The Cayman Islands are a self-governing British overseas territory in the Caribbean, comprising of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. The Cayman Islands are expensive but the crystal clear water, white sandy beaches and the relaxing lifestyle attract people from all over the world both as tourists and residents. There are people from over 130 different countries living in Cayman.
If you are considering moving to the Cayman Islands, 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 Cayman Islands Facts:
- Population: 67,516 (2022 estimate)
- Official Language:
- GDP Per Capita: US$86,568.76 USD (2021)
- Turtles: Christopher Columbus discovered the Cayman Islands and named the territory “Las Tortugas” after the large number of turtles on the islands.
- Currency: Cayman Islands Dollar (CI$/KYD). As of 2023, $1 (KYD) is £1.04, $1.20 (USD), €1.21, $1.62 (CAD), and $1.86 (AUD).
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Cayman Islands
Here are some sample international container shipping costs to the Cayman Islands from other countries around the world.
Destination Country (Port/City) | 20FT | 40FT |
---|---|---|
Andorra (Andorra la Vella) | 1868 | 3171 |
Argentina (Buenos Aires) | 3728 | 4313 |
Australia (Sydney) | N/A | 12406 |
Austria (Vienna) | N/A | 3739 |
Bahrain (Manama) | N/A | 12306 |
Belgium (Antwerp) | 2643 | 4077 |
Belize (Belize City) | 2448 | 2804 |
Brazil (Santos) | 3728 | 4327 |
Cambodia (Sihanoukville) | 7606 | 8276 |
China (Beijing) | 6757 | 7134 |
China (Shanghai) | 6696 | 7077 |
Germany (Hamburg) | 2643 | 4077 |
Greece (Piraeus) | 4664 | 8058 |
Guernsey (St Peter Port) | 3704 | 5620 |
Hong Kong (Hong Kong) | 6696 | 7077 |
Indonesia (Jakarta) | 7295 | 7762 |
Isle of Man (Douglas) | 3718 | 5641 |
Jersey (St Helier) | 3704 | 5620 |
Luxembourg (Luxembourg) | 2639 | 4071 |
Malaysia (Port Kelang) | 7354 | 7762 |
Netherlands (Rotterdam) | 2643 | 4077 |
Philippines (Manila) | 7438 | 7933 |
Russia (Saint Petersburg) | 2087 | 3243 |
Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) | 4098 | 5198 |
Singapore (Singapore) | 7295 | 7704 |
South Korea (Busan) | 7295 | 7704 |
Spain (Valencia) | 12974 | 17177 |
Taiwan (Kaohsiung) | 6696 | 7077 |
Thailand (Laem Chabang) | 7295 | 7933 |
UAE (Jebel Ali) | 4098 | 5198 |
UK (London) | 2756 | 2774 |
US (Los Angeles) | 912 | 1309 |
US (New York) | 2624 | 1937 |
Vietnam (Saigon) | 7295 | 7704 |
2. Cayman Islands Housing Costs
Renting and buying property in the Cayman Islands is expensive. However, unlike many countries in the Caribbean, housing is well built and thoughtfully designed. There’s a good selection of villas and apartments throughout the islands but, due to lack of space, apartments are more common.
Monthly Rental Prices in Cayman Islands
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: CI$1,500 – CI$3,000
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: CI$1,200 – CI$2,000
- 3-bedroom apartment in City Centre: $3,000 – CI$5,500
- 3-bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: CI$2,000 – CI$3,800
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: CI$5,381.96 – CI$35,000
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: CI$3,767.37 – CI$6,500
Source: Numbeo
Cayman Islands Housing Cost Comparison
Below are how rents in the Cayman Islands compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 60.66% cheaper
United States is 37.11% cheaper
Canada is 55.30% cheaper
Australia is 54.85% cheaper
France is 68.01% cheaper
Spain is 72.67% cheaper
Italy is 74.05% cheaper
Germany is 66.96% cheaper
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Sharing accommodation with a flatmate or roommate is one of the best options for saving on housing costs. Have a look at the following websites – Cayman Roommates, Trip Advisor, Caymanpal, Iroommate and Roomlala.
- Different areas – different prices. If you’re working in the Cayman Islands then you’ll probably need to be near one of the large centres which translates to expensive rental and purchase prices. Seven Mile Beach and George Town are very expensive whereas the West Bay is more affordable, but still expensive. Similarly, the north side of the Grand Cayman – Rum Point, Old Man Bay, Cayman Kai, and the small villages in the east are more affordable.
