With the rising cost of living all over the world, many turn their faces to the cheapest Caribbean Islands to live in 2025. Proving this claim, IOM Caribbean’s data in 2024 indicates that 784,373 migrants live in the Caribbean, which has inreased 16% since 2020. This is not a coincidence; most of the Caribbean Islands offer a low cost of living along with peace of mind and a laid-back lifestyle.
According to EURES data from 2025, 93% of Europeans express anxiety about the rising cost of living in the EU. Similarly, in the United States, the CFP Board reports that 9 in 10 Americans say they are struggling to keep up with high living expenses. In light of these concerns, many people are looking for more affordable places to live that still offer a high quality of life. In the meantime, the Caribbean Islands stand out as a relatively affordable option for relocation.
What to Discover in This Guide?
Safest and Affordable Caribbean Islands to Live in 2025
There are 13 Caribbean nations in the Caribbean peninsula. So, how can you decide which one to relocate? Here, you can see the top 7 countries that we evaluate as safe and cheapest.
1. St Kitts and Nevis
As a part of the Commonwealth, St Kitts and Nevis accepts English as an official language, which is a huge benefit, especially if you are coming from an English-speaking country. The Capital, Basseterre, is home to Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, an international airport serving as the primary entrance to both Saint Kitts and the Caribbean territory. Plus, you can witness the remnants of pre-slavery in the city center through the National Museum and Independence Square.
Apart from its city centre, you can also benefit from its laid-back atmosphere via its beaches. You can visit Cockleshell Bay Beach for its beautiful white sands, or Frigate Bay South Beach for seasports. If you are wondering about St Kitts’ safety. You can consider it moderately safe with a 59.98 index.
When it comes to living costs, expect to pay around $890 or $1,200 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre, $650-$750 outside of the city centre. Utilities are around $96.25. For basic expenses, you can pay around $1,500 -$2,000 per month. When compared to big countries like the US, in which you need approximately $5,000 per month, it is considerably lower and cheaper.
Besides, the country is a tax haven. They do not tax you on the personal income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax. That’s why the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment program has become a strategic asset for many who are looking for a second passport. By making a minimum $250,000 investment in the Sustainable Island State Contribution, you can get citizenship within just a few months.
2. Antigua and Barbuda
Made up of three islands, Antigua and Barbuda welcome expats with its friendly locals, sublime beaches, and natural landscapes. It is mostly known for its 365 beaches, which refers to one for each day in a whole year. Therefore, if you are fond of seaside and tropical paradises, Antigua and Barbuda is one of the cheapest Caribbean islands for you to live in 2025.
While Antigua’s safety is at moderate levels, living costs are considerably lower when compared to other Caribbean nations. You can wait to pay around $1,000 or $1,500 per month, depending on your lifestyle. On the other hand, these living expenses can reach up to €4,000 without including the rent in Europe. Considering this huge gap between the two regions, it becomes clear why more and more people are leaning towards the cheapest Caribbean regions to live.
Apart from these, even if you become a tax resident here, you are exempt from paying income, inheritance, and capital gains tax, as the country does not have any tax implications. Depending on your country of residence, you can stay here by getting a temporary residence visa if your stay exceeds 90 days.
Meanwhile, you can also consider investing in an Antigua and Barbuda citizenship. Through its CBI program, you can include your family members and benefit from minimum investment amounts starting from $230,000 to the National Development Fund. The process generally takes 6-9 months if you comply with the legal requirements.
3. St Lucia
When you compare it to Western Countries, St Lucia stands out with its high quality and low cost of island life. Located in the Lesser Antilles, it is home to many white sand beaches and rainforests. If you are an outdoor sports lover, you can hike Gros Piton, a twin volcanic mountain, or walk around Pigeon Island. Then, you can make a reservation for mud baths in Sulphur Springs.
