New Providence vs George Town: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
New Providence costs roughly 22% less than George Town. George Town scores significantly higher on safety — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
George Town is approximately 191% less expensive than New Providence based on cost of living including rent. This makes George Town a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
George Town has a FIRE Score of 36/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 85, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: George Town is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About New Providence
New Providence is a brutally expensive place to live, with a one-bedroom in the city center costing $1,490/mo and a mid-range restaurant meal for two hitting $200. The average monthly net salary of $3,356/mo barely covers the comfortable tier total of $3,571/mo, making it a tough sell for anyone not on a fat expat package. While the large and active expat community and widely spoken English are draws, the sky-high cost of living index of 95/100 and mediocre internet speed of 75 Mbps mean you are paying a premium for a tropical lifestyle that does not deliver much value. Skip it unless you have a remote salary from a high-cost city or a retirement visa through the Permanent Residence program.
About Bahamas
Best for retirees via the Permanent Residence pathway, anchored by no language requirement and direct flights. Living costs are high—$1,752 monthly plus $1,196 rent—but its Safety Index of 42.6 and medium expat safety rating are solid for the region. Main trade-off: no minimum income requirement and no personal income tax could complicate budgeting.
$-631/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About George Town
George Town, Bahamas, is a tiny, sleepy outpost with a population of just 2,000 and a cost of living that is 17 percent higher than New York City. While rent is cheap -- a one-bedroom in the city center averages $513 a month -- the average local salary of $1,092 is barely enough to cover the $1,200 in monthly expenses excluding rent. The safety index is high at 85, but the small expat community and fair healthcare quality make it a niche choice for digital nomads on the Bahamas BEATS visa rather than a mainstream relocation hub.
About Bahamas
Best for retirees via the Permanent Residence pathway, anchored by no language requirement and direct flights. Living costs are high—$1,752 monthly plus $1,196 rent—but its Safety Index of 42.6 and medium expat safety rating are solid for the region. Main trade-off: no minimum income requirement and no personal income tax could complicate budgeting.
$2,339/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | New Providence | George Town |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1490 | $512.88 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $2000 | $372.25 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $4750 | $930.64 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $3920 | $663.85 |
| Safety Index | 73 | 85 |
| Internet Speed | 75Mbps | 49Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | New Providence | George Town |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $702/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $330/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $372/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $121/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $36.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $85.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $77.00/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $11.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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New Providence vs George Town -- Frequently Asked Questions
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