😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,251 in Chaguanas versus $1,113 in Tobago.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,023 in Chaguanas versus $1,862 in Tobago.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,794 in Chaguanas versus $2,611 in Tobago.
🌍Living in Chaguanas is roughly 12% more expensive than in Tobago, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Chaguanas6% lower, Tobago16% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.36TTD 49.42
$8.83TTD 59.3
-16.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.9TTD 597
$66.9TTD 449
32.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.49TTD 50.3
$7.35TTD 49.32
1.90%
Cappuccino
$3.12TTD 20.93
$3.63TTD 24.40
-14.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04TTD 6.99
$0.92TTD 6.18
13.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76TTD 5.12
$0.86TTD 5.81
-11.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.83TTD 12.30
$3.60TTD 24.19
-49.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63TTD 17.69
$3.02TTD 20.27
-12.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.55TTD 17.13
$2.35TTD 15.79
8.51%
White Bread(500g)
$2.22TTD 14.91
$2.29TTD 15.35
-3.06%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.69TTD 18.09
$3.01TTD 20.19
-10.63%
Eggs
$4.10TTD 27.56
$4.68TTD 31.41
-12.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.76TTD 52.1
$7.50TTD 50.4
3.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.16TTD 61.5
$7.54TTD 50.6
21.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.47TTD 83.8
$7.49TTD 50.3
66.49%
Apples(1kg)
$4.67TTD 31.37
$6.94TTD 46.63
-32.71%
Banana(1kg)
$2.54TTD 17.09
$2.46TTD 16.54
3.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.68TTD 24.71
$3.04TTD 20.43
21.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.42TTD 29.68
$3.04TTD 20.40
45.39%
Potato(1kg)
$1.45TTD 9.72
$1.17TTD 7.84
23.93%
Onion(1kg)
$1.74TTD 11.67
$1.19TTD 8.01
46.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44TTD 9.67
$1.57TTD 10.53
-8.28%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24TTD 8.33
$1.29TTD 8.68
-3.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.60TTD 30.86
$4.90TTD 32.88
-6.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.17TTD 135
$22.19TTD 149
-9.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.14TTD 14.35
$3.36TTD 22.59
-36.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70TTD 18.10
$3.44TTD 23.11
-21.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.29TTD 8.65
$0.73TTD 4.88
76.71%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.01TTD 6.81
$0.72TTD 4.84
40.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.07TTD 7.19
$0.71TTD 4.77
50.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.04TTD 101
$15.39TTD 103
-2.27%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91TTD 6.09
$0.99TTD 6.66
-8.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.8KTTD 220.3K
$26.8KTTD 179.6K
22.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.8KTTD 246.9K
$40.0KTTD 268.6K
-8.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8TTD 542
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.42TTD 318
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.8TTD 341
$60.3TTD 405
-15.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.79TTD 294
$54.9TTD 369
-20.21%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.35TTD 197
$15.05TTD 101
95.02%
Cinema Ticket
$8.74TTD 58.7
$7.17TTD 48.15
21.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$318TTD 2,133
$97.8TTD 657
224.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,344TTD 49.3K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.1TTD 377
$52.2TTD 350
7.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.92TTD 261
$47.12TTD 316
-17.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$136TTD 910
$154TTD 1,032
-11.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116TTD 781
$67.7TTD 454
71.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$427TTD 2,864
$417TTD 2,801
2.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$384TTD 2,579
$347TTD 2,332
10.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$636TTD 4,274
$817TTD 5,486
-22.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$547TTD 3,676
$662TTD 4,447
-17.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$778TTD 5,222
$729TTD 4,894
6.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.38
7
-23.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chaguanas: July 26, 2026
Last update for Tobago: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $427 in Chaguanas and $417 in Tobago. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Chaguanas pays 7% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $89.0 in Chaguanas vs $67.0 in Tobago for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $342 vs $332 per month, with Tobago cheaper across the board.
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
Chaguanas vs Tobago: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chaguanas or Tobago?
Tobago wins on cost – living expenses run 12% lower than in Chaguanas. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Tobago the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Chaguanas or in Tobago?
Average pay runs 7% higher in Chaguanas, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Chaguanas compared to Tobago?
Rent for a central apartment: $427 in Chaguanas versus $417 in Tobago. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Chaguanas or in Tobago?
Supermarket bills run roughly 3% higher in Chaguanas. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Chaguanas compared to Tobago?
All in, you'll spend $1,251 per month in Chaguanas versus $1,113 in Tobago – a 12% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Chaguanas or in Tobago?
At $1,113 in Tobago versus $1,251 in Chaguanas, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Tobago but tight or insufficient in Chaguanas. The gap between the two cities makes Tobago the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Chaguanas or Tobago?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Chaguanas compared to Tobago?
Safety-wise, Chaguanas and Tobago are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Tobago gentler on the wallet – expenses run 12% less than in Chaguanas. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.