Moving to Jamaica from Brazil

moving to

What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Brazil to Jamaica — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Brazil to Jamaica, you would find that Jamaica is 49.5% more expensive than Brazil overall. A R$384,540 salary in Brazil would need to be roughly JMD19,158,690 in Jamaica to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Jamaican Patois. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

How Far Will Your Money Go?

What to expect for your wallet after moving from Brazil to Jamaica.

What does your salary buy?

R$384,540 JMD19,158,690

To maintain the same standard of living in Jamaica

Calculate with your salary →

Where you'll feel the difference day-to-day

Restaurants

pay 16.4% more

Groceries

pay 2.2 times more

Transportation

pay 69.0% more

Housing

pay 2.1 times more

Childcare

pay 46.5% less

Entertainment and Sports

pay 2.1 times more

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 BRL = 30.86 JMD (July 2026)

Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.

Get free moving quotes to Jamaica

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Brazil to Jamaica.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

BR
20.6
JM
53.3
Feel safe walking at night United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

of residents who feel safe walking alone at night

BR
48%
JM
70%

Brazil generally does better on safety, though Jamaica leads in feel safe walking at night.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BR
$2,070
JM
$869
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

BR
21.4
JM
5.5

Brazil generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Jamaica leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

BR
23.0
JM
22.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BR
2.3t
JM
2.8t

Brazil generally does better on environment, though Jamaica leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BR
21.0
JM
15.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BR
1.5%
JM
12.4%

Brazil generally does better on infrastructure, though Jamaica leads in internet access.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BR
8.0%
JM
4.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BR
$18,600
JM
$10,300

Brazil generally does better on employment & economy, though Jamaica leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BR
75.9 yrs
JM
75.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BR
13.3
JM
11.2

Brazil generally does better on family life, though Jamaica leads in infant mortality.

Data: Secretaria da Receita Federal do Brasil, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Brasilia Rain: 61.1 in/yr (1552 mm)
80° / 61°F

Avg. annual high / low

Kingston Rain: 32.0 in/yr (813 mm)
89° / 73°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Brasilia Kingston
Jan–Mar 80°/63°F (27°/17°C) 87°/70°F (30°/21°C)
Apr–Jun 78°/59°F (26°/15°C) 89°/74°F (32°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 80°/58°F (27°/14°C) 91°/76°F (33°/24°C)
Oct–Dec 80°/64°F (27°/17°C) 88°/73°F (31°/23°C)
View all months
Month Brasilia Kingston
Jan 80°/63°F (26.9°/17.4°C) 87°/70°F (30.3°/21.1°C)
Feb 80°/63°F (26.7°/17.4°C) 86°/70°F (30.2°/21.0°C)
Mar 81°/64°F (27.1°/17.5°C) 87°/71°F (30.7°/21.6°C)
Apr 80°/62°F (26.6°/16.8°C) 88°/73°F (31.1°/22.6°C)
May 78°/59°F (25.7°/15.0°C) 89°/74°F (31.6°/23.6°C)
Jun 77°/56°F (25.2°/13.3°C) 90°/76°F (32.1°/24.2°C)
Jul 77°/55°F (25.1°/12.9°C) 91°/76°F (32.8°/24.3°C)
Aug 81°/58°F (27.3°/14.6°C) 91°/76°F (32.7°/24.2°C)
Sep 83°/61°F (28.3°/16.0°C) 90°/75°F (32.1°/24.0°C)
Oct 82°/63°F (27.5°/17.4°C) 89°/74°F (31.7°/23.4°C)
Nov 80°/64°F (26.6°/17.5°C) 88°/73°F (31.2°/22.8°C)
Dec 79°/64°F (26.2°/17.5°C) 87°/71°F (30.6°/21.8°C)

Data: Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia, Meteorological Service, Jamaica Meteorological Service, Jamaica

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Brazil and Jamaica. To live, work, or study long-term in Jamaica, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Jamaica's immigration authority.

Brazil passport

Brazil passport holder visiting Jamaica

Visa Free
Brazil passport holders can enter Jamaica without a visa.
Jamaica passport

Jamaica passport holder visiting Brazil

Visa Free
Jamaica passport holders can enter Brazil without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Jamaica than Brazil?

No — Jamaica is on average about 61% more expensive than Brazil. City-level variation matters.

How much money do I need to move to Jamaica?

Plan for at least 3 months of living expenses — roughly JMD4,789,672 in Jamaica on a R$384,540 comparable salary — plus one-off moving costs (flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees).

Can I work remotely from Jamaica?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Jamaica has 15.0 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Jamaica safe for expats?

Brazil generally does better on safety, though Jamaica leads in feel safe walking at night. The homicide rate in Jamaica is 53.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 20.6 in Brazil. About 70% of people in Jamaica feel safe walking alone at night.

How is healthcare in Jamaica compared to Brazil?

Brazil generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Jamaica leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 5.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Jamaica, compared to 21.4 in Brazil. Jamaica scores 74 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Brazil: 80).

What's the weather like in Jamaica compared to Brazil?

The average high temperature in Kingston is 89°F, compared to 80°F in Brasilia. Kingston receives around 32.0 in of rainfall per year, while Brasilia gets 61.1 in.

What language do they speak in Jamaica?

The official languages in Jamaica are English and Jamaican Patois. In Brazil, the official language is Portuguese.

Share this

At a Glance

BR JM
Population 217,240,060 2,818,596
Currency Brazilian Real (R$) Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
Languages Portuguese English, Jamaican Patois
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +55 +1
Time zones 4 1
Emergency number 190 119