda from the United Kingdom
The climate and way of life in Antigua and Barbuda attracts people from the UK, so if you’re considering joining them, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: Looking at the population size of Antigua and Barbuda, it equates to the population of Solihull in the UK.
- Expat groups:If you want to get together with others from the UK who are enjoying the sunshine, then go to Meetup, Facebook 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 Antigua and Barbuda you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
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