Cost of Living Comparison Between American Samoa and Tonga Cost of Living Comparison Between American Samoa and Tonga

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $815 per month in American Samoa vs $335 in Tonga, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,385 per month in American Samoa vs $615 in Tonga, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,955 per month in American Samoa vs $894 in Tonga, rent included.

American Samoa costs about 143% more than Tonga on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both American Samoa and Tonga are more affordable than the global median – American Samoa 39% lower, Tonga 75% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.98 $24.98
$8.48 TOP 19.93
194.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$7.19 $7.19
$61.8 TOP 145
-88.36%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$10.26 TOP 24.12
-
Cappuccino
$1.02 $1.02
$2.83 TOP 6.66
-63.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.22 $1.22
$2.77 TOP 6.51
-55.96%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.51 TOP 5.91
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.96 $1.96
$3.39 TOP 7.96
-42.18%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
$4.85 TOP 11.39
-57.94%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.54 $2.54
$1.57 TOP 3.70
61.78%
White Bread (500g)
$2.92 $2.92
$1.02 TOP 2.40
186.27%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.23 $4.23
$2.10 TOP 4.93
101.43%
Eggs
$4.40 $4.40
$5.22 TOP 12.26
-15.71%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.09 $10.09
$9.11 TOP 21.41
10.76%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$5.78 TOP 13.57
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.50 $11.50
$7.58 TOP 17.82
51.72%
Apples (1kg)
-
$2.75 TOP 6.47
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$2.78 TOP 6.54
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$2.90 TOP 6.81
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$3.85 TOP 9.05
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$3.22 TOP 7.57
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$2.61 TOP 6.14
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$2.28 TOP 5.35
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.39 TOP 3.27
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.33 $11.33
$10.14 TOP 23.84
11.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.87 $14.87
$17.05 TOP 40.08
-12.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$3.15 TOP 7.40
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 $2.88
$3.35 TOP 7.88
-14.03%
🚌 Getting Around
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.03 TOP 4.78
0.99%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$41.43 TOP 97.4
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.14 $5.14
$2.03 TOP 4.78
153.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$41.68 TOP 98.0
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 $1.35
$1.49 TOP 3.50
-9.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$5,828 TOP 13.7K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$8,398 TOP 19.7K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$189 TOP 445
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.96 $29.96
$22.59 TOP 53.1
32.63%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.7 $75.7
$125 TOP 294
-39.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.35 $49.35
$31.13 TOP 73.2
58.53%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.85 $9.85
$42.14 TOP 99.0
-76.63%
Cinema Ticket
$8.84 $8.84
$41.61 TOP 97.8
-78.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$158 TOP 372
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$254 TOP 596
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$14.38 TOP 33.79
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$17.48 TOP 41.08
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$20.65 TOP 48.53
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$28.55 TOP 67.1
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$149 $149
$611 TOP 1,437
-75.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$199 $199
$50.0 TOP 118
297.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$907 $907
$838 TOP 1,970
8.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$705 $705
$568 TOP 1,334
24.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$17.9K $17.9K
$408 TOP 959
4292.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$10.7K $10.7K
$254 TOP 596
4123.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,185 $1,185
$687 TOP 1,614
72.56%

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

Last update for American Samoa: June 8, 2026

Last update for Tonga: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $148 in American Samoa vs $204 in Tonga. For reference, capital cities sit at $148 in Pago Pago and $612 in Nuku'alofa.

Average salary: $1,214 in American Samoa vs $683 in Tonga. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 38% higher in Tonga.

Dining out costs 200% more in Tonga.

Salaries are 78% higher in American Samoa, giving Tonga 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 Tonga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Samoa more expensive than Tonga?
Tonga is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 62% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in American Samoa, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but American Samoa consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Tonga, contributing to the overall 62% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in American Samoa or Tonga?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Tonga, but in American Samoa it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to American Samoa or Tonga?
Tonga 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.

American Samoa vs other spots: cost of living compared

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