On average, St. Croix is neither cheap nor stupid-expensive. Some things, like ground coffee, are ridiculously expensive. Other things, like rum, are ridiculously cheap. Restaurant meals are on par with the Mainland. It all seems to balance out, relative to typical US costs.
Below are some of the costs we encountered on St. Croix in April of 2016.
First, some food items at a grocery store:
– Limes: US $0.50 each
– Cucumbers: US $1.99 per pound
– Head of Green Leaf Lettuce: US $1.99
– Red Onions: US $1.99 per pound
– Baking Potatoes: US $0.99 per pound
– Hass Avocados: US $1.50 each
– Gallon of B0ttled Water: US $1.50
– 12-Pack of Coca-Cola: US $5.49
– Grey Poupon Mustard, 8 oz Jar: US $4.49
– Loaf of Artisan Bread: US $5.99
– Loaf of Kraft Sandwich Bread: US $2.99
– One Dozen Organic Eggs: US $6.99
– Starbucks Ground Coffee, 12 Ounces: US $14.99
– Bottle of Louisiana Hot Sauce: US $2.29
– Bag of Doritos Chips: US $5.49
– Bottle of Perrier Mineral Water: US $2.79
– Carton of Orange Juice: US $5.49
Now, some drink items at a grocery store:
– Cruzan Dark Rum, 1 Liter Bottle: US $7.49
– 6-Pack of Red Stripe Beer: US $8.99
– 6-Pack of Virgin Islands Brewery Beer: US $12.99
– 6-Pack of Corona Beer: US $9.99
At the restaurant:
– Restaurant Lunch Main Course: US $10.00 – US $12.00 (average)
– Restaurant or Pub Beer: US $4.00 (average)
Finally, the rental car:
– Economy Rental Car: US $42 per day
– Gasoline: US $2.70 per gallon