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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $815 per month in American Samoa vs $783 in French Polynesia, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,385 per month in American Samoa vs $1,188 in French Polynesia, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,955 per month in American Samoa vs $1,592 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 42% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.98 $24.98
$15.90 CFPF 1,636
57.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$7.19 $7.19
$81.6 CFPF 8,392
-91.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$12.08 CFPF 1,243
-
Cappuccino
$1.02 $1.02
$4.49 CFPF 461
-77.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.22 $1.22
$2.63 CFPF 270
-53.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.13 CFPF 219
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.96 $1.96
$4.83 CFPF 497
-59.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
$4.96 CFPF 511
-58.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.54 $2.54
$1.51 CFPF 155
68.21%
White Bread (500g)
$2.92 $2.92
$2.80 CFPF 288
4.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.23 $4.23
$1.63 CFPF 167
159.51%
Eggs
$4.40 $4.40
$7.03 CFPF 723
-37.41%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.09 $10.09
$38.13 CFPF 3,921
-73.54%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$16.45 CFPF 1,692
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.50 $11.50
$27.44 CFPF 2,822
-58.09%
Apples (1kg)
-
$5.39 CFPF 555
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$2.35 CFPF 241
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$6.61 CFPF 680
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$7.73 CFPF 795
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$3.05 CFPF 314
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$2.74 CFPF 282
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$3.92 CFPF 403
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.16 CFPF 120
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.33 $11.33
$12.05 CFPF 1,239
-5.98%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.87 $14.87
$23.95 CFPF 2,463
-37.91%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.55 CFPF 262
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 $2.88
$4.71 CFPF 485
-38.85%
🚌 Getting Around
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.05 $2.05
$1.95 CFPF 201
5.13%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.14 $5.14
$9.56 CFPF 983
-46.23%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 $1.35
$1.57 CFPF 161
-14.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$19.5K CFPF 2.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$29.0K CFPF 3.0M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$183 CFPF 18.8K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.96 $29.96
$17.42 CFPF 1,791
71.99%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.7 $75.7
$106 CFPF 10.9K
-28.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.35 $49.35
$73.2 CFPF 7,525
-32.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.85 $9.85
$17.87 CFPF 1,838
-44.88%
Cinema Ticket
$8.84 $8.84
$14.83 CFPF 1,525
-40.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$484 CFPF 49.8K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$9,615 CFPF 988.9K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$98.7 CFPF 10.2K
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$85.8 CFPF 8,828
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$108 CFPF 11.1K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$109 CFPF 11.2K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$149 $149
$1,332 CFPF 136.9K
-88.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$199 $199
$1,090 CFPF 112.2K
-81.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$907 $907
$2,093 CFPF 215.3K
-56.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$705 $705
$1,871 CFPF 192.5K
-62.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$17.9K $17.9K
$8,577 CFPF 882.2K
108.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$10.7K $10.7K
$7,962 CFPF 818.9K
34.60%
💵 Salaries & Financials
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,185 $1,185
$1,919 CFPF 197.3K
-38.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
5.4
-

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

Last update for American Samoa: June 8, 2026

Last update for French Polynesia: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $148 in American Samoa vs $539 in French Polynesia. For reference, capital cities sit at $148 in Pago Pago and $1,243 in Papeete.

Average salary: $1,214 in American Samoa vs $2,100 in French Polynesia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 264% higher in French Polynesia.

Dining out costs 171% more in French Polynesia.

Salaries are 73% 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
Is American Samoa more expensive than French Polynesia?
American Samoa is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 38% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
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.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in American Samoa, contributing to the overall 38% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in American Samoa or French Polynesia?
$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.
Should I move to American Samoa or French Polynesia?
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.

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