Cost of Living Comparison Between Tobago and Chaguanas Cost of Living Comparison Between Tobago and Chaguanas

Monthly Cost of Living

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: Tobago 17% lower, Chaguanas 6% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.05 TTD 61.2
$7.18 TTD 48.53
26.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$65.2 TTD 441
$90.1 TTD 609
-27.62%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.27 TTD 49.13
$7.32 TTD 49.49
-0.68%
Cappuccino
$3.72 TTD 25.17
$3.15 TTD 21.28
18.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95 TTD 6.43
$1.05 TTD 7.09
-9.52%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 TTD 5.96
$0.83 TTD 5.64
6.02%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.80 TTD 25.69
$1.81 TTD 12.23
109.94%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98 TTD 20.12
$2.68 TTD 18.13
11.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.31 TTD 15.63
$2.64 TTD 17.86
-12.50%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 TTD 16.12
$2.18 TTD 14.72
9.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.03 TTD 20.49
$2.70 TTD 18.24
12.22%
Eggs
$4.53 TTD 30.60
$4.18 TTD 28.25
8.37%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.30 TTD 49.38
$8.11 TTD 54.9
-9.99%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.26 TTD 49.07
$9.15 TTD 61.9
-20.66%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.27 TTD 49.17
$12.68 TTD 85.7
-42.67%
Apples (1kg)
$6.84 TTD 46.26
$4.60 TTD 31.07
48.70%
Banana (1kg)
$2.36 TTD 15.94
$2.61 TTD 17.67
-9.58%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.93 TTD 19.84
$3.58 TTD 24.21
-18.16%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.93 TTD 19.82
$4.39 TTD 29.67
-33.26%
Potato (1kg)
$1.16 TTD 7.81
$1.43 TTD 9.65
-18.88%
Onion (1kg)
$1.21 TTD 8.21
$1.66 TTD 11.22
-27.11%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.55 TTD 10.51
$1.52 TTD 10.26
1.97%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26 TTD 8.55
$1.24 TTD 8.37
1.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.89 TTD 33.07
$4.76 TTD 32.16
2.73%
Wine (Bottle)
$22.42 TTD 152
$18.32 TTD 124
22.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.28 TTD 22.16
$2.10 TTD 14.22
56.19%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43 TTD 23.19
$2.72 TTD 18.38
26.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.72 TTD 4.86
$1.29 TTD 8.71
-44.19%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.76 TTD 5.11
$1.06 TTD 7.14
-28.30%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.72 TTD 4.86
$1.07 TTD 7.21
-32.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$15.39 TTD 104
$14.68 TTD 99.2
4.84%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.02 TTD 6.91
$0.96 TTD 6.48
6.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.3K TTD 178.1K
$33.1K TTD 223.5K
-20.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.2K TTD 271.6K
$37.1K TTD 250.6K
8.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$79.2 TTD 536
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$47.23 TTD 319
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.6 TTD 403
$51.6 TTD 349
15.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$53.8 TTD 364
$44.85 TTD 303
19.91%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.06 TTD 102
$29.40 TTD 199
-48.78%
Cinema Ticket
$7.57 TTD 51.2
$9.08 TTD 61.4
-16.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$97.8 TTD 661
$316 TTD 2,139
-69.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$7,267 TTD 49.1K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.6 TTD 356
$56.3 TTD 380
-6.47%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.93 TTD 317
$37.88 TTD 256
23.89%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$153 TTD 1,033
$136 TTD 922
12.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.6 TTD 464
$121 TTD 816
-43.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$404 TTD 2,730
$435 TTD 2,938
-7.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$351 TTD 2,372
$385 TTD 2,601
-8.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$826 TTD 5,585
$612 TTD 4,139
34.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$675 TTD 4,563
$547 TTD 3,698
23.38%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tobago
Chaguanas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$739 TTD 4,997
$803 TTD 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.

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