😐A single person spends $1,154 per month in Arima vs $935 in Marabella, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,909 per month in Arima vs $1,625 in Marabella, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,664 per month in Arima vs $2,315 in Marabella, rent included.
😐Arima costs about 23% more than Marabella, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Arima and Marabella are more affordable than the global median – Arima13% lower, Marabella30% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.78TTD 59.0
$10.46TTD 70.3
-16.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.7TTD 502
$89.2TTD 599
-16.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.61TTD 51.1
$7.23TTD 48.52
5.26%
Cappuccino
$2.36TTD 15.84
$3.59TTD 24.11
-34.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.01TTD 6.78
$1.06TTD 7.11
-4.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70TTD 4.72
$0.77TTD 5.18
-9.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.60TTD 10.72
$1.84TTD 12.32
-13.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98TTD 20.01
$3.04TTD 20.43
-1.97%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.24TTD 15.02
$2.64TTD 17.73
-15.15%
White Bread(500g)
$2.35TTD 15.79
$2.82TTD 18.92
-16.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.29TTD 15.38
$2.66TTD 17.84
-13.91%
Eggs
$4.28TTD 28.71
$5.11TTD 34.32
-16.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.14TTD 41.23
$7.74TTD 52.0
-20.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79TTD 38.87
$10.51TTD 70.6
-44.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.24TTD 28.49
$14.15TTD 95.0
-70.04%
Apples(1kg)
$5.72TTD 38.40
$5.68TTD 38.17
0.70%
Banana(1kg)
$2.03TTD 13.64
$2.62TTD 17.57
-22.52%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.32TTD 29.03
$4.28TTD 28.77
0.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.38TTD 29.44
$4.70TTD 31.56
-6.81%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00TTD 6.70
$1.47TTD 9.89
-31.97%
Onion(1kg)
$0.82TTD 5.53
$1.73TTD 11.64
-52.60%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44TTD 9.69
$1.88TTD 12.62
-23.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.20TTD 8.04
$1.39TTD 9.37
-13.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.16TTD 27.91
$5.74TTD 38.51
-27.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.94TTD 127
$17.86TTD 120
6.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95TTD 13.12
$2.22TTD 14.94
-12.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74TTD 18.41
$2.69TTD 18.06
1.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Arima
Marabella
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.82TTD 5.52
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.00TTD 6.73
$1.06TTD 7.10
-5.66%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.72TTD 4.83
$1.29TTD 8.64
-44.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.52TTD 97.5
$14.53TTD 97.5
-0.07%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01TTD 6.80
$1.10TTD 7.36
-8.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8KTTD 180.0K
$34.5KTTD 231.9K
-22.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2KTTD 182.9K
$37.8KTTD 253.6K
-27.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.5TTD 547
$81.3TTD 546
0.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$45.14TTD 303
$47.00TTD 316
-3.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.0TTD 423
$60.9TTD 409
3.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.29TTD 324
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.10TTD 34.23
$9.95TTD 66.8
-48.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$134TTD 901
$324TTD 2,173
-58.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,162TTD 48.1K
$7,122TTD 47.8K
0.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.4TTD 352
$60.2TTD 404
-12.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.95TTD 181
$37.85TTD 254
-28.80%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$125TTD 839
$146TTD 982
-14.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.6TTD 494
$126TTD 848
-41.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Arima
Marabella
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482TTD 3,237
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$356TTD 2,392
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$839TTD 5,637
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715TTD 4,799
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,190TTD 7,993
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3
5.38
-44.24%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Arima: July 26, 2026
Last update for Marabella: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $75.0 in Arima versus $89.0 in Marabella. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $290 vs $373 – 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 Marabella: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Arima or Marabella?
Arima costs about 23% more than Marabella, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Marabella?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,731 per month in Arima and $1,403 in Marabella. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Arima compared to Marabella?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,154 in Arima and $935 in Marabella. 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 Marabella?
Kindergarten costs $134 per month in Arima and $324 in Marabella. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Arima or in Marabella?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Marabella, where all-in costs run around $935, than in Arima at $1,154. In Marabella it covers expenses comfortably, while in Arima it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Marabella – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Arima or to Marabella?
If budget matters most, go with Marabella. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Arima makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.