😐A single person spends $1,162 per month in Arima vs $943 in Marabella, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,901 per month in Arima vs $1,641 in Marabella, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,639 per month in Arima vs $2,339 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
$8.65TTD 58.8
$10.24TTD 69.5
-15.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$72.8TTD 494
$89.1TTD 605
-18.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.30TTD 49.59
$7.54TTD 51.2
-3.18%
Cappuccino
$2.31TTD 15.67
$3.78TTD 25.69
-38.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94TTD 6.39
$1.10TTD 7.47
-14.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75TTD 5.11
$0.76TTD 5.18
-1.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.65TTD 11.19
$1.82TTD 12.34
-9.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98TTD 20.26
$3.03TTD 20.61
-1.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.24TTD 15.24
$2.74TTD 18.60
-18.25%
White Bread(500g)
$2.37TTD 16.11
$2.74TTD 18.59
-13.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.30TTD 15.63
$2.56TTD 17.40
-10.16%
Eggs
$4.22TTD 28.63
$4.91TTD 33.34
-14.05%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.21TTD 42.16
$7.79TTD 52.9
-20.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.72TTD 38.83
$10.38TTD 70.5
-44.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.25TTD 28.86
$14.57TTD 98.9
-70.83%
Apples(1kg)
$5.91TTD 40.10
$5.69TTD 38.61
3.87%
Banana(1kg)
$1.96TTD 13.33
$2.52TTD 17.13
-22.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.42TTD 29.99
$4.43TTD 30.08
-0.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.49TTD 30.47
$4.81TTD 32.63
-6.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00TTD 6.77
$1.44TTD 9.79
-30.56%
Onion(1kg)
$0.78TTD 5.31
$1.73TTD 11.71
-54.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44TTD 9.80
$1.97TTD 13.38
-26.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.20TTD 8.17
$1.47TTD 9.98
-18.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.19TTD 28.48
$6.03TTD 40.97
-30.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.55TTD 133
$19.73TTD 134
-0.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.90TTD 12.90
$2.12TTD 14.38
-10.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73TTD 18.52
$2.76TTD 18.73
-1.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Arima
Marabella
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.80TTD 5.43
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.95TTD 6.42
$1.06TTD 7.18
-10.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.72TTD 4.92
$1.24TTD 8.41
-41.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.71TTD 99.9
$14.59TTD 99.1
0.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.92TTD 6.28
$1.14TTD 7.74
-19.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.0KTTD 183.2K
$34.1KTTD 231.3K
-20.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3KTTD 185.2K
$37.8KTTD 256.8K
-27.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$79.5TTD 540
$79.1TTD 537
0.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.40TTD 301
$47.09TTD 320
-5.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.0TTD 427
$60.8TTD 413
3.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.51TTD 329
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.10TTD 34.63
$9.96TTD 67.6
-48.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$131TTD 889
$328TTD 2,228
-60.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,130TTD 48.4K
$7,263TTD 49.3K
-1.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.7TTD 351
$59.3TTD 402
-12.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.67TTD 181
$37.90TTD 257
-29.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$126TTD 858
$148TTD 1,003
-14.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.8TTD 508
$126TTD 859
-40.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Arima
Marabella
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475TTD 3,222
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$362TTD 2,457
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$847TTD 5,748
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$705TTD 4,788
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Arima
Marabella
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,190TTD 8,077
-
-
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Marabella: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $73.0 in Arima versus $89.0 in Marabella. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $292 vs $378 – 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 vs Marabella?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,744 per month in Arima and $1,414 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 $1,162 in Arima and $943 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 Marabella?
Kindergarten costs $131 per month in Arima and $328 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 Marabella?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Marabella, where all-in costs run around $943, than in Arima at $1,162. 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 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.