If you are looking to relocate to St Lucia, the cost of living on the island is important to consider. The average monthly expenses suit a range of individuals, from American retirees to digital nomads. This guide provides detailed information on St Lucia’s cost of living.
Understanding the Cost of Living in St Lucia
The cost of living in St Lucia compared to the UK and the US is relatively low, and residents benefit from a favorable tax regime. There are no capital gains, inheritance tax, or wealth tax on worldwide income or assets. Because St Lucia offers a high quality of life, the island has seen an increase in foreign expats relocating to this tropical paradise – mostly from the US and Canada. St Lucia’s expat community is considered one of the most friendly in the world.
In St Lucia, the cost of living – meaning rent and utilities – for a single person is estimated at $376 per month. Beyond housing costs, everyday expenses for food and transportation average around $645 per month. To answer the question “Is St Lucia expensive to eat out?” dining out in mid-priced restaurants has an average price of $55 for a two-person dinner.
Some estimates suggest that an individual in St Lucia can budget around $1,500 to $2,500 per month to cover their living expenses, while a family of four may need between $2,500 to $4,000 per month.
Of course, your Caribbean cost of living will depend on the type of lifestyle you prefer to have, as St Lucia offers much to do and see that caters to different interests and requirements. In the following sections, we will take a more detailed look at these costs.
Eating and Dining Out in St Lucia
St Lucia is internationally recognized for its delicious cuisines, which come from all over the world. In the cosmopolitan and bustling cities of Castries and Rodney Bay, you can find a high concentration of restaurants with cuisine from France, Japan, China, and India.
You can also find local and succulent food anywhere on the island. Make sure to try St Lucia’s signature national dish known as Green Figs and Salt Fish.
To give you an estimate of restaurant prices: A meal in an inexpensive restaurant amounts to $7.40, while a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant amounts to $55.
St Lucia Transportation Costs
St Lucia has two airports – Hewanorra International Airport and George Charles Airport – and its main seaport is Castries. Well connected to the rest of the world, St Lucia has direct flights to the US, Canada, and Europe. A return flight to Miami International Airport from Hewanorra International Airport costs around $450.
The main public transport to use to get around is the minibus, but private taxis are widely available in St Lucia. The cost of private taxis is more expensive than in the US. St Lucia taxi rates are about 15 ECD ($5.50) per kilometer. However, distances on the island are relatively short.
Take a look at our guide on Why You Should Invest in St Lucia
Health Care Cost in St Lucia
St Lucia’s healthcare system is pretty efficient. You can find wellness centers in all the towns and villages. In total, there are 36 health and wellness centers, three public hospitals, one private hospital, and one psychiatric hospital in St Lucia.
All St Lucia citizens and residents benefit from free medical treatment at health centers. However, health care is privately funded. You can find a number of insurance companies providing affordable health insurance in St Lucia.
A monthly insurance policy from a popular St Lucia healthcare provider like Nagico costs about $150 for individuals under 65 and $150 for those over 65. A family of four can expect to pay about $280.
The Cost of Groceries in St Lucia
Depending on whether you consume local or imported products, the cost of groceries can be relatively cheap in St Lucia.
- Locally produced food such as rice, fresh white bread, fresh fruits, and vegetables – oranges, onions, tomatoes, potatoes – are low-cost and cheaper than in the US.
- Imported products such as milk, meat, and gasoline are more expensive than in the US.
- Wines, domestic and imported beers are low-cost and cheaper than in the US.
Here are the average prices for everyday food products in St Lucia:
Item | Price |
White rice 1kg | $1.81 |
Fresh white bread (500g) | $1.37 |
Local cheese (1kg) | $8.40 |
Bananas (1kg) | $1.54 |
Eggs (12) | $3.57 |
Eggs (12) | $3.69 |
Onions (1kg) | $2.45 |
Beef (1kg) | $14.09 |
Chicken (1kg) | $10.36 |
Study Costs in St Lucia
Saint Lucia provides free and compulsory education for children up to the age of 15.
The island has one university – the University of the West Indies Distance Education Centre – and several medical schools.
