😐A single person spends $821 per month in American Samoa vs $336 in Tonga, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,411 per month in American Samoa vs $623 in Tonga, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,001 per month in American Samoa vs $909 in Tonga, rent included.
😐American Samoa costs about 144% 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 Samoa39% lower, Tonga75% lower.
📏American Samoa has a wider regional cost range ($821–$821) than Tonga ($0–$1,007), so location matters more when choosing where to live in American Samoa.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.37$25.37
$8.15TOP 19.48
211.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$6.95$6.95
$62.3TOP 149
-88.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$10.22TOP 24.43
-
Cappuccino
$1.01$1.01
$2.92TOP 6.99
-65.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.23$1.23
$2.77TOP 6.61
-55.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.48TOP 5.93
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.05$2.05
$3.23TOP 7.71
-36.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99$1.99
$4.92TOP 11.75
-59.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.63$2.63
$1.52TOP 3.64
73.03%
White Bread(500g)
$2.94$2.94
$1.03TOP 2.45
185.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.39$4.39
$2.08TOP 4.97
111.06%
Eggs
$4.45$4.45
$4.98TOP 11.91
-10.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.33$10.33
$9.03TOP 21.59
14.40%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$5.76TOP 13.76
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.18$11.18
$7.74TOP 18.50
44.44%
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.82TOP 6.73
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$2.82TOP 6.75
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.86TOP 6.82
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$3.66TOP 8.76
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$3.09TOP 7.39
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$2.60TOP 6.21
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$2.25TOP 5.37
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.40TOP 3.34
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.44$11.44
$9.99TOP 23.87
14.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.27$15.27
$17.18TOP 41.06
-11.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$3.14TOP 7.49
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.89$2.89
$3.33TOP 7.96
-13.21%
🚌 Getting Around
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.02$2.02
$2.04TOP 4.88
-0.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.20TOP 98.5
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.95$4.95
$2.11TOP 5.03
134.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$41.98TOP 100
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36$1.36
$1.49TOP 3.57
-8.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$5,702TOP 13.6K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$8,225TOP 19.7K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$184TOP 441
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.74$29.74
$22.08TOP 52.8
34.69%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.7$75.7
$125TOP 298
-39.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.82$49.82
$31.36TOP 75.0
58.86%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.19$10.19
$41.32TOP 98.7
-75.34%
Cinema Ticket
$9.18$9.18
$41.41TOP 99.0
-77.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$157TOP 375
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$250TOP 599
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$14.32TOP 34.23
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$17.51TOP 41.85
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$20.86TOP 49.86
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$29.53TOP 70.6
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$147$147
$614TOP 1,468
-76.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$199$199
$50.8TOP 122
291.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$913$913
$842TOP 2,012
8.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$695$695
$573TOP 1,369
21.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$17.6K$17.6K
$411TOP 983
4180.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$10.9K$10.9K
$249TOP 596
4276.62%
💵 Salaries & Financials
American Samoa
Tonga
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,199$1,199
$680TOP 1,625
76.24%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for American Samoa: April 22, 2026
Last update for Tonga: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $153 in American Samoa vs $204 in Tonga. For reference, capital cities sit at $153 in Pago Pago and $611 in Nuku'alofa.
💰Average salary: $1,201 in American Samoa vs $674 in Tonga. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 33% 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 63% 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 63% 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