Moving to the Turks & Caicos Islands? 2024 Living Costs

Turks and Caicos is part of the Caribbean culture but contrary to popular opinion, the islands are situated in the Atlantic Ocean not the Caribbean. There are over forty islands and cays with white sand beaches and surrounded by crystal clear turquoise water. The islands have some of the finest hotels and spas in the world, offering fine dining, great wines and an incredibly relaxing atmosphere where you can spend your free time.

If you are considering moving to Turks and Caicos, 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 Turks and Caicos Islands Facts:

Population: 57,438 (2022 estimate)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita:US$24,047.05 (2021)
Humpback Whale Migration: January to March sees the humpback whales pass by the islands on their way from Canada to the Dominican Republicwhere they mate and calve.
Currency: United States Dollar (USD/$). As of 2022, $1= £0.81, $1.34 (CAD), €0.95, $1.46 (AUD).

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to the Turks and Caicos Islands

Here are sample international container shipping rates to Turks and Caicos Islands:

Destination Country (Port/City)	20FT	40FT
Andorra (Andorra la Vella)	$1,450	$1,900
Australia (Sydney)	N/A	$12,406
Austria (Vienna)	$6,640	$7,951
Bahrain (Manama)	N/A	$12,306
Belize (Belize City)	$2,090	$2,809
Brazil (Santos)	$2,090	$2,809
Cambodia (Sihanoukville)	$7,606	$8,276
China (Beijing)	$6,757	$7,134
China (Shanghai)	$6,696	$7,077
Gibraltar	$4,178	$5,933
Guernsey (St Peter Port)	$2,846	$2,953
Hong Kong (Hong Kong)	$6,696	$7,077
Indonesia (Jakarta)	$7,295	$7,762
Luxembourg	$3,940	$5,490
UAE (Jebel Ali)	$6,276	$6,943
US (Los Angeles)	$912	$1,309
US (New York)	$2,624	$1,937

2. The Turks and Caicos Islands Housing Costs

Turks and Caicos has a booming property market, particularly at the luxury end. Property prices are high but, as there is no property tax, many retirees, particularly from the US, choose to buy in the area. Anyone from any country can buy land and property in Turks and Caicos. The smaller, less populated islands are generally more affordable than the larger islands.

Monthly Rental Prices in the Turks and Caicos Islands

1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: $1,000.00 – $1,800.00
1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: $800.00 – $1,600.00
3-bedroom apartment in City Centre: $2,500.00 – $4,000.00
3-bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: $2,500.00 – $4,500.00
-Price per square meter (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $1,000.00 – $1,500.00
Price per square meter (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $2,152.78 – $3,500.00

Source: Numbeo

Turks and Caicos Housing Cost Comparison

Below are how rents in Turks and Caicos compare with other countries around the globe.

United Kingdom is 42.00% cheaper
United States is 12.60% cheaper
Canada is 37.24% cheaper
Australia is 32.90% cheaper
France is 52.89% cheaper
Spain is 59.98% cheaper
Italy is 62.03% cheaper
Germany is 51.56% 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 flatmate: Roomlala and Erasmusu.
Different areas – different prices. Turks and Caicos’ most popular islands are Grand Turk, South Caicos, North Caicos, Parrot Cay, Pine Cay, West Caicos, Providenciales, East Caicos and Ambergris Cay. All have something different to offer. Providenciales is the most popular island with tourists and expats.

3. Turks and Caicos Islands Food, Grocery, and Restaurant Costs

Seafood obviously features heavily on restaurant menus and on supermarket shelves. There is a distinct Caribbean influence found in most restaurants and in the street food and markets. That said, there are restaurants to suit everyone’s palate. Prices are high but so is the quality.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $15.00 – $80.00
Domestic beer: $3.00 – $7.00
Coke/Pepsi: $2.00 – $4.00
1L of milk: $1.32 – $6.00
Loaf of Bread: $4.00 – $7.50
12 Eggs: $2.00 – $4.00
1kg Chicken Fillets: $10.00 – $20.00
1kg Beef: $8.00 – $12.00
1kg Apples: $2.00 – $4.00
1kg White Rice: $3.31 – $12.00

Source: Numbeo and Hikersbay

Below is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major countries in the world.

