Moving to the Cayman Islands?
How Much Does It Cost?
July 27, 2026
Our Expertise
How much does it cost to live in the Cayman Islands? This can vary depending on which region you settle in, but no matter what, cost of living is always a core concern when moving to the Cayman Islands. Our experts at BCQS have put together the key details you need to budget your move and understand multiday and move-in costs in Cayman.
Cayman Utility Costs
Due to the location and local weather, utility costs in the Cayman Islands may not be what you expect. Please do your research before moving to Cayman, especially if you are moving from overseas.
CUC Billing Rates
The ‘Caribbean Utilities Company’ (CUC) is the electricity supplier to the Cayman Islands. Costs vary subject to the age of the property and the time of year, but general CUC costs for apartments and town homes are as follows:
- 1BD – $100-$150
- 2BD – $250-$400
- 3BD – $350 – $700
Power is likely to be your most costly utility bill because of the high temperature and humidity of the islands. It is essential to keep your air conditioning running all year round, not only to keep you cool, but also to prevent mould growth. In fact, most landlords require this of tenants.
Cost & Quality of Water
Water bills here are reasonably inexpensive, generally costing roughly about $30 per person a month, depending on usage. This puts the average couple’s bill at around $50-$70 a month.
Although drinkable, the Cayman Islands has hard water. Therefore, most opt for water filters to remove the harshness for drinking or showering.
Gas Rates
The majority of homes are equipped with electric stoves, but if you are moving into an older home, or a modern property that has opted for gas appliances, additional costs need to be made towards buying gas.
A large gas tank for at-home use is usually about $400 for the year.
Cable TV/Internet
We recommend that you check with providers Flow, Logic, Digicel or C3 for package pricing tailored to your needs. Fibre internet connection is now available throughout much of the island. Cable TV and internet services range from $100-$200 per month. Many condominium complexes include basic cable TV as part of the rent ($40 saving).
Phone Bills
Many choose a postpaid plan once settled in the islands. However, our small island population means phone companies here are unable to offer deals and pricing you might find in the US, Canada or the UK. There are prepaid contracts that start at $99 per month from FLOW, but be mindful that data usage and roaming charges can increase your bill significantly.
Start Up Costs for Moving to the Cayman Islands
When moving into your new home, you’ll need to cover a few deposits that increase overall start-up costs. So, you need to make sure that you budget properly for them.
BCQS Rentals helps organise and communicate moving-in costs between landlords of BCQS-managed properties and new tenants, keeping the process simple and transparent for the benefit of all parties.
Security Deposit
This is equal to one month’s rent and is required to secure the unit and remove it from the market. Some owners offer the flexibility to pay this over the first 2 months; if moving costs make that an appealing prospect, make sure you let your agent know up front.
First Month’s Rent
This is due at the commencement of your tenancy. If you’re moving mid-month, the first month will likely be prorated so that your rent will be due on the first of the month for the remainder of the lease.
Water Deposit
Sometimes an owner wishes to leave the water account in their name but can change the billing to the tenant’s address; in this case, it is common that the owner will charge a $150 water deposit to ensure that the final bill of the tenancy is paid after the lease ends. On providing proof of payment, along with a copy of the final bill, the deposit will be returned to you.
Pet Deposit
The standard pet deposit/fee is $500. This goes towards the cleaning of the upholstery in the unit as well as sanitising the vent ducts to ensure all dander is removed.
Any more Questions?
If we’ve missed any costs or you have further concerns about moving to the Cayman Islands, get in touch! As a local Cayman business for over 30 years, BCQS will be able to help answer any of your concerns, keeping you on track to make the big move to our amazing islands!
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