St. Croix is one of the largest USVI among the other 3 virgin islands of the US: St. Thomas, Water Island, and St. John. It’s home to stunning peaceful beaches, lively suburbs, and adventurous recreations throughout the territory to explore.
Besides that, its beauty, acquirement, and entertainment scenes attract a lot of immigrants to move to St. Croix every year.
But, before relocating from the mainland to the territories, people come up with lots of questions in their mind, to which we have everything covered with how to make it successful, along with other queries regarding the St. Croix. So, Read on!
Is St. Croix a US territory?
St. Croix is a US territory, but this is managed as an imprisoned port in a different customs area out of the United States.
Are citizens of St. Croix U.S. citizens?
Yes, the citizens of St. Croix have been US citizens since 1927.
1. Is St. Croix safe?
St. Croix is a moderately safe place to live in but it’s safe for visitors and tourism. Crimes occur mostly in cities, communities, and families, not in tourist areas.

The crime rate in St. Croix averages 50 crimes per 100,000 people i.e. about 73% which is higher than the overall crime rate of the US average of 40%.
Despite the serious violent crime rate, St. Croix is a safe place to live, if you stay away from criminal activities and crimes off the street.
Locals commit the vast majority of crimes in St. Croix indulging in gangs, assaults, rapes, drugs, domestic violence, and thefts.
Tourists aren’t the main target audience here, but it is advised to avoid crowds. crime-zoned areas, and travel during the night.
People moving to St. Croix Virgin Islands with family are advised to make good friends, take care of their family, and be on their own as much as possible while living on the island.
Port areas, Frederiksted, and Christiansted are the main bad areas to avoid in St. Croix.
The table below compares the crime rate of St. Croix with the US national average from a value of 100.
Crime types | St. Croix, USVI | USA |
---|---|---|
Violent crime | 77 | 22.7 |
Property crime | 60 | 34.4 |
2. Things you need to move to St. Croix
Relocating to St. Croix comes with requirements of personal documents and certificates for identification while traveling and settling down.
The island follows the immigration policies same as the rest of the United States because St. Croix is a part of the US.
You will need a passport, or traveler card to travel to St. Croix. Although a Visa is not required for a U.S. citizen, non-Americans need a U.S. visa to enter the country.
But for those relocating from other parts of the world, here is the list of documents one must keep:
- Legal birth certificate (with a raised seal)
- US valid passport
- US valid driving license.
- US work permit.
- Photo identity card issued by any United States.
- A military identity card.
3. Why Move to St. Croix?
People move to St. Croix to get well-salaried employment, affordable housing, and other amenities to lead a settled life.

In St. Croix, they enjoy a wealth of laid-back island vibe, scenic beauty of nature and beaches, lower crime rates, reasonably constant weather scenes, and rich history, culture, and heritage, that are different from the mainland.
St. Croix is a futuristic territory in the USVI with a total St. Croix population of 45,000 residents.
It is famous for its white sand beaches, clear waters, and coral reefs, which provide scenic views for scuba divers and snorkelers.
Besides, you can also experience dynamic city life with excellent night scenes and tourists every time in the island interiors.
What to expect from island life in St. Croix?
All in all, living in St. Croix you can expect:
- Enormous warm clear water beaches.
- Relaxed Beach lifestyle.
- Stable US currency.
- Lower crime rate than other USVIs.
- No snowfall, and no rainstorms, but a steady tropical climate & sometimes hurricane threats.
- Lower housing and real estate prices, and easily available new homes.
- Cultural richness, festivals, and events year-round.
- Proximity to beautiful landscapes, water activities, casinos, golfing, dining, shopping, and more.
- No loads of paying taxes.
4. Things to Know Before Moving to St. Croix USVI
There are more important things to know in detail than the above information given before moving and settling on this virgin island. So, let’s find out!
5. Living in St. Croix
Living in St. Croix Virgin Islands is all about leading a great laid-back island life with the Frederiksted and Christiansted.
This tropical paradise is a perfect blend of beauty, attainment, and entertainment, enough to start a new life.
Residents’ life on St. Croix Island is very relaxed and they have access to the full protection of the American legal system.
St. Croix is a good place to live in as you will get to live a laid-back beach life, strong currency stunning beaches, and reliable weather conditions, making it a fantastic place to live.
People in St. Croix Island are very friendly, helpful and welcoming. English is the official language in St. Croix since the 1700s. Before then, Danish was widely spoken by the people of this island.
6. Cost of Living in St. Croix
The cost of living in St. Croix is 139, which means it is 39% more expensive than the US, and the other two USVIs.