Depending on the school, the cost of studying in St. Lucia varies. On average, students should plan to spend around $4,000 to $10,000 per semester. Housing and insurance have to be considered as additional costs.
Tuition fees to study at St Lucia’s University of the Southern Caribbean start at $832.00 per credit for foreign and non-CARICOM students. There is a registration fee of $1,230 for the first and second semesters and $1,005 for the third semester.
The Cost of Real Estate in St Lucia
Renting in St Lucia
There are many options for renting property in St Lucia. Depending on the type of property and its location, prices vary. Living in the city center is twice as expensive as living outside the city center.
You can, for example, rent a one-bedroom apartment in Castries’s city center for $510 per month and a three-bedroom apartment for $890 per month.
If you rent a one-bedroom apartment outside the city center, you will pay around $325 and approximately $650 for a three-bedroom apartment.
It is important to take rent into account when considering the cost of living in Saint Lucia. To give you an idea of what to expect, in St Lucia, a family of four’s estimated monthly costs are about $3,192.4 (EC$8,627.5), not including rent. A single person’s estimated monthly costs are around $883.1 (EC$2,386.7), not including rent. On average, the cost of living in St Lucia is about 21.8 percent lower than in the US, with rent in St Lucia being an average of 74.3 percent lower.
Buying property in St Lucia
With an influx of expats relocating to the island, St Lucia’s real estate market is booming. Properties such as villas, resorts, apartments, condos, and historical colonial homes are available for a wide range of prices. Some of the best cities to live in St Lucia are Castries, Rodney Bay, Soufriere, and Marigot Bay. Below are some of the property prices you can find on the market:
- St Lucia local home = Starting from $200,000.
- Modern condos and bungalows = around $300,000
- Beachfront villas = $1,000,000.
Foreigners wishing to buy property in St Lucia need to apply for the Alien Landholding License.
The Cost of Living in St Lucia vs the US
The average cost of living in St Lucia compared to the USA for a single person and a family of four is lower, including monthly rent and daily expenses. According to data from Numbeo’s cost of living index:
- Rent prices are 72.3 percent lower in St Lucia than in the US
- Restaurant prices are 46.3 percent lower in St Lucia than in the US
- Groceries prices are 5.7 percent lower in St Lucia than in the US
St Lucia taxes are also more favorable than taxes in the USA. St Lucia imposes no worldwide income tax, capital gains, wealth, or inheritance tax.
St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Cost
Investors can buy St Lucia government-approved real estate or donate to the country’s government fund through the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment and obtain citizenship for themselves and their family members.
The cost to purchase St Lucia real estate is $300,000. Investors can donate $240,000 to the National Economic Fund (NEF) and obtain a St Lucia passport in 10 to 12 months.
Calculate the cost of citizenship for you and your family, including all associated fees.
FAQs:
Is the cost of living in St Lucia expensive?
The cost of living in Saint Lucia is relatively low. Compared to the US and the UK, eating out, groceries, and real estate are cheaper.
What is the cost of living in St Lucia compared to the UK?
The cost of living in St Lucia is lower than the cost of living in the UK. St Lucia food prices are generally cheaper than in the UK, as well as rent prices.
What is the best place to live in St Lucia?
Some of the best places to live in St Lucia are Castries, Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay, and Soufriere.
How can I get the St Lucia passport?
You can get the St Lucia passport via the St Lucia immigration program, provided that you have made an investment of at least $240,000 in the country’s economy. If you have legally resided in St Lucia for at least seven years, you can also apply for citizenship.
How much money do you need to retire in St Lucia?
To obtain St Lucia citizenship via investment, you must invest a minimum of $100,000 in the country. The estimated monthly cost of living in St Lucia in USD for a couple of retirees is about $2,000 to $3,000 per month, excluding monthly rent.
How much do I need in US dollars to live in St Lucia?
The monthly budget needed to live in St Lucia depends on your lifestyle and where you choose to live. Generally, the estimated estimated costs for a single person would be around $1,500, excluding rent, whereas the estimated cost of living in St Lucia per month for a family of four would be around $3,500. For other expenses, expect to pay around $43 monthly for internet, $1 for a one-way public transportation ticket, and $40 for a monthly pass to the gym.