If you ask about St Lucia’s safety, the US Department of State classifies it as a level 1: “Exercise Normal Precautions”, highlighting it as moderately safe for many expats. When it comes to the cost of living, you can spend around $1,160 – $1,500 for your basic expenses in St Lucia. This amount is considerably low when you compare it to many EU countries. For instance, you need to pay around $2,831.7 in Portugal, excluding rent. While in St Lucia, you can spend almost half of it.
As one of the best Caribbean islands, St Lucia is also known as a tax haven. The country does not impose tax on your income, capital gains, or even inheritance. Considering the opportunities the island offers you, you may consider moving here through St Lucia’s citizenship program. All you have to do is keep up with the legal requirements and make a $240,000 minimum investment in the National Economic Fund.
If you are interested, real estate investment is also available starting from $300,000. Within 12-18 months, you will obtain your citizenship and benefit from visa-free access to the Schengen area.
4. Grenada
Located in the West Indies, Grenada is known for its closeness to North America. Plus, when it comes to Grenada’s safety, it is one of the safest Caribbean islands, with an 80.36 safety index according to Numbeo. As an expat, you can enjoy the local life here as English is the official language. However, you can come across Grenadians who speak Grenadian Creole French.
Moreover, the public Education system is available for children from the ages of 5 to 16 in the British Model. It is free and compulsory. There are also colleges with considerably low tuition fees. Therefore, it can also be said that it is one of the best places to live with your family, too.
Keeping these in mind, you may ask yourself: how much does it cost to live in Grenada? If you are waiting for higher costs, you can lower your expectations, as it is not only one of the safest, but also one of the affordable Caribbean countries to live with a monthly cost of $1,000 – $1,500. Plus, you can easily find an accommodation in the city center for 614.65 $ per month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Apart from these, you should also be aware that Grenada is an E-2 Visa country, meaning that you can get US residency by making a substantial investment if you are a Grenadian citizen. To obtain citizenship status, you can think of applying for Grenadian citizenship by investment. Here, the minimum investment amount is $235,000 to the National Transformation Fund. The process can be completed within 4-6 months. Once you obtain your citizenship status, you can be eligible to apply for applying E-2 Visa and at the same time benefit from visa access to visa-free travel to over 148 countries, including the Schengen region.
5. Dominica
Dominica is perfect for nature enthusiasts who prefer long treks, hiking, snorkelling, or even diving over a steady city life. You can enjoy the adventurous life while hanging around the Trafalgar Falls and Middleham Falls, a living proof of a tropical haven. On the other hand, you can relax in Wotten Waven hot springs for serenity.
The cost of living in Dominica is considerably low, with monthly expenses around $1,500- $2,000. You can expect to pay around $286.77 in the city center for a one-bedroom apartment, while $1,037.92 for a three-bedroom apartment. When compared with many Caribbean countries, it offers relatively low accommodation costs. Apart from this, you can also take advantage of tax incentives, as you will not be paying any income or annual property taxes.
To start over your life, moving to Dominica can be challenging if you do not know which residency path to choose. At this stage, you can consider applying for the Dominica Citizenship by Investment program. With a minimum investment of $200,000 in the Economic Diversification Fund, it offers the cheapest option among the Caribbean CBI programs.
6. Belize
As a member of CARICOM, Belize is a small country that has a long coastline along the Caribbean Sea. Although located in Central America, it is often considered part of the Caribbean due to its culture, language, and history. For instance, English is the official language in Belize same as in many Caribbean islands.
Additionally, the country is famous for its rich biodiversity. The Belize Barrier Reef is a living proof of this, as the second largest in the world. So, if you love diving into the deep seas, you will definitely love the view.
For an expat, a monthly budget will be around $1,200 to $2,500, depending on the lifestyle. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is around $479.71, while a three-bedroom apartment is around $1,190.95. Plus, you can expect to pay around $136.96 for utilities.