According to the WalletHub 2023 rankings, St. Croix has been ranked the #1 best place to live in the USVIs, 447th/2202 in the US, and 506th/9294 in the world for living.
The average monthly cost of living (including rent) in St. Thomas for a single person is $2500 and for a family of four is $6800.
The annual median salary (excluding taxes) to live in St. Thomas is $83,000, or $40/hr, which is one of the highest in all the USVI.
The minimum wage in St. Croix is $11 per hour. This is probably one of the reasons to move to Rhode Island.
Below is a comparison table of the cost of living expenses on various items in St. Croix, to that of the national average per month.
Cost of Living Index (per month) | St. Croix | USA |
---|---|---|
Food & Groceries | $730 | $440 |
Housing cost | $250,000 | $416,000 |
Rent cost | $1300 | $1702 |
Utilities | $200 | $400 |
Transportation | $80 | $100-$300 |
Health | $500 | $560 |
Miscellaneous | $450 | $150 |
Source: https://www.quora.com/How-costly-is-US-Virgin-Islands.
7. St. Croix Weather
St. Croix has a polar Savanna Climate. This means the territory receives a hot humid climate with some hurricane season; mild cold winters along with less rainfall and no snowfall.
St. Croix exists in an endless summer zone. This means you can never feel a cold season, but only feel a humid, warm, oppressive, and partly cloudy sky in the morning.
Croix is situated nearer to the equator and remains surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Therefore, the territory is vulnerable to annual hurricanes that range from June to November.
The average temperature during the warm season in St. Croix ranges from 70-89°F and never goes down below 67°F or increases above 91°F.
The coldest months have an average maximum temperature of 77°F, which reduces down to 59°F. December to May is the best month to visit St. Croix
Best time to visit St Croix by months
Months | Season | Weather conditions in St. Croix |
---|---|---|
June-August | Summer Season | Dry season of St.Croix.The busiest time of the year in St. CroixRainfall averages around 2.5 inches per month. Best time to hit the beach. Water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming become easy. Expensive flights, restaurants, and hotel costs. Temperature ranges from 70-8°F.2-5 sunny days.78% humidity. Experience warm temperatures, humidity, and warm breezes. |
September-November | Fall season | The cheapest time of the year to go to St. Croix.Cheaper airfares and hotel costs. Rainiest month with an average of 6.5 inches of rainfall every month. Threats of strong storms. Temperature ranges from 80 -85°F.3-6 sunny days per month.76% humidity.3-4 inches of rainfall per month. |
December – February | Winter Season | Best time to enjoy beaches and water activities. Temperature ranges from 75-79°F. Rainfall is 1-3 inches per month.5-8 sunny days. |
March-May | SpringSeason | Best time to enjoy beaches and water activities. Temperature ranges from 75-79°F.Rainfall is 1-3 inches per month.5-8 sunny days. |
8. Things to do in St Croix
Now that you have got a beautiful destination to stay in that USVI which is also an ideal vacation destination for more than 1 lakh tourists who visit St. Croix every year, let us look up to what all you can do and explore in St. Croix for all age groups.
Age group | Things to do in St. Croix |
---|---|
Singles | Has an amazing drink at Cranzan Rum Distillery.Horse Riding with Cruzan Cowgirls. Go on a hike to the Hams Bluff lighthouse. Enjoy the nightlife at any hotel, bar, or restaurant. |
Couples | Click some romantic shots at the Annaly Bay Tide Pools. Walk with your bay on the Christiansted boardwalk. Go scuba diving with your partner in diving STX. Pay a visit to Fort ChristiansvaernWitness the sunrise at the Point Udall. |
Kids | Spend your weekends at the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. Witness the Carambola Tide Pools. Enjoy the West Coast sunset. Party at the Rainbow Beach. |
Families | Visit the Salt River Bay National Historical Park And Ecological ReserveCheck out the stunning Saint George Village Botanical Gardens. Visit the D. Hamilton Jackson Park. Check out the Frederik Fort. |
retirees | Spend your weekends at the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge.Witness the Carambola Tide Pools. Enjoy the West Coast sunset. Party at the Rainbow Beach. |
9. Taxes in St. Croix
St. Croix doesn’t have any sales or income tax. However, it imposes a property tax, excise tax, and gross receipt tax on its residents.

St. Croix is a tax-free territory in the USVI that doesn’t impose any state, city, county, personal income, or sales tax.
However, it has a very low property tax rate of 0.37% of the asserted value. These taxes are paid on the IRS documents to the USVI government, called the mirror image taxation policy.
