Skyline of Arima
Cost of Living: 78 80,000

Arima, Trinidad and Tobago

Arima is a major city in Trinidad and Tobago with a population of 80,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Arima is a city in Arima with a population of 80,000. Arima is a major city in Trinidad and Tobago with a population of 80,000. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7b growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 250 sunny days a year.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 78

Below Average vs Trinidad and Tobago Avg (100)

Housing Index 85

Affordable

Median Income TT$ 42,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Arima vs Trinidad and Tobago Average

Cost of Living
Arima: 78
Trinidad and Tobago Avg: 100
Housing Index
Arima: 85
Trinidad and Tobago Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 12.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: TT$ 42,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 80,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 250/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 72°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: TT$1,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: TT$2500/mo

Not sure this is the right city?

Take our 2-minute quiz to discover the best cities for your lifestyle and budget.

Take the Quiz

Cost of Living

Arima's cost of living index is 78 (Trinidad and Tobago average = 100).

CategoryArimaNational AverageDifference
Overall78100-22.0%
Housing85100-15.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceTT$1,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)TT$2500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)TT$3,125/mo
Price per Sq FtTT$666

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

TT$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
TT$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Arima:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityTT$200
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)TT$64Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterTT$80Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)TT$150Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesTT$494Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Arima scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 78
Rent
— TT$2500
Sunny Days
— 250
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 88°F / 72°F
Safety
— 3.0 homicides/100k
Population
— 80,000
Internet Speed
— 50 Mbps

Climate

Arima has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January92°F72°F2.5"
April73°F87°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F90°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Arima faces the following natural hazards:

Hurricane High Risk

Significant hurricane risk.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Caribbean islands with tsunami risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

Storm flooding.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 12.5%
  • Property Tax: ~0% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year September to July
Term System Trimester — 1st (Sep-Dec), 2nd (Jan-Apr), 3rd (May-Jul)
Summer Break July to September (7 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (3 weeks)
Spring Break Easter holiday in March/April (2 weeks)

Carnival in February/March is a major holiday.

Demographics

The population of Arima is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

African
34.2%
East Indian
35.4%
Mixed
22.8%
Other
7.6%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
35.0%
Some college
15.0%

Religion

Christian (Catholic)
21.0%
Christian (Protestant)
32.0%
Hindu
18.0%
Muslim
5.0%
Other
22.0%
Unaffiliated
2.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: CSO Census (2011)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago?

The cost of living index in Arima is 78, which is Lower the Trinidad and Tobago national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Arima?

The median home price in Arima is TT$1,000,000. The housing index is 85.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Arima is approximately TT$2500/mo.

Does Arima, Arima have income tax?

Arima is in Arima, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Arima?

Arima enjoys approximately 250 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 72°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.