Compare the cost of your home country to the actual living costs in Saint Lucia, simply select your home currency and see the difference!
All data is kept up to date by local members and actual students. Our latest update was on: 30th of June 2020
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Food | Price in $ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
12 eggs dozen, large | 12.50 EC$ | |||
1 beer pint in local shops, markets | 7 EC$ | |||
1 kg of tomatoes | 8.50 EC$ | |||
Full chicken 2kg | 38.75 EC$ | |||
1litre 100% fruit juice | 8.50 EC$ | |||
1 package of cigarettes imported brands | 25 EC$ | |||
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 7.50 EC$ | |||
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 48.95 EC$ | |||
2.5 liters of Coca-Cola | 0.95 EC$ | |||
1 Bread loaf standard | 9.50 EC$ | |||
Whole fat Yogurt. 500ml | 12 EC$ | |||
1x6 pack Dardanelle tuna | 18.50 EC$ | |||
Heinz baked beans 1 tin | 8 EC$ | |||
1.5 kg Sugar | 10 EC$ | |||
2 liter cooking oil | 20 EC$ | |||
Yum-yum noodles per pack | 2.00 EC$ | |||
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.50 EC$ | |||
1 liter milk | 8.50 EC$ | |||
Fast food restaurant large serving/ take away | 25 EC$ | |||
Housing | ||||
Utilities per month (water, electricity, gas) for 2 people in flat | 165 EC$ | |||
Wi-Fi monthly fee 8 Mbps (1 month) | 145 EC$ | |||
Laundry detergent (bleach, sunlight liquid, washing surf… altogether) | 58.50 EC$ | |||
House Cleaning fee per day | 105 EC$ | |||
Large Gas heater price range upwards. | 200 EC$ | |||
Original branded Electric Fans | 200 EC$ | |||
Original branded Electric kettle. | 120 EC$ | |||
40 inches Beko flat screen HD TV set | 2000 EC$ | |||
Single bed Blankets | 120 EC$ | |||
Personal Care | ||||
Avon for women and men cologne | 100 EC$ | |||
Ladies hair plaiting. | 60 EC$ | |||
Ladies Sanitaryware (Pads and Tampoons) | 18 EC$ | |||
Men's haircut | 40 EC$ | |||
Ibuprofen, Panadol, Grandpa Pain killers box of 12 dosses | 24.50 EC$ | |||
Mobile package local network providers’ talk-time, data and messages | 65 EC$ | |||
1 month of gym subscription. | 105 EC$ | |||
Earphones original (Samsung. iPhone) | 90 EC$ | |||
Unisex Loris perfume | 30 EC$ | |||
Gadgets maintenance and repairs (cellphone, laptops, tablets...) starting price. | 100 EC$ | |||
Smart phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, IPhone) price range upwards | 1000 EC$ | |||
Laptops (Samsung, Lenovo, Hp, Monster, Dell etc.) price range upwards | 3000 EC$ | |||
Entertainment | ||||
Boat cruise with refreshments and finger snacks | 120 EC$ | |||
Go carting 30mins | 120 EC$ | |||
Movie House 3d cinema | 30 EC$ | |||
Summer Festivals (jet, bumper cars, lucky deep ...(per ticket) | 15 EC$ | |||
Photo shoot | 120 EC$ | |||
Cappuccino / expresso/ coffee | 12.50 EC$ | |||
3 course dinner local restaurant two people | 96.50 EC$ | |||
3 course dinner classy, exotic restaurant two people | 150 EC$ | |||
Play station 4 console without games. | 2000 EC$ | |||
Spalding Basketball | 200 EC$ | |||
Original branded Racket and Wilson’s tennis balls | 500 EC$ | |||
Transportation | ||||
Taxi fare on average 5-10km | 45 EC$ | |||
Public transport per trip one way maximum fare | 30 EC$ | |||
1 liter petrol/diesel | 6.50 EC$ | |||
1 day rent a car cost | 140 EC$ | |||
Driver’s license | 2300 EC$ | |||
Clothes | ||||
1 pair of jeans (Denim or similar) | 150 EC$ | |||
1 pair of men’s formal shoes | 215 EC$ | |||
1 pair original sport/casual shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 280 EC$ | |||
1 classy summer dress (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 135.79 EC$ | |||
Ladies formal shoes original and durable | 120 EC$ | |||
Back-pack, gym bag (Nike, Adidas, New balance) | 150 EC$ |
St Lucian housing, products, and services are very reasonably priced making it one of the most affordable places in the Caribbean. Let's take a brief look at a few basic requirements and costs.