If you want to settle in Belize, you must apply for a residency permit that is suitable for you. If you are looking for the best place to retire in the Caribbean on a budget, you can prefer the Qualified Retirement Person (QRP) Program. On the other hand, you can go for temporary residence programs too if the program does not suit you.
7. The Dominican Republic
Although it is often confused with Dominica, the Dominican Republic is a totally different country. Dominica is a smaller island nation in the Caribbean, while the Dominican Republic is a large island located on the island of Hispaniola. Plus, the Dominican Republic is a Spanish-speaking country. On the contrary, Dominica is an English-speaking country.
The capital city, Santo Domingo, is one of the oldest cities in the Americas, and it is known for its historic colonial buildings. Therefore, it also has a rich cultural heritage. Plus, you can experience the comfort of the luxury resorts and beaches, as well as their natural beauty, through sea sports and adventurous walks.
Living expenses are around $800- $1,200 per month. These affordable costs make it the cheapest island in the Caribbean to live on. You can expect to pay around $438.60 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, $857.46 for a three-bedroom apartment. Property prices vary from $145.47 to $300 per meter. Plus, utilities cost around $66.41, including heating, electricity, cooling, water, and garbage.
Considering these, if you wish to move to the Dominican Republic, you need to get a temporary visa. At the same time, you might think of applying for an Investor Visa by making a $200,000 investment to get permanent residency.
Full Comparison Table for the Cheapest Caribbean Islands
To give you a clear picture of the cheapest islands to live in 2025, we have gathered all the essentials below in the table.
| Country | Monthly Cost of Living | Meal* | Utilities** | Property Prices*** | Rental Prices**** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican Republic | $800 – $1,200 | $6.75 | $66.43 | $145.51 | $438.68 |
| Grenada | $1,000 – $1,500 | $11.10 | $227.75 | $109.20 | $615.01 |
| Antigua & Barbuda | $1,000 – $1,500 | $9.25 | $289.85 | $1,077.51 | $1,801.71 |
| St Lucia | $1,160 – $1,500 | $7.77 | $104.53 | $13.22 | $501.69 |
| Belize | $1,200 – $2,500 | $10.00 | $136.96 | $134.29 | $479.71 |
| Dominica | $1,500 – $2,000 | $7.40 | $138.98 | $12.59 | $286.77 |
| St Kitts and Nevis | $1,500 – $2,000 | $18.50 | $96.25 | $464.51 | $890.00 |
*Meal in an inexpensive restaurant
**Including heating, electricity, cooling, water, and garbage.
***Price per Square Feet
****Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center
Get Golden Visa: How Can We Help You?
At Get Golden Visa, we help our clients get residency or citizenship through investment programs. Our experts analyze your needs and interests. Then, they offer you the best paths depending on your preferences. Additionally, we assist you in preparing your documents and complying with legal requirements through third-party lawyers while making the process run transparently and smoothly.
Get in contact with our team to start your journey for global mobility and flexibility.
Contact Form
Frequently Asked Questions on Affordable Caribbean Islands
What Caribbean island is best for Americans to live on?
The British Virgin Islands and Dominica are popular choices. They often offer natural beauty, friendly communities, and easy residency options. For Dominica, Americans can consider applying for its CBI program. On the other hand, the residency by investment program for the British Virgin Islands.
Which Caribbean country is the safest to live in?
The Cayman Islands, Barbados, Grenada, and Dominica are frequently ranked among the safest Caribbean countries to live in.
What is the cheapest tropical place to live?
Countries like Belize and the Dominican Republic are known for being affordable tropical destinations with a lower cost of living.
What is the cheapest Caribbean island to buy a house on?
The Dominican Republic is often the most affordable Caribbean island for buying property. However, if your aim is to buy property, you can also check out citizenship by investment programs. St Kitts, St Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda offer approved real estate investment options for citizenship routes.
What is the cheapest Caribbean island to live on for families?
The Dominican Republic is often considered the cheapest Caribbean island for families to live on, thanks to its affordable housing, low cost of living, and good access to schools and services.