UKrestaurants are 14% cheaper and groceries prices are also lower.
US restaurants are 94% lower and groceries are also lower in price.
Canadian restaurants are 69% lower and groceries are also lower in price.
Australian restaurants are21% lower and groceries are also lower in price.
French restaurants are 07% lower and groceries are also lower in price.
Spanish restaurants are 88% lower and groceries are also lower in price.
Italian restaurants are 56% lower and groceries are also lower in price.
German restaurants are 88% lower and groceries are also lower in price.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries

Know your supermarkets: There’s a good selection of supermarkets, independently owned grocery stores and ethnic stores as well as the Laiki Agora or the street markets in Turks and Caicos. Popular supermarkets in The Turks And Caicos Islands are Graceway Supermarkets, Graceway Gourmet, Quality, and Max Mini Mart.
Find Cheap Eats:Keep an eye on the locals to see where they go for cheap eats. Also, have a look at the following sites for suggestions – Trip Advisor, Turks And Caicos, Corks and Tacos, Wanderlog, and Afar.

4. Turks and Caicos Islands Alcohol Costs

Like everything in the Turks and Caicos Islands, alcohol is expensive both in the shops and in bars and restaurants. There’s an excellent selection of alcoholic drinks, most of which are obviously imported. And, like all countries that have a Caribbean influence, the islanders distil their own rum – Bambarra rum.

Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $5.00 – $8.00
Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $3.00 – $7.00
Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.00 – $4.00
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $3.00 – $5.00
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $5.00 – $20.00

Source: Numbeo

How to drink for less in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Have a look online for tips on where to find cheaper bars or supermarkets that have alcohol on special. You can also look in local newspapers and magazines.
Many restaurants, bars and clubs have happy hours where they’ll serve drinks at half price at certain times of the day, usually late afternoon and early evening. Have a look at the following sites for more tips on where to go to save money on a night out – White Villas, Ports of Call Resort, and Turks and Caicos Tourism.

5. The Turks and Caicos Islands Transportation Fares

There’s no public transport on the Turks and Caicos Islands. The only modes of transportation on the islands is cars, taxis, ferries or flights. The ferries connect most of The Turks And Caicos Islands. There are three main ferry routes – Providenciales to North Caicos, Providenciales to South Caicos, and Grand Turk to Salt Cay.

The Turks And Caicos Islands are well-connected by air too. They have two domestic airlines named, InterCaribbean and Caicos Express, which fly domestic and international routes.

Ferry fares are listed below:

One-way ticket (Local transport: $1.00 – $3.00
Monthly Pass, (Regular Price): $10.00 – $20.00
Taxi Start (normal tariff): $15.00 – $25.00
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): $15.50 – $35.00

Source: Numbeo and Hikersbay

6. Cost of Internet in the Turks and Caicos Islands

As of 2022, 45.9% of the total population of The Turks And Caicos Islands are active users of the Internet.

Here are some sample broadband internet prices from late 2022 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Data BoltOn– $12-48/Mo for 512 kbit/s
TCI’S FASTEST HOME BROADBAND (Grand Turk)– $69,99-89,99/Mo for 4-8Mbit/s

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym, and Leisure

The Turks and Caicos Islands have a tropical climate and remain hot throughout the year. They only have two seasons: winter and summer. Summer starts around May and continues well into October.

The average temperature in Turks and Caicos is 20C to 30°C all year round. The hottest month in the islands is August when temperatures are between 25C and 30C. The coolest month is January when the temperature is between 20C and 25C. The rainy season arrives in late summer and brings an average annual rainfall of between 700mm and 750mm with it.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $80.00 – $80.00
Summer Dress: $60.00 – $80.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $100.00 – $150.00
Business Shoes: $100.00 – $100.00
Short Doctor’s visit (15 mines): $133
Deodorant: $11.00
Shampoo: $9.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $4.00
Gym membership per month: $70.00 – $100.00
Movie (cinema) ticket: $10.00 – $15.00

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Most expats on the islands have a car as it’s the only way to get around until you use taxis which are extremely expensive. On the whole the major roads are well maintained which is more than can be said for many of the vehicles on the road. Rules of the road appear to be non-existent, and the police do nothing to enforce these rules. Make sure you ensure your car as most of the locals don’t insure their vehicles. Refer to this site for information on buying a car and driving in the Turks And Caicos Islands. You can drive in Turks and Caicos on an International Driver’s Permit (IDP).

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Turks and Caicos:

Volkswagen Golf:$20,000.00 – $40,000.00
1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):$1.32 – $1.85
Other fees (if any): Car registration fee is around $200.

Source: Numbeo and Expat

Ways to save money driving in Turks and Caicos

Car sharing or pooling is the best option to save money – try Conch Cab and CarpoolWorld.
Taxis can be a cheaper option, especially if you are parking all day. Try Tcitaxi, Sea Breeze Taxi and Tours, and Conch Cab.