3. Cayman Islands Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
The Cayman Islands offers a wide variety of food options, from local Caymanian food to international cuisine of a very high standard. Pre-COVID, over 550,000 day tourists arrived annually by cruise ship in George Town. Restaurants, bars and clubs are everywhere trying to draw in as many tourists as possible.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: CI$10.00 – CI53.97
- Domestic beer: CI$4.80 – CI$7.20
- Coke/Pepsi: CI$1.50 – CI$2.40
- 1L of milk: CI$1.90 – CI$6.00
- Loaf of Bread: CI$3.60 – CI$7.18
- 12 Eggs: CI$3.30 – CI$7.20
- 1kg Chicken Fillets: CI$4.32 – CI$10.79
- 1kg Beef: CI$7.93 – CI$14.39
- 1kg Apples: CI$2.27 – CI$8.39
- 1kg White Rice: CI$1.80 – CI$9.59
Source: Numbeo
Below is how restaurants and food prices compare with other countries in the world.
- UK restaurants are 32% cheaper and groceries are 49.64% cheaper in the Cayman Islands.
- United States restaurants are 34% cheaper and groceries are 21.86% cheaper than in the Cayman Islands.
- Canadian restaurants are 62% cheaper and groceries are 29.78% cheaper than in the Cayman.
- Australian restaurants are 34% cheaper and groceries are 25.69% cheaper than in the Cayman Islands
- French restaurants are 08% cheaper and groceries are 33.56% cheaper than in the Cayman Islands
- Spanish restaurants are 51% cheaper and groceries are 58.13% cheaper than in the Cayman Islands
- Italian restaurants are 11% cheaper and groceries are 46.84% cheaper than in the Cayman Islands.
- Germanrestaurants are 06% cheaper and groceries are 48.37% cheaper than in the Cayman Islands
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Cayman Islands has many independently owned grocery stores plus the usual supermarket chains. There are also farmers’ markets and shops which sell health foods and organic foods. Popular supermarkets in the Cayman Islands are Kirk Market, Hurley’s Supermarket, and Foster’s.
- Find Cheap Eats:Keep an eye on the locals to know where they go for cheap eats. Have a look at the following websites for ideas on where to find cheap eats in the Cayman Islands – Trip Advisor, Cayman Resident, Wanderlog, Our Travel Binder, and Trek Caribbean.
4. Cayman Islands Alcohol Costs
Alcohol is part of the Cayman experience and is one the draw cards for tourists. Rum, like all Caribbean countries, is distilled in Cayman and there’s a good variety to choose from. There’s even an annual cocktail week in October where there are special cocktail events, and the restaurants offer cocktail paired fine dining experiences.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: CI$6.00 – CI$9.59
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: CI$4.80 – CI$7.20
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: CI$1.50 – CI$4.80
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: CI$3.30 – CI$7.20
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: CI$17.99 – CI$30.00
Source: Numbeo
How to drink for less in Cayman Islands
- Websites, local papers and flyers often give information about where and when drinks at a cheaper price are available.
- Bars and restaurants in the Cayman Islands frequently offer happy hours, especially when the cruise ships arrive. Have a look at the following sites for bars and restaurants that have regular happy hours – City Plugged Cayman, Bite Club Cayman, Cayman Good Taste, STEPS, and ABACUS.
5. Cayman Islands Transportation Fares
The public bus service is frequent and reliable. You can generally get on a bus wherever you choose just by waving down the driver. Ferries between the islands are also a common and very reliable mode of transport.
Below are some example ticket costs.
- One-way ticket (Local transport): CI$2.00
- Monthly Pass Regular Price): CI$15.00
- Taxi start (normal tariff): CI$9.59 – CI$21.59
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff): CI$1.49 – CI$1.49
Source: Numbeo
How to save money on public transport
- Buy a daily, weekly or monthly season ticket for buses and ferries
- Scooters and bicycles, especially the electric scooters and bikes, are available for rent and very popular with tourists and residents alike
6. Cost of Internet in Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands has excellent reliable and fast internet services.
- Digicel Cayman post-paid – $366/Mo for 512 Kbit/s
- Starlink SpaceX– $99/Mo for 200 Mbit/s.
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
The Cayman Islands have a tropical climate, with warm weather all year round. The average annual temperature is 28C with July usually bringing the highest temperatures of around 31C. January is the coldest month where the temperature is usually around 23C. The rainy season lasts from May until October with September and October being the wettest months. The annual rainfall is around 1,500mm.
