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 $816 per month in American Samoa vs $790 in French Polynesia, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,379 per month in American Samoa vs $1,187 in French Polynesia, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,942 per month in American Samoa vs $1,583 in French Polynesia, rent included.

The cost of living in American Samoa is about 3% higher than in 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.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.17 $25.17
$16.13 CFPF 1,687
56.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$6.98 $6.98
$79.8 CFPF 8,340
-91.25%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$12.34 CFPF 1,290
-
Cappuccino
$1.02 $1.02
$4.52 CFPF 473
-77.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21 $1.21
$2.76 CFPF 288
-56.16%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.20 CFPF 230
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.98 $1.98
$4.95 CFPF 518
-60.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 $1.98
$4.99 CFPF 522
-60.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.50 $2.50
$1.45 CFPF 151
72.41%
White Bread (500g)
$2.84 $2.84
$2.75 CFPF 288
3.27%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.42 $4.42
$1.70 CFPF 178
160.00%
Eggs
$4.48 $4.48
$7.20 CFPF 752
-37.78%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.37 $10.37
$39.16 CFPF 4,094
-73.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$16.80 CFPF 1,757
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.56 $11.56
$26.82 CFPF 2,804
-56.90%
Apples (1kg)
-
$5.57 CFPF 582
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$2.37 CFPF 248
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$6.86 CFPF 717
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$7.80 CFPF 815
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$3.03 CFPF 317
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$2.69 CFPF 281
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$3.82 CFPF 399
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.11 CFPF 116
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.72 $11.72
$12.14 CFPF 1,269
-3.46%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.08 $15.08
$24.27 CFPF 2,537
-37.87%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.57 CFPF 269
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 $2.87
$4.65 CFPF 487
-38.28%
🚌 Getting Around
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.94 $1.94
$1.99 CFPF 208
-2.51%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.95 $4.95
$9.98 CFPF 1,044
-50.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.29 $1.29
$1.52 CFPF 159
-15.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$19.7K CFPF 2.1M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$28.6K 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)
-
$179 CFPF 18.7K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.84 $29.84
$17.68 CFPF 1,848
68.78%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.4 $74.4
$106 CFPF 11.1K
-29.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.24 $49.24
$73.3 CFPF 7,660
-32.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.81 $9.81
$17.52 CFPF 1,832
-44.01%
Cinema Ticket
$9.07 $9.07
$14.32 CFPF 1,498
-36.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$485 CFPF 50.7K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$9,864 CFPF 1.0M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$99.1 CFPF 10.4K
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$84.7 CFPF 8,851
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$108 CFPF 11.3K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$108 CFPF 11.3K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$151 $151
$1,306 CFPF 136.5K
-88.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$199 $199
$1,084 CFPF 113.3K
-81.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$885 $885
$2,102 CFPF 219.8K
-57.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$710 $710
$1,869 CFPF 195.4K
-61.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$17.7K $17.7K
$8,452 CFPF 883.7K
109.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$10.7K $10.7K
$7,640 CFPF 798.8K
40.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
American Samoa
French Polynesia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,179 $1,179
$1,931 CFPF 201.9K
-38.94%
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: July 26, 2026

Last update for French Polynesia: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $151 in American Samoa vs $536 in French Polynesia. For reference, capital cities sit at $151 in Pago Pago and $1,233 in Papeete.

Average salary: $1,217 in American Samoa vs $2,056 in French Polynesia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 255% higher in French Polynesia.

Dining out costs 171% more in French Polynesia.

Salaries are 69% higher in French Polynesia, and purchasing power comes out stronger in French Polynesia.

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 41% 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 41% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in American Samoa or in 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 to 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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