🙂A single person spends $1,331 per month in Couva vs $1,573 in Port of Spain, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,087 per month in Couva vs $2,743 in Port of Spain, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,843 per month in Couva vs $3,913 in Port of Spain, rent included.
🙂Couva is about 15% cheaper than Port of Spain, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Couva sits 1% below the global median, while Port of Spain is 17% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Couva
Port of Spain
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.22TTD 68.5
$10.21TTD 68.4
0.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$89.1TTD 597
$89.4TTD 599
-0.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.19TTD 48.14
$7.31TTD 48.97
-1.64%
Cappuccino
$3.74TTD 25.04
$3.66TTD 24.54
2.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08TTD 7.25
$1.05TTD 7.01
2.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78TTD 5.25
$0.82TTD 5.50
-4.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.80TTD 12.04
$1.81TTD 12.13
-0.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01TTD 20.17
$3.05TTD 20.46
-1.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Couva
Port of Spain
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.75TTD 18.45
$2.63TTD 17.61
4.56%
White Bread(500g)
$2.81TTD 18.82
$2.71TTD 18.16
3.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.62TTD 17.57
$2.56TTD 17.16
2.34%
Eggs
$5.13TTD 34.37
$5.03TTD 33.73
1.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.72TTD 51.8
$7.98TTD 53.5
-3.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.58TTD 70.9
$10.31TTD 69.1
2.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.51TTD 97.2
$14.21TTD 95.2
2.11%
Apples(1kg)
$5.86TTD 39.25
$5.73TTD 38.38
2.27%
Banana(1kg)
$2.50TTD 16.75
$2.51TTD 16.79
-0.40%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.40TTD 29.47
$4.34TTD 29.05
1.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.76TTD 31.90
$4.82TTD 32.28
-1.24%
Potato(1kg)
$1.48TTD 9.93
$1.45TTD 9.71
2.07%
Onion(1kg)
$1.71TTD 11.45
$1.67TTD 11.18
2.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97TTD 13.20
$1.96TTD 13.15
0.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.46TTD 9.79
$1.47TTD 9.84
-0.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.06TTD 40.62
$5.77TTD 38.67
5.03%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.65TTD 125
$18.09TTD 121
3.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.21TTD 14.83
$2.17TTD 14.55
1.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85TTD 19.08
$2.85TTD 19.07
-
🚌 Getting Around
Couva
Port of Spain
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$1.06TTD 7.10
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$95.6TTD 641
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.05TTD 7.04
$1.05TTD 7.01
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.28TTD 8.56
$1.28TTD 8.56
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.63TTD 98.0
$14.91TTD 99.9
-1.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.10TTD 7.35
$1.09TTD 7.31
0.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.8KTTD 226.7K
$34.1KTTD 228.1K
-0.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5KTTD 258.2K
$38.0KTTD 254.6K
1.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Couva
Port of Spain
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.6TTD 540
$80.6TTD 540
-0.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$46.08TTD 309
$45.86TTD 307
0.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.0TTD 408
$61.2TTD 410
-0.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Couva
Port of Spain
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$53.7TTD 360
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.24TTD 88.7
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.11TTD 67.7
$10.05TTD 67.3
0.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Couva
Port of Spain
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$334TTD 2,239
$329TTD 2,203
1.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,129TTD 47.8K
$7,096TTD 47.5K
0.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Couva
Port of Spain
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.3TTD 397
$59.5TTD 398
-0.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.56TTD 258
$38.55TTD 258
0.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$146TTD 980
$144TTD 967
1.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$130TTD 870
$127TTD 849
2.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Couva
Port of Spain
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$407TTD 2,726
$759TTD 5,086
-46.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$385TTD 2,578
$479TTD 3,208
-19.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$524TTD 3,510
$1,841TTD 12.3K
-71.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$474TTD 3,174
$1,273TTD 8,526
-62.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,382TTD 29.4K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,724TTD 11.5K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Couva
Port of Spain
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$733TTD 4,908
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.38
5.38
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Couva: May 30, 2026
Last update for Port of Spain: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $407 in Couva versus $759 in Port of Spain. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Couva versus $89.0 in Port of Spain. Groceries tell a different story – $379 in Couva vs $373 in Port of Spain – so Port of Spain wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Couva vs Port of Spain: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Couva and Port of Spain compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,331 in Couva, $1,573 in Port of Spain – roughly 18% apart. Port of Spain costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Couva compared to Port of Spain?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,997 per month in Couva and $2,360 in Port of Spain. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Couva and Port of Spain?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Couva, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Couva or Port of Spain?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,331 in Couva and $1,573 in Port of Spain. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Couva and Port of Spain?
Kindergarten costs $334 per month in Couva and $329 in Port of Spain. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Couva, where all-in costs run around $1,331, than in Port of Spain at $1,573. In Couva it covers expenses comfortably, while in Port of Spain it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Couva and Port of Spain?
It depends on your priorities. Couva has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,331 in Couva to $1,573 in Port of Spain. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Couva or Port of Spain safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Couva and Port of Spain?
If budget matters most, go with Couva. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Port of Spain makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.