🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,121 in Tobago versus $1,263 in Chaguanas.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,872 in Tobago versus $2,026 in Chaguanas.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,623 in Tobago versus $2,789 in Chaguanas.
🙂Living in Tobago costs roughly 11% less than in Chaguanas, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tobago17% lower, Chaguanas6% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.05TTD 61.2
$7.18TTD 48.53
26.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$65.2TTD 441
$90.1TTD 609
-27.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.27TTD 49.13
$7.32TTD 49.49
-0.68%
Cappuccino
$3.72TTD 25.17
$3.15TTD 21.28
18.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95TTD 6.43
$1.05TTD 7.09
-9.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88TTD 5.96
$0.83TTD 5.64
6.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.80TTD 25.69
$1.81TTD 12.23
109.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98TTD 20.12
$2.68TTD 18.13
11.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.31TTD 15.63
$2.64TTD 17.86
-12.50%
White Bread(500g)
$2.38TTD 16.12
$2.18TTD 14.72
9.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.03TTD 20.49
$2.70TTD 18.24
12.22%
Eggs
$4.53TTD 30.60
$4.18TTD 28.25
8.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.30TTD 49.38
$8.11TTD 54.9
-9.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.26TTD 49.07
$9.15TTD 61.9
-20.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.27TTD 49.17
$12.68TTD 85.7
-42.67%
Apples(1kg)
$6.84TTD 46.26
$4.60TTD 31.07
48.70%
Banana(1kg)
$2.36TTD 15.94
$2.61TTD 17.67
-9.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.93TTD 19.84
$3.58TTD 24.21
-18.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.93TTD 19.82
$4.39TTD 29.67
-33.26%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16TTD 7.81
$1.43TTD 9.65
-18.88%
Onion(1kg)
$1.21TTD 8.21
$1.66TTD 11.22
-27.11%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.55TTD 10.51
$1.52TTD 10.26
1.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26TTD 8.55
$1.24TTD 8.37
1.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.89TTD 33.07
$4.76TTD 32.16
2.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.42TTD 152
$18.32TTD 124
22.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.28TTD 22.16
$2.10TTD 14.22
56.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43TTD 23.19
$2.72TTD 18.38
26.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.72TTD 4.86
$1.29TTD 8.71
-44.19%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.76TTD 5.11
$1.06TTD 7.14
-28.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.72TTD 4.86
$1.07TTD 7.21
-32.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.39TTD 104
$14.68TTD 99.2
4.84%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.02TTD 6.91
$0.96TTD 6.48
6.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.3KTTD 178.1K
$33.1KTTD 223.5K
-20.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.2KTTD 271.6K
$37.1KTTD 250.6K
8.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tobago
Chaguanas
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)
$59.6TTD 403
$51.6TTD 349
15.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.8TTD 364
$44.85TTD 303
19.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.06TTD 102
$29.40TTD 199
-48.78%
Cinema Ticket
$7.57TTD 51.2
$9.08TTD 61.4
-16.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$97.8TTD 661
$316TTD 2,139
-69.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$7,267TTD 49.1K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.6TTD 356
$56.3TTD 380
-6.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.93TTD 317
$37.88TTD 256
23.89%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$153TTD 1,033
$136TTD 922
12.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.6TTD 464
$121TTD 816
-43.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$404TTD 2,730
$435TTD 2,938
-7.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$351TTD 2,372
$385TTD 2,601
-8.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826TTD 5,585
$612TTD 4,139
34.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$675TTD 4,563
$547TTD 3,698
23.38%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$739TTD 4,997
$803TTD 5,426
-7.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7
5.38
30.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tobago: June 7, 2026
Last update for Chaguanas: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $404 in Tobago and $435 in Chaguanas. 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: $65.0 in Tobago vs $90.0 in Chaguanas for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $327 vs $340 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
Tobago vs Chaguanas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tobago or Chaguanas?
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 Tobago or Chaguanas?
On paper, Chaguanas earns 9% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Tobago vs Chaguanas?
Rent for a central apartment: $404 in Tobago versus $435 in Chaguanas. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Tobago or Chaguanas?
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 Tobago compared to Chaguanas?
All in, you'll spend $1,121 per month in Tobago versus $1,263 in Chaguanas – 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 Tobago or Chaguanas?
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: Tobago or Chaguanas?
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 Tobago compared to Chaguanas?
Safety-wise, Tobago and Chaguanas 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.