Trinidad and Tobago : Cost of Living by City
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Trinidad and Tobago?
Trinidad and Tobago are not on every person’s mind as a possible country of relocation, but still the climate there is great and there are some beautiful places to visit which attract people to come there and look for their luck.
The tropical weather makes rainforests perfect for hiking, you will be able to enjoy waterfall swimming and above all these, your salary would be enough to cover the rent and all the other expenses, while allowing you to experience all these beauties.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Trinidad and Tobago
RESTAURANTS
The cost of alcoholic beverages is not so high, while meals are quite expensive when compared with other cities.
The least expensive meal for one person is about $8, and there are more luxurious restaurants where you can eat international and quality cuisine at higher prices.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $7.73 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.47 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.76 |
MARKETS
Purchasing local groceries at the markets or in supermarkets offering discounts would be of great benefit to your budget here.
However, have in mind that the items that are imported would add to the cost, as they can be hardly available and quite pricey.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $2.01 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $2.12 |
| Eggs (12) | $3.54 |
TRANSPORTATION
The cost of running a car here can be higher than using public transport.
When you move to the country, it is advisable to make use of buses as it would be an easier and more efficient way of commuting here, besides being the least expensive either.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $0.96 |
| Monthly Pass | $58.91 |
| Gasoline | $0.85 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
The utilities prices are affordable here, being that you will not need more than $60 for all the basic services.
When it comes to communication services such as Internet connection fees, they are pretty high here, as the price is almost equal to the price of all the other services together.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $56.92 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.22 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $50.8 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
Another cost that needs to be included is the recreational activities expense, and people who like doing them outdoors would save some money while exercising indoors would cost approximately $50 per month.
Although costs for these are on a par with most other countries, people in Trinidad and Tobago do not have too much money left to spend on them,
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $46.44 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $11.83 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $7.36 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
Clothing and footwear, no matter if suits or casual clothes and shoes are in question, are less expensive in relation to other countries, but still not inexpensive.
People interested in buying designer items would need to devote pretty money to it, while those who do not mind wearing non-branded clothing would save a lot.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $58.08 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $43.54 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $101.01 |
RENT PER MONTH
Beautiful beaches and amazing scenery attract a lot of tourists here, and this affects the prices of rents.
However, they are not unreasonable and people with average salaries will be able to afford them.
The larger your family is, the greater apartment would be necessary, which causes higher rents.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $469.64 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $352.41 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $919.36 |
HEALTHCARE
Trinidad and Tobago provides public healthcare funded through taxes, with private insurance available for faster access and supplemental services, typically costing 50 to 120 USD per month.
Out-of-pocket expenses average 300-600 USD per person per year for medications, private clinics, and hospital care.
With average monthly salaries near 1,200 USD, healthcare costs are a moderate share of income.
EDUCATION
Public primary and secondary schools are tuition-free, with families paying for books, uniforms, and supplies, typically $200 to $500 per year.
Private schools charge $4,000 to $15,000 annually.
Public universities charge tuition of roughly $1,500 to $3,500 per year, while private universities can cost $4,000 to $10,000 annually.
Students also pay for housing, food, transport, and textbooks.
Average monthly income is about $1,500, making public education affordable, while private schooling and university living costs are significant.
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Trinidad and Tobago?
Not only that you will save pretty much if you decide to use the public transport system in Trinidad and Tobago, but also you will avoid the pretty bad traffic, especially during rush hour.
Another way of saving money is renting a smaller apartment, away from the main areas, if living in the city center is not what you prefer.
Food is expensive here, particularly if you buy imported goods, while utilities would not take you much money, considering the fact that the prices of the services are inexpensive.
Average Costs Breakdown
Trinidad and Tobago: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Before coming to Trinidad and Tobago, think about your daily life, possible expenses, spending habits, and whether your future salary would be high enough to cover them all, and then make a plan accordingly.
Savvy people are able to organize their budget so well, that even with the average wages they manage to lead a decent living.
The average monthly salary is estimated to be sufficient when all the expenses are taken into consideration, while people who earn the minimum would struggle to survive there.
Trinidad and Tobago Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Trinidad and Tobago Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | MEDIUM |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | MEDIUM |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | HIGH |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| MUGGING RISK | HIGH |
| TERRORISM RISK | MEDIUM |
| SCAMS RISK | MEDIUM |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| TAP WATER RISK | MEDIUM |
Cost of Living by City in Trinidad and Tobago
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Port of Spain |
59.6 |
Can someone please let us know what currency is used. Since the prices for the items quoted are not in TTD . Is it in USD?
It’s of my view that it’s way more than that’s quoted prices
It’s funny how some places totally slip under the radar when people think about moving. I mean, who wouldn’t want to swap the usual grind for hiking in rainforests and swimming in waterfalls? Sounds like the ultimate escape! Plus, having some cash left over after rent? Sign me up!
Right, because who doesn’t dream of relocating to paradise only to find out that the rent for a shoebox is still through the roof? Hiking in a rainforest sounds nice until you realize your budget can’t even cover a decent meal. But hey, at least the weather’s nice while you’re broke!