Kingston vs Easington: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?

Kingston is a genuinely affordable Caribbean capital where a one-bedroom outside the center runs $569/mo and a monthly public transport pass costs just $38, though the average local net salary of $739/mo means most residents are priced out of the city center entirely. Expats and remote workers get by on English, a medium community, and a Remote Work Permit, with a digital nomad score of 68/100 and a cost of living index of 60/100 against NYC. The trade-offs are real: a safety index of 59/100, fair healthcare, 45 Mbps internet, and a distinct hurricane season that will test your patience every year. Come for the low overhead and the tropical climate, stay if you can tolerate the crime stats and the slow connections.

Easington is a tiny mountain village of 2 thousand people sitting 650 m above sea level, just 5 km from KIN, so you trade beach life for cooler air and quick airport access. Rent near the center runs about $770/mo, utilities $168/mo and internet $53/mo at a workable 45 Mbps, which keeps remote work viable even if the 53/100 digital nomad score says this is not a wired-up hub. The catch is safety: a 35/100 safety index and 65 crime index mean you should pick your housing carefully and treat the fair healthcare as a reason to keep Kingston close. Come for the low costs and English-speaking ease, not for nightlife or a soft landing.