😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,291 in Chaguanas versus $1,098 in Tobago.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,025 in Chaguanas versus $1,867 in Tobago.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,760 in Chaguanas versus $2,635 in Tobago.
😐Living in Chaguanas is roughly 18% more expensive than Tobago, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Chaguanas4% lower, Tobago18% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.28TTD 49.42
$9.02TTD 61.3
-19.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$90.0TTD 611
$67.4TTD 458
33.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.55TTD 51.2
$7.25TTD 49.21
4.14%
Cappuccino
$3.05TTD 20.70
$3.79TTD 25.72
-19.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08TTD 7.37
$0.95TTD 6.48
13.68%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77TTD 5.23
$0.88TTD 5.97
-12.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.88TTD 12.78
$3.76TTD 25.54
-50.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65TTD 17.96
$2.90TTD 19.69
-8.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.69TTD 18.30
$2.32TTD 15.78
15.95%
White Bread(500g)
$2.30TTD 15.62
$2.36TTD 16.04
-2.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.67TTD 18.14
$2.90TTD 19.69
-7.93%
Eggs
$4.03TTD 27.38
$4.51TTD 30.61
-10.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.83TTD 53.1
$7.60TTD 51.6
3.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.45TTD 64.2
$7.28TTD 49.44
29.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.34TTD 83.8
$7.24TTD 49.17
70.44%
Apples(1kg)
$4.50TTD 30.54
$6.77TTD 45.97
-33.53%
Banana(1kg)
$2.60TTD 17.65
$2.46TTD 16.71
5.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.70TTD 25.15
$3.03TTD 20.54
22.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.45TTD 30.21
$2.98TTD 20.25
49.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.47TTD 10.01
$1.21TTD 8.21
21.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.70TTD 11.57
$1.19TTD 8.10
42.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.49TTD 10.14
$1.63TTD 11.04
-8.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.23TTD 8.35
$1.30TTD 8.85
-5.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.63TTD 31.45
$4.87TTD 33.10
-4.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.53TTD 119
$20.44TTD 139
-14.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17TTD 14.74
$3.37TTD 22.85
-35.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82TTD 19.12
$3.47TTD 23.55
-18.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.24TTD 8.43
$0.71TTD 4.83
74.65%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.00TTD 6.81
$0.71TTD 4.85
40.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.04TTD 7.05
$0.72TTD 4.87
44.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.07TTD 102
$15.23TTD 103
-1.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.97TTD 6.57
$1.04TTD 7.04
-6.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.2KTTD 225.4K
$26.6KTTD 180.6K
24.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.2KTTD 246.1K
$39.6KTTD 269.1K
-8.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8TTD 549
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$46.53TTD 316
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.8TTD 351
$60.1TTD 408
-13.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.92TTD 298
$54.9TTD 373
-20.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.38TTD 200
$14.82TTD 101
98.25%
Cinema Ticket
$8.90TTD 60.4
$7.37TTD 50.0
20.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$319TTD 2,164
$96.3TTD 654
230.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,197TTD 48.9K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.7TTD 371
$51.9TTD 352
5.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.52TTD 262
$46.51TTD 316
-17.18%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$134TTD 910
$155TTD 1,056
-13.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118TTD 799
$69.6TTD 472
69.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$439TTD 2,978
$402TTD 2,728
9.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$378TTD 2,563
$339TTD 2,299
11.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$634TTD 4,303
$811TTD 5,503
-21.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$536TTD 3,638
$665TTD 4,513
-19.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chaguanas
Tobago
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$943TTD 6,405
$665TTD 4,513
41.93%
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: April 28, 2026
Last update for Tobago: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $439 in Chaguanas and $402 in Tobago. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Chaguanas pays 42% 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 $67.0 in Tobago for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $340 vs $326 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 18% 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 42% 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: $439 in Chaguanas versus $402 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 $1,291 per month in Chaguanas versus $1,098 in Tobago – a 18% 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 $1,098 in Tobago versus $1,291 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 18% less than in Chaguanas. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.