These were fairly accurate at the time of writing and are designed to be a rough guideline only. These are some approximate guide figures as to how much it would cost to live on the Cayman Islands in CI$ per month.
1 bed apartment: $800 - $1,500
2 bed/2 bath apartment: $1,200 - $5,000
3 bed: $2,000 - $5,000
TV: $70 - (depends on package of channels) Internet: Over $100 for high speed.
Water: $30 - $120 upwards depending on consumption
Electricity: $80 - $250 (for a 1-bed apartment, more if you run the AC) upwards. Obviously a 2 bed or a house will be depending on the AC system and insulation etc. Ecay tip Always ask to see a previous electric bill before taking a lease on a property
Telephone: how long is a piece of string? C&W have a great package called Net Speak that allows inexpensive calls over the Internet.
We now have several telecomms providers offering mobile, Internet and data services, and C&W, Digicel and Telecayman offer land lines or the equivalent.
Medical Insurance: $90 upwards depending on the coverage - (bare minimum - very limited benefits)
PO Box rental: from $75/year depending on size
Food: $500 (for a family of three) obviously this varies depending on your lifestyle. Imported British products for example are extremely expensive but local Caymanian and Caribbean products are reasonably priced.
Car: $4000 + insurance (starting at $500) + car tax ($180) (for a very basic vehicle!)
One has to be Caymanian to secure a place at a government school, so private schooling is the only thing available to non Caymanian. There is a great choice of schools and prices start at $4,000 - $9,000 per year
Prices for basic items (January 2006)
Item/Services Approximate
Price (CI$)
5lb bag white potatoes $2.69
3lb bag yellow onions $1.49
1lb jumbo slicing tomatoes $3.89
1lb Red Delicious apples $1.49
1lb fresh cabbage $0.69
5lb bag sweet oranges $3.29
Jumbo seeded red grapes $2.29/lb
Beef loin T-bone steak $10.99/lb
Salmon fillets $6.99/lb
Boneless/skinless chicken breasts $5.49/lb
Uncooked bone-in turkey breast $1.59
Honey Ham $4.99/lb
8 oz sliced bacon $2.99
Pork loin chops $2.59/lb
#2 lobster tails $14.99/lb
Salad shrimp $6.99/lb
Lender bagels $1.89
Nature's Own 100% Whole Wheat bread $2.09/loaf
2lb Pillsbury All Purpose Flour $1.35/bag
Dozen large eggs $1.25
Kraft 8oz Strong Cheddar Cheese $2.99
64oz Tropicana Orange Juice $4.45
12-pack 12oz Pepsi etc $5.95
10.5oz pizza $2.25
18oz Kellogg's Corn Flakes $3.79
Paper Towels $0.69/roll
Soft 'n Gentle 24 Roll Bath Tissue
63oz Gain powder detergent $7.49
Milk $5.29/gallon
7oz (200g) Nescafe Classic $5.99
** Please note that prices vary on a weekly basis depending on availability **
Gas $3.29/gallon
Beer $32.00/case
Cigarettes $30.00/200
Postal Rates
Postcards (to US) $0.20
Postcards (to UK/Europe) $0.25
Letters per half ounce (to US) $0.30
Letters per half ounce (to UK/Europe) $0.40
Greetings cards (to US) $0.60
Greetings cards (to UK/Europe) $0.80
Cost of Living in Grand Cayman
The cost of living in the Cayman Islands will often vary depending on a number of factors, including choice of accommodation, entertainment and lifestyle. The summary below highlights the average range of costs. All items are in Cayman Islands dollars which is equivalent to US$1.25.
