St. John's vs Antigua: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in St. John's vs Antigua: St. John's runs about $1,980/mo all-in vs $1,140/mo in Antigua — Antigua is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and…
Antigua is the cheaper base — roughly $840/mo less all-in, St. John's scores higher for safety, and internet is comparable in both. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: Antigua is about $840/mo cheaper — $1,140/mo all-in vs $1,980/mo in St. John's (one person).
- Rent: lower in Antigua ($600/mo vs $1,100/mo for a typical place).
- Safety: St. John's rates higher (76/100 for St. John's vs 70/100 for Antigua).
- Internet: both solid for remote work (70/100 vs 70/100).
- Climate: comparable year-round (90/100 vs 90/100).
- Visa: easier to move to St. John's — St. John's's process is rated Easy, Antigua's Very Easy.
- Retirement/long-stay: both have options — St. John's via the Antigua & Barbuda Permanent Residence, Antigua via the Guatemala Pensionado Residency.
- Families: St. John's rates safer for family life (76/100 vs 70/100 family safety).
- Local salaries: higher in St. John's (~$1,100/mo vs ~$600/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Sunshine: St. John's logs about 300 sunny days a year vs 270 in Antigua.
Frequently asked questions
Is St. John's or Antigua cheaper to live in?
St. John's costs about $1,980/month all-in for one person; Antigua costs about $1,140/month. That makes Antigua roughly $840/mo cheaper, though rent, food, and lifestyle choices shift the total.
How much cheaper is Antigua than St. John's?
About $840/month for a single person — $1,140/mo in Antigua vs $1,980/mo in St. John's, covering rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities, and everyday extras.
Which is safer, St. John's or Antigua?
St. John's scores higher on Jonzy's safety index (76/100 for St. John's vs 70/100 for Antigua). Both are catalog averages — feelings of safety also vary by neighbourhood and time of day.
Which is better for remote work and digital nomads, St. John's or Antigua?
For connectivity, both are solid (70/100 vs 70/100). On climate, they're comparable (90/100 vs 90/100). Jonzy scores both against your income, passport, and priorities so you see which fits your setup.
Which is easier to get a visa for, St. John's or Antigua?
St. John's's visa process is rated Easy (about 2 weeks); Antigua's is rated Very Easy (about no formal wait). Your passport changes the answer — run a visa check for both in Jonzy.
Can I compare St. John's and Antigua for my situation?
Yes, open Jonzy, enter your income and passport, and get personalised Life Upgrade Scores for both cities. You can also share a side-by-side comparison link with a partner.