Cost of Living Comparison Between American Samoa and French Polynesia Cost of Living Comparison Between American Samoa and French Polynesia

Name: French Polynesia
Address: PF

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $821 per month in American Samoa vs $787 in French Polynesia, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,411 per month in American Samoa vs $1,196 in French Polynesia, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,001 per month in American Samoa vs $1,604 in French Polynesia, rent included.

American Samoa costs about 4% more than French Polynesia on average — the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both American Samoa and French Polynesia are more affordable than the global median – American Samoa 39% lower, French Polynesia 41% lower.

American Samoa has a wider regional cost range ($821–$821) than French Polynesia ($0–$2,251), so location matters more when choosing where to live in American Samoa.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.37 $25.37

$15.81 CFPF 1,610

60.47%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$6.95 $6.95

$79.7 CFPF 8,111

-91.28%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.93 CFPF 1,214

Cappuccino

$1.01 $1.01

$4.38 CFPF 446

-76.94%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.23 $1.23

$2.66 CFPF 270

-53.76%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 CFPF 225

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.05 $2.05

$5.04 CFPF 513

-59.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$4.77 CFPF 486

-58.28%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.63 $2.63

$1.50 CFPF 152

75.33%

White Bread (500g)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.86 CFPF 291

2.80%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$1.66 CFPF 169

164.46%

Eggs

$4.45 $4.45

$7.37 CFPF 751

-39.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.33 $10.33

$38.55 CFPF 3,924

-73.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.05 CFPF 1,736

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.18 $11.18

$27.36 CFPF 2,785

-59.14%

Apples (1kg)

$5.38 CFPF 548

Banana (1kg)

$2.40 CFPF 244

Oranges (1kg)

$6.83 CFPF 696

Tomato (1kg)

$7.84 CFPF 798

Potato (1kg)

$3.05 CFPF 311

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 CFPF 278

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.93 CFPF 400

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 CFPF 114

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.44 $11.44

$12.05 CFPF 1,226

-5.06%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.27 $15.27

$24.51 CFPF 2,495

-37.70%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 CFPF 260

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 $2.89

$4.59 CFPF 467

-37.04%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

$1.92 CFPF 195

5.21%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.95 $4.95

$9.91 CFPF 1,008

-50.05%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.59 CFPF 162

-14.47%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.1K CFPF 1.9M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28.9K CFPF 2.9M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$184 CFPF 18.7K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$29.74 $29.74

$17.61 CFPF 1,792

68.88%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.7 $75.7

$106 CFPF 10.8K

-28.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.82 $49.82

$73.4 CFPF 7,471

-32.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.19 $10.19

$17.55 CFPF 1,786

-41.94%

Cinema Ticket

$9.18 $9.18

$14.69 CFPF 1,495

-37.51%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$477 CFPF 48.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,768 CFPF 994.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$98.0 CFPF 9,970

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$84.4 CFPF 8,588

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$110 CFPF 11.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 CFPF 10.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$147 $147

$1,313 CFPF 133.6K

-88.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$199 $199

$1,100 CFPF 112.0K

-81.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$913 $913

$2,107 CFPF 214.4K

-56.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$695 $695

$1,840 CFPF 187.3K

-62.22%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$17.6K $17.6K

$8,564 CFPF 871.8K

105.49%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$10.9K $10.9K

$7,932 CFPF 807.4K

37.58%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,199 $1,199

$1,966 CFPF 200.1K

-39.04%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.4

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for American Samoa: April 22, 2026

Last update for French Polynesia: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $153 in American Samoa vs $537 in French Polynesia. For reference, capital cities sit at $153 in Pago Pago and $1,232 in Papeete.

Average salary: $1,201 in American Samoa vs $2,144 in French Polynesia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 251% higher in French Polynesia.

Dining out costs 171% more in French Polynesia.

Salaries are 79% higher in French Polynesia, giving French Polynesia stronger purchasing power.

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

American Samoa vs French Polynesia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

American Samoa is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 37% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in French Polynesia, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but French Polynesia consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in American Samoa, contributing to the overall 37% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in American Samoa, but in French Polynesia it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

American Samoa is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.