Need your car/vehicle moved to Turks and Caicos? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping

9. Taxes in Turks and Caicos

There’s no income tax, VAT, property tax, capital gains tax, corporation tax, or inheritance tax in Turks and Caicos. However, all imported goods attract import duty of 37.5%. Plus, tourism, telecommunications, and finance-related services are taxed at 12%. Have a look at this site for more detailed information.

10. Flight Costs from the Turks and Caicos Islands

If you do make the move to the Turks And Caicos Islands, 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: $768
Paris: $751
New York: $222
Los Angeles: $405
Toronto: $460
Dubai: $1,551
Sydney: $1,039
Melbourne: $1,140
Cape Town: $1,028
Hong Kong: $1,039

Other Turks and Caicos Relocation Tips

The above costs and pricing should give you a good idea of the cost of living in the Turks and Caicos Islands. But perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Relocating to the Turks and Caicos Islands Alone

Relocating abroad is exciting but moving alone can be a little nerve wracking. However, the relaxed atmosphere of the islands and the friendly people will help you ease into your new life. Here are a few tips about settling in Turks and Caicos.

Meetups:Connect with many groups through Meetup to participate in a wide range of activities from diving and whale watching to rum tasting.
Attend local events: The Turks and Caicos Islands always have something going on – any excuse for a celebration. Many of these activities and celebrations are free. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Visittci, Travel Agent Central, Frommer’s, WIMCO Villas, and The Ritz-Carlton.

12. Moving to the Turks and Caicos Islands with a Family

Relocating abroad with family is exciting but has many challenges too. Turks and Caicos have a lot to attract families. There are museums, ancient sites, amusement parks, national parks, art galleries, music plus everything the sea has to offer.

New parents (or parents-to-be):Connect your family with various groups like Expat and Moms Club of TCI for advice, courses, and ways to meet other parents or parents-to-be.
Live in a family-friendly area:Everywhere in Turks and Caicos is family-friendly. Providenciales is extremely popular with families. I
Find things to do with the kids:The Turks and Caicos Islands have many things for children to do. Have a look at the following website for inspiration – visittci, family destinations guide, TripAdvisor, the family vacation guide, travelocity, and The Points Guy.

13. Moving to the Turks and Caicos Islands 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 a move.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a big tourist destination, particularly for the gambling industry. As such, it employs many people in the service industry – hotels, restaurants, bars, cruise ships, and the airport. Other opportunities for employment lie in education, medicine, finance and construction.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries in the Turks and Caicos islands depend on which profession you’re in and what sort of company you’re working for. Generally, international companies will cover the cost of housing and education. 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. 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 the Turks and Caicos Islands, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start:LinkedIn, Caribbean Jobs, Job Monkey Jobs, WeXpats, and Jobsland. 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 the Turks and Caicos Islands from Australia

A sizable number of Australians are living in the Turks and Caicos Islands, mostly in the hospitality industry. If you are thinking of moving from Australia to Turks and Caicos, here are a few things to consider.

Size comparison:Australia is 8,148 times bigger than the Turks and Caicos Islands. The population of Australia is 25,739,000 whereas the permanent population of the Turks and Caicos Islands is just under 60,000.
Join groups:MeetUp, Expat, and Friends of Mulesoft offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in the Turks and Caicos Islands through hobbies and various activities.

15. Moving to The Turks and Caicos Islands from Canada

There is a good number of Canadians living and working in the Turks and Caicos Islands. If you’re considering making the move from Canada, here are a few things to consider.

Size:Canada is 10,510 times bigger than the Turks and Caicos Islands. The population of Canada is 38,246,000 whereas the permanent population of the Turks and Caicos Islands is just under 60,000 people.
Expat groups:Meet fellow Canadians in the Turks and Caicos Islands through MeetUp, Expat, and Friends of Mulesoft.

16. Moving to the Turks and Caicos Islands from the United Kingdom

Many Brits live and work in the Turks and Caicos Islands. If you’re considering joining them, here are a few bonus tips:

Size: The UK is 256 times bigger than the Turks and Caicos Islands. The population of the UK is 67,327,000 whereas the permanent population of Turks and Caicos is under 60,000.
Expat groups:Connect with fellow Canadians in the Turks and Caicos Islands through MeetUp, Expat, and Friends of Mulesoft.

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 Turks and Caicos Islands you can start by comparing moving quotes here.