Types of Taxes | Tax rate |
---|---|
Income tax | Nil |
Sales tax | Nil |
Property tax | 0.37% |
Gross receipts tax | 4% |
Excise tax | 4% |
Source: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/bona-fide-residents-of-the-us-virgin-islands-tax-credits
10. Cost of Moving to St. Croix
The cost of moving to St. Croix from the US mainland ranges between $500 – $20,000.
However, the prices vary between companies, shipping time, weight of belongings, and location from where you are moving to.
The only way of moving from the mainlands to St. Croix with your households, vehicles, and belongings is through a moving company via cargo ships.
Before packing your belongings, contact a good shipping company to guide you with your relocation along with a quotation.
They will help you in clearing the moving customs, and determine the type of container you consider, which will let you know the forms to submit for your shipment.
Besides this, to send couriers from US states to St. Croix, DHL, USPS, and FedEx courier services with international shipping rates are applied, which makes items very costly.
Hence, a package less than 100 lbs is advisable for courier shipping in these territories.
11. The pros and cons of living in St.Croix
Before making a moving decision, it’s always important to be aware of the negative factors of St. Croix along with its positive factors.
This will help in dealing with and getting over the negative factors and leading a beautiful life in the city you have moved to.
So, here is a listicle contents of the pros and cons of living in St. Croix.
Pros
- St. Croix has perfect weather and consistent temperature.
- St. Croix residents are friendly and welcoming.
- Living in St. Croix Virgin Islands is affordable and cheap.
- Home to many beautiful beaches like Narragansett Beach, one of the best beaches in Rhode Island for families and kids.
- St. Croix’s food and wine in any cultural events highlight the island’s culinary scene.
Worst things about St. Croix
- Issues with both electricity and cell phone service.
- The crime rate is high, and it can be risky to travel there.
- Needs a major overhaul of its aging infrastructure.
- A Shortage of medical professionals because the country is so small.
- Multiple lifestyle changes will necessitate adjustment on this island.
12. The Best Area to Stay in St Croix
If you are looking for a place to stay in St. Croix, you will not be short of options. There are many high-end communities, villa complexes, and cosy suburbs, in almost all areas of the island.
The following are just a few of the stunning areas available on St. Croix.
- Christiansted: This vibrant town is one of two on the entire island and is home to numerous hotels, restaurants, and boutiques. The Caribbean Sea can be viewed from the boardwalk at the waterfront, where you can perform scuba diving, snorkeling, and sailing.
- Cane Bay: Located on the north side, Cane Bay is the most stunning area. The beach at Cane Bay is world-famous, and the area is also a hotspot for scuba and snorkeling enthusiasts.
- Shoys: Shoys is full of picturesque shorelines. There are plenty of places to swim and sunbathe, from the beaches at local hotels to the popular Shoys Beach.
- Frederiksted: The town offers the ideal balance of culture, beach relaxation, and an authentic Caribbean atmosphere. Most of the population in St. Croix likes this spot because of its vibrant culture.
- North Shore: This area is conveniently located near Christiansted and offers a wide variety of land- and water-based recreational options. Beautiful bioluminescent marine life illuminates the waters of Salt River Bay on the North Shore after dark.
Moving to St. Croix FAQ
How do you get to St Croix?
You can reach St. Croix’s Henry Rohlsen Airport through Spirit, American Airlines, and Delta.
Is St. Croix suitable for retirees?
Yes, St. Croix is a suitable place for retirees as older people want to settle down in a quiet place, lead a simple lifestyle, and be away from city life after their retirement.
Is internet and phone service available at St. Croix?
No internet and cell phone services are not available in St. Croix. You will get a landline, telephone, digital cable television, cellular phone service, and wireless internet to get in touch with the other parts of the world.
Can you carry your pet to St. Croix?
Yes, you can carry your pet to St. Croix by getting the FAA regulations from any airport.
Can you go around without a car in St. Croix?
Yes, you can get around without a car or any private vehicle in St. Croix by using public buses, rental cars, and taxis.
Which is better to visit, St. Croix or St. Thomas?
People relocated to St. Thomas find it a more vibrant and lively place than in St. Croix. So, it’s better to visit St. Croix if you want a peaceful and relaxed vacation along the beaches along with exploring other areas and amenities.
On the other hand, if you want lively nightlife, excellent tourism, cuisine, a shopping scene, and vibrant beach life, then go for St. Thomas.
Conclusion
We like your decision to relocate to St. Croix, away from the hustle-bustle of the mainland.
It’s never easy to choose a territory as a new location, over states, which are diverse but have several insufficiency and challenges.
After all, it all depends on what you want and what type of person you are. If you crave some adventure, excitement, and a slow-paced life, along with strong attainment, St. Croix will be a great place to call home.
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