Below are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: CI$39.80 – CI$64.67
- Summer Dress: CI$39.80 – CI$149.23
- Running Shoes (Trainers): CI$94.51 – CI$164.15
- Business Shoes: CI$44.77 – CI$198.97
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): CI$110.52
- Deodorant: CI$7.96
- Shampoo: CI$4.98
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): CI$4.98
- Gym membership: CI$18.90 – CI$79.59 per month
- Movie (cinema) ticket: CI$11.94 – CI$14.92
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in the Cayman Islands
There are more cars in the Cayman Islands than people. Buying a car is a simple process – see links below. You can drive on your own country’s driving licence for up to six months, after which you’ll need to get a Cayman driving licence. The roads in the Cayman Islands are well maintained with some dual carriageways. It only takes two hours to drive the whole way round Grand Cayman
Below are other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Cayman Islands:
- Volkswagen Golf:CI$30,000
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol): $1.10 – CI$1.86
- Other fees (if any):The monthly cost of owning and running a small four seater car in the Cayman Islands is around CI$250 per month.
Source: Numbeo, DVDL.Gov.ky,
Ways to save money driving in Cayman Islands
- Car sharing or pooling is one of the best options to save money. Try Flex and Zuncar.
- Taxis are sometimes a convenient option – Cayman Resident and Find Yello.
Need your car/vehicle moved to the Cayman Islands? Then read our guide to: Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping
9. Taxes in Cayman Islands
There’s no income tax, property tax or VAT in the Cayman Islands.
10. Flight Costs from Cayman Islands
If you do make the move to the Cayman Islands, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other countries based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of 2023:
- London: CI$293
- Paris: CI$310
- New York: CI$103
- Toronto: CI$149
- Madrid: CI$311
- Sydney: CI$790
- Berlin: CI$299
- Rome: CI$307
Other Cayman Islands Relocation Tips
The above costs and pricing should give you a good idea of the cost of living in the Cayman Islands. But perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Cayman Islands Alone
Moving abroad is stressful but moving alone can be exceptionally difficult. The relaxed and holiday like atmosphere of the Cayman Islands will allow you to settle quickly. Below are a few tips about settling in the Cayman Islands.
- Meetups:Joining Meetup groups that offer activities you’re interested in is a great way to meet new people.
- Attend local events: Caymanians are an international community who enjoy sea related activities and partying. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Travel Triangle, I Explore, Explore Cayman, Frommers, and Visit Cayman Islands.
12. Moving to Cayman Islands with a Family
Moving abroad with a family can be challenging. If you are moving to the Cayman Islands with a family, consider the following.
- New parents (or parents-to-be):Join groups such Cayman Parent, Facebook, Cayman Resident and KY Mommies to meet new parents or parents to be so you can share experiences and get support if you need it.
- Live in a family-friendly area:Most of the Cayman Islands are family-friendly, including Camana Bay, East End, Cayman Kai, North Side and Rum Point.
- Find things to do with the kids:Cayman Islands has so many things to keep the kids happy. Have a look at the following websites for inspiration – Trip Advisor, Travel Triangle, Lajollamom, Inspirock, and Visit Cayman Islands.
13. Moving to Cayman Islands for Work
Moving to a new county 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.
The main sectors for employment in the Cayman Islands are law, accountancy, banking, tourism, hospitality and retail.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary:The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea, how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. Have a look at Paylab and Payscale for information on what salary you can expect in the Cayman Islands.
- How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to the Cayman Islands, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: LinkedIn, Cayman Resident, We-Expats, Visa Hunter, and Internations. 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 Cayman Islands from Australia
There’s a small contingent of Australians living in the Cayman Islands. If you are moving from Australia to the Cayman Islands and want to meet fellow Australians, consider the following.
- Size comparison:Australia is 29,323 bigger than the Cayman Islands. The population of Australia is 25,739,000 and the Cayman Islands’ population is only 67,516.
- Join expat groups: Connect with other Australians in the Cayman Islands throughMeetUp, Internations and Facebook.
15. Moving to Cayman Islands from Canada
There’s a small group of Canadians living and working in the Cayman Islands. If you are considering moving to the Cayman Islands and want to meet fellow Canadians, consider the following.
- Size:Canada is 37,821 times bigger than the Cayman Islands. The population of Canada is 38,246,000 and the Cayman Islands’ population is only 67,516.
- Expat groups:Connect with other Canadians in the Cayman Islands through MeetUp and Internations.
16. Moving to Cayman Islands from the United Kingdom
There are over 1,500 Brits living and working in the Cayman Islands. If you are considering moving from the UK to the Cayman Islands and want to meet fellow Brits, consider the following.
- Size: The UK is 923 times bigger than the Cayman Islands. The population of the UK is 67,327,000 and the Cayman Islands’ population is only 67,516.
- Expat groups:Connect with other Brits in the Cayman Islands 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 the Cayman Islands you can start by comparing moving quotes here.