😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,263 in Chaguanas versus $1,121 in Tobago.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,026 in Chaguanas versus $1,872 in Tobago.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,789 in Chaguanas versus $2,623 in Tobago.
😐Living in Chaguanas is roughly 13% more expensive than Tobago, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Chaguanas6% lower, Tobago17% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.18TTD 48.53
$9.05TTD 61.2
-20.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$90.1TTD 609
$65.2TTD 441
38.16%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.32TTD 49.49
$7.27TTD 49.13
0.69%
Cappuccino
$3.15TTD 21.28
$3.72TTD 25.17
-15.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05TTD 7.09
$0.95TTD 6.43
10.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83TTD 5.64
$0.88TTD 5.96
-5.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.81TTD 12.23
$3.80TTD 25.69
-52.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68TTD 18.13
$2.98TTD 20.12
-10.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.64TTD 17.86
$2.31TTD 15.63
14.29%
White Bread(500g)
$2.18TTD 14.72
$2.38TTD 16.12
-8.40%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.70TTD 18.24
$3.03TTD 20.49
-10.89%
Eggs
$4.18TTD 28.25
$4.53TTD 30.60
-7.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.11TTD 54.9
$7.30TTD 49.38
11.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.15TTD 61.9
$7.26TTD 49.07
26.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.68TTD 85.7
$7.27TTD 49.17
74.42%
Apples(1kg)
$4.60TTD 31.07
$6.84TTD 46.26
-32.75%
Banana(1kg)
$2.61TTD 17.67
$2.36TTD 15.94
10.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.58TTD 24.21
$2.93TTD 19.84
22.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.39TTD 29.67
$2.93TTD 19.82
49.83%
Potato(1kg)
$1.43TTD 9.65
$1.16TTD 7.81
23.28%
Onion(1kg)
$1.66TTD 11.22
$1.21TTD 8.21
37.19%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.52TTD 10.26
$1.55TTD 10.51
-1.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24TTD 8.37
$1.26TTD 8.55
-1.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.76TTD 32.16
$4.89TTD 33.07
-2.66%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.32TTD 124
$22.42TTD 152
-18.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10TTD 14.22
$3.28TTD 22.16
-35.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72TTD 18.38
$3.43TTD 23.19
-20.70%
🚌 Getting Around
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.29TTD 8.71
$0.72TTD 4.86
79.17%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.06TTD 7.14
$0.76TTD 5.11
39.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.07TTD 7.21
$0.72TTD 4.86
48.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.68TTD 99.2
$15.39TTD 104
-4.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.96TTD 6.48
$1.02TTD 6.91
-5.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.1KTTD 223.5K
$26.3KTTD 178.1K
25.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.1KTTD 250.6K
$40.2KTTD 271.6K
-7.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$79.2TTD 536
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.23TTD 319
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.6TTD 349
$59.6TTD 403
-13.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.85TTD 303
$53.8TTD 364
-16.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.40TTD 199
$15.06TTD 102
95.22%
Cinema Ticket
$9.08TTD 61.4
$7.57TTD 51.2
19.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316TTD 2,139
$97.8TTD 661
223.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,267TTD 49.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3TTD 380
$52.6TTD 356
6.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.88TTD 256
$46.93TTD 317
-19.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$136TTD 922
$153TTD 1,033
-10.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121TTD 816
$68.6TTD 464
75.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435TTD 2,938
$404TTD 2,730
7.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$385TTD 2,601
$351TTD 2,372
9.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$612TTD 4,139
$826TTD 5,585
-25.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$547TTD 3,698
$675TTD 4,563
-18.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$803TTD 5,426
$739TTD 4,997
8.58%
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: June 7, 2026
Last update for Tobago: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $435 in Chaguanas and $404 in Tobago. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Chaguanas pays 9% 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: $90.0 in Chaguanas vs $65.0 in Tobago for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $340 vs $327 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 13% 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 Tobago?
Chaguanas pays 9% more on average, 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 vs Tobago?
Rent for a central apartment: $435 in Chaguanas versus $404 in Tobago. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Chaguanas or Tobago?
Supermarket bills run roughly 4% 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 $1,263 per month in Chaguanas versus $1,121 in Tobago – a 13% 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 Tobago?
At $1,121 in Tobago versus $1,263 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 13% less than in Chaguanas. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.