Accommodation
St Lucia has quite a broad range of options for the accommodation of students and tourists alike. Universities offer on-campus accommodation for students allowing students to walk to lectures.
Convenience at its best should you choose to live on campus, meaning you cut back on transport costs and get even more time for study and fun. Should you want to live off-campus you still have a load of options in the reasonably priced apartments on offer.
Tourists are not left out too as they have the option to stay at classy but reasonably priced resorts around St Lucia. There are over 70 hotels in St Lucia with excellent 3 to 5-star ratings. Think of top-notch resorts like the Ladera Resort in Soufriere, Cap Maison in Cap Estate,
The Landings Resort and Spa and Sandals Grande St Lucian, both in Gros Islet; Marigot By Resort and Marina in Castries, East Winds Inn in Gros Islet and Sandals Regency La Toc in Castries to mentıon but a few. That is glamour at its best.
St Lucian housing tends to be more affordable as compared to other major destinations. Rentals in the country are among the cheapest in the Caribbean. There is also an option for students to rent a shared apartment and share the costs.
Groceries
Grocery prices are relatively lower for local products and if you want international brands then be prepared to pay a little extra. Prices vary depending on brands as well as shops. For any grocery category, you can either go international (expensive) or simply buy local (relatively cheaper).
Just to go the extra mile, we will provide you with a few grocery shops you might consider :
Massy Stores-this This is the most famous shop that any St Lucian will direct you to for the ultimate shopping experience. It has over 10 locations around St Lucia. These stores offer an all in one package for grocery, pharmaceuticals, home office supplies, electronics, and other home supplies.
Eroline's Supermarket, though not as classier as Massy store, has reasonably priced groceries. It is most preferred by the people in Soufriere and Canaries for its affordability. Other grocery stores include Shoprite wholesale, Glace Supermarket, and The Promise Supermarket. Well, the choice is yours, go cheap or go extra!
Transport
Minibusses serve as the main transportation means for locals and are relatively cheap. The best way to get around is by car or minibus. Taxis are also the best way to get around and take you straight to your destination. St Lucia however, does not have an uber or shuttle sharing service and you will have to use a taxi or a rental car.
For a little thrill and if you have an extra buck to burn, then the ferry and a helicopter are just for you. St Lucia has 2 main airports, Hewanorra International Airport and George F. L Charle Airport with the former being the larger one where log haul flights arrive and the latter being smaller and handles flights only from the Caribbean.
Cost of Goods and Services
We have prepared a list of some items that you might need for your day to day and luxury life.No need to get calculation headaches. Prices are quoted in US$ value and also in East Caribbean dollar value, which is the official currency of St Lucia just for you. Pretty efficient, isn't it?
ITEM | US$ PRICE | EC$ PRICE |
Restaurants | ||
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 5.09 | 13.75 EC$) |
McMeal at McDonald's | 7.40 $ | 20.00 EC$ |
Domestic Beer (0.5-liter draught) | 1.85 $ | 5.00 EC$) |
Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | 2.95 $ | 7.97 EC$ |
Cappuccino | 3.24 $ | 8.75 EC$) |
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.11 $ | 3.01 EC$) |
Water (0.33-liter bottle) | 0.86 $ | 2.33 EC$) |
Market | ||
1 Ltr Milk | 2.66 $ | 7.18 EC$) |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread | 0.78 $ | 2.10 EC$) |
White Rice(1kg) | 1.43 $ | 3.85 EC$) |
Eggs dozen | 2.77 $ | 7.47 EC$) |
Beef Round (1kg) | 18.32 $ | 49.52 EC$) |
Tomato (1kg) | 5.42 $ | 14.66 EC$) |
Potato (1kg) | 2.23 $ | 6.04 EC$) |
Onion (1kg) | 1.24 $ | 3.34 EC$) |
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 1.37 $ | 3.71 EC$) |
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 2.68 $ | 7.23 EC$) |
Transport | ||
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 0.81 $ | 2.19 EC$) |
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 0.74 $ | 2.00 EC$) |
UTILITIES (Monthly) | ||
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | 0.30 $ | 0.80 EC$) |
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
|
71.20 $ | 192.41 EC$) |
Sports and Leisure | ||
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 30.34 $ | 82.00 EC$) |
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 55.50 $ | 150.00 EC$) |
Cinema 1 Seat | 7.40 $ | 20.00 EC$) |
Clothing And Shoes | ||
1 Pair of Jeans | 50.88 $ | 180.00 EC$) |
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes | 71.23 $ | 192.50 EC$) |
Rent Per Month | ||
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 481.03 $ | 1,300.00 EC$) |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 251.61 $ | 680.00 EC$) |