Cost of Living Comparison Between Arima and Diego Martin Cost of Living Comparison Between Arima and Diego Martin

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,258 per month in Arima vs $1,365 in Diego Martin, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,135 per month in Arima vs $2,323 in Diego Martin, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,012 per month in Arima vs $3,282 in Diego Martin, rent included.

Arima is about 8% cheaper than Diego Martin, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Arima and Diego Martin are more affordable than the global median – Arima 9% lower, Diego Martin 1% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Arima
Diego Martin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.23 TTD 69.0
$10.14 TTD 68.4
0.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.7 TTD 504
$90.2 TTD 608
-17.17%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.92 TTD 60.1
$8.91 TTD 60.1
0.11%
Cappuccino
$3.66 TTD 24.66
$3.81 TTD 25.67
-3.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04 TTD 6.98
$1.17 TTD 7.86
-11.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 TTD 4.80
$0.73 TTD 4.90
-2.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.85 TTD 12.48
$2.24 TTD 15.07
-17.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99 TTD 20.16
$2.87 TTD 19.32
4.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Arima
Diego Martin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.45 TTD 16.52
$2.47 TTD 16.66
-0.81%
White Bread (500g)
$2.40 TTD 16.20
$2.33 TTD 15.68
3.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.78 TTD 18.72
$2.94 TTD 19.79
-5.44%
Eggs
$4.37 TTD 29.47
$4.26 TTD 28.73
2.58%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.80 TTD 45.85
$6.69 TTD 45.10
1.64%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.35 TTD 42.78
$10.26 TTD 69.2
-38.11%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.70 TTD 58.7
$9.05 TTD 61.0
-3.87%
Apples (1kg)
$5.53 TTD 37.30
$5.39 TTD 36.35
2.60%
Banana (1kg)
$2.20 TTD 14.85
$2.44 TTD 16.45
-9.84%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.72 TTD 25.07
$3.60 TTD 24.29
3.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.03 TTD 33.89
$4.26 TTD 28.74
18.08%
Potato (1kg)
$1.34 TTD 9.01
$0.77 TTD 5.16
74.03%
Onion (1kg)
$0.96 TTD 6.46
$0.77 TTD 5.16
24.68%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.34 TTD 9.05
$1.44 TTD 9.69
-6.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91 TTD 6.15
$1.21 TTD 8.13
-24.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.78 TTD 32.22
$5.57 TTD 37.54
-14.18%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.79 TTD 127
$17.70 TTD 119
6.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 TTD 12.39
$1.50 TTD 10.10
22.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99 TTD 20.19
$2.99 TTD 20.15
-
🚌 Getting Around
Arima
Diego Martin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.02 TTD 6.85
$0.87 TTD 5.83
17.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$72.4 TTD 488
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.70 TTD 4.75
$1.00 TTD 6.76
-30.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.75 TTD 5.09
$0.84 TTD 5.69
-10.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$14.47 TTD 97.5
$14.65 TTD 98.8
-1.23%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 TTD 7.80
$1.17 TTD 7.89
-0.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7K TTD 186.9K
$15.0K TTD 101.1K
84.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.3K TTD 244.7K
$41.2K TTD 277.8K
-11.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Arima
Diego Martin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$92.2 TTD 622
$45.02 TTD 304
104.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.61 TTD 301
$41.64 TTD 281
7.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.0 TTD 377
$44.93 TTD 303
24.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Arima
Diego Martin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.3 TTD 346
$44.34 TTD 299
15.76%
Cinema Ticket
$8.81 TTD 59.4
$8.87 TTD 59.8
-0.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Arima
Diego Martin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$174 TTD 1,176
$396 TTD 2,667
-55.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.0K TTD 74.2K
$10.8K TTD 72.5K
2.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Arima
Diego Martin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.8 TTD 424
$53.9 TTD 363
16.56%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.36 TTD 299
$36.95 TTD 249
20.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$144 TTD 970
$88.0 TTD 593
63.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.0 TTD 506
$89.2 TTD 602
-15.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Arima
Diego Martin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$526 TTD 3,543
$665 TTD 4,484
-20.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$369 TTD 2,488
$440 TTD 2,969
-16.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,046 TTD 7,055
$1,461 TTD 9,852
-28.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$889 TTD 5,995
$954 TTD 6,433
-6.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Arima
Diego Martin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,187 TTD 8,000
$1,802 TTD 12.1K
-34.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.75
5.75
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Arima: September 6, 2026

Last update for Diego Martin: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $526 in Arima versus $665 in Diego Martin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 52% higher in Diego Martin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $75.0 in Arima versus $90.0 in Diego Martin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $311 vs $326 – making Arima the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Arima vs Diego Martin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Arima or Diego Martin?
Diego Martin costs about 9% more than Arima, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Arima and in Diego Martin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,886 per month in Arima and $2,047 in Diego Martin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Arima or Diego Martin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Arima, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Arima compared to Diego Martin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,258 in Arima and $1,365 in Diego Martin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Arima and in Diego Martin?
Kindergarten costs $174 per month in Arima and $396 in Diego Martin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Arima or in Diego Martin?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Arima, where all-in costs run around $1,258, than in Diego Martin at $1,365. In Arima it covers expenses comfortably, while in Diego Martin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Arima – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Arima compared to Diego Martin?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Arima or to Diego Martin?
If budget matters most, go with Arima. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Diego Martin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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