Duncans vs Buff Bay: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?

Duncans is a sleepy coastal village that offers little beyond cheap utilities and a low cost of living, but the trade-offs are steep: poor healthcare, a mediocre safety index, and an internet speed of 9 Mbps that will frustrate any serious remote worker. With a digital nomad score of 41 and an expat score of 49, this is not a place for career-focused expats, though retirees might tolerate the 51 score if they crave isolation. The $770 monthly rent for a one-bedroom is a bargain, but you are 18 km from the Montego Bay airport and stuck in a tropical climate with hurricane risk from May to November. Skip it unless you are desperate for cheap solitude and can handle subpar infrastructure.

Buff Bay is a sleepy, low-cost Jamaican town where a one-bedroom apartment in the city center runs just $159 a month, but don't expect much in return. With a population of only 5,000 and a digital nomad score of 51 out of 100, this place is a hard pass for remote workers who need reliable internet (a sluggish 15 Mbps) and any semblance of urban life. Retirees might find the $2,000 monthly income requirement for a visa manageable, but the fair healthcare and 60 out of 100 safety index won't inspire confidence. For the price, you get a tropical climate with a real hurricane risk and an airport 14 km away, but the lack of amenities and slow connectivity make it a tough sell for anyone not seeking total isolation.