Accommodation costs in Cayman Islands
A large selection of apartments and condos are available for long term rental. Accommodation cost vary dramatically with location (proximity to George Town, Seven mile beachfront, canal, waterfront), condition of the premises and facilities (pool, dock, tennis court). The rental costs for a reasonable apartment/condo are as follows:
1 bedroom - 2 bedroom
Seven mile Beach or canal $1,500 + $3,000 +
Off the beach $1,200 + $1,800 +
Average monthly electricity charge (including air conditioning) for 1 to 2 bedrooms ranges from $100 to $250. However, some may be more if they do not have good insulation. We would recommend monitoring your consumption for the first month so you do not get any nasty surprises when your bill comes in. Average monthly water charge range from $50 to $100. If you are renting a house with a pool, you should expect far higher water bills than stated above. Security deposits are required for electricity and water services and apartment/property size. Electricity $100 to $500 and water roughly $200.
Our business directory has contact details for:
* Utilities
* Telecommunications
Cable costs in Cayman Islands
Generally the cost of cable (approximately $75 per month) is included in monthly rental charge. Weststar now offers some great upgrade packages should you wish to get more movies or sports channels etc.
Telecommunication costs in Cayman Islands
Basic monthly connection with voicemail is approximately $15. Long distance charges range from $0.50 to $0.90 per minute within the Caribbean, $0.60 to $1.20 per minute to the US & Canada and $0.80 to $1.60 per minute for the rest of the world. Security deposit for new phone service ranges from $100 to $350, dependent upon payment method.
Please note that these amounts quoted are rough. Check out the Ecay Cayman Islands Business Directory to get information on Cayman Islands Telecommunication Companies. Since the advent of telecoms competition rates have plummeted and some good deals are now available from: Telecayman, Digicel and Westtel.
Vehicle costs in Cayman Islands
The cost of a basic mid-size used car can range from $3,500 to $10,000 depending on size and age. Insurance premiums generally range from $500 to $1,500 per year. Some discounts are available and it is worthwhile to arrange a reference letter from a previous insurer. Check out the Ecay Business Directory for a full list of Insurance Providers in the Cayman Islands.
A three year driver's license cost $65. Vehicle registration can be purchased for either a six-month period or a full year. The annual inspection and registration fees are approximately $200.
Food Costs in Cayman Islands
There are number of large grocery stores on the Island which offer a wide selection of fresh and packaged goods. Food costs are relatively expensive as the majority of items are imported. The average cost for groceries for one month can range from $450 to $1,000 depending on the size of your family and your dietary preferences.
Health Insurance costs in Cayman Islands
Health insurance is mandatory. Your company will arrange basic group health cover with a local recognized insurer and will contribute half of the monthly health insurance premium for employees and their families. Employee contributions are made by way of salary deduction. Some pre-existing conditions are specifically excluded from coverage by local insurers.
Exchange Rate in Cayman Islands
The currency in the Cayman Islands is the Cayman Island Dollar (denoted CI$). The CI$ is exchanged to the US dollar at the following rates:
US$1.00=CI$.80 (cash), US$1.00 = CI$.82 (check)
Our business directory has contact details for:
* Electronics
* Furniture
* Home & Garden
* Linens
* Shopping
Housing costs in Cayman Islands
Rented accommodation is relatively easy to find, and generally annual leases are available, although less so between November and February (the tourist season). Monthly rental costs can vary considerably depending upon the nature (furnished or unfurnished), location, and size of the accommodation. The following is a general guide:
Modern fully furnished one-bedroom apartment:
* On the beach CI$1,500-2,500
* Off the beach CI$750-1,200
Modern fully furnished two-bedroom apartment:
* On the beach CI$2,000-3,000
* Off the beach CI$1,200-1,800
Two- or three-bedroom fully furnished houses:
* Off the beach CI$1,500-3,000
Generally deposits of one month's rent are required for apartments. Also, telephone, water, and electricity deposits are approximately CI$750 in total.
Household Goods costs in Cayman Islands
All household goods can be purchased locally. Many landlords provide a full range of crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils, and linen in furnished accommodations although quality can vary considerably. The electric current is 110 volts AC.
If you are looking to buy in the Cayman Islands do not hesitate to contact us here at Coldwell Banker where we are happy to assist you in all aspects of your property needs click here to send us your queries
to view the original article click here