Kingston vs Duncans: 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.

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.