Cost of Living Comparison Between American Samoa and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between American Samoa and United States

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,465 per month in American Samoa vs $2,626 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,287 per month in American Samoa vs $3,830 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,109 per month in American Samoa vs $5,033 in United States, rent included.

The cost of living in American Samoa is roughly 44% lower than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both American Samoa and United States are pricier than the global median – American Samoa by 6%, United States by 90%.

The regional cost range is wider in American Samoa ($1,465$1,465) than in United States ($986$5,298), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$19.83 $19.83
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.55 $36.55
$78.8 $78.8
-53.62%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.90 $9.90
$12.19 $12.19
-18.79%
Cappuccino
-
$5.59 $5.59
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.78 $2.78
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.01 $1.01
$2.18 $2.18
-53.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$5.86 $5.86
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.10 $4.10
$8.02 $8.02
-48.88%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.61 $2.61
$1.07 $1.07
143.93%
White Bread (500g)
$2.88 $2.88
$3.68 $3.68
-21.74%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.19 $4.19
$4.66 $4.66
-10.09%
Eggs
$4.52 $4.52
$4.20 $4.20
7.62%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.11 $10.11
$12.78 $12.78
-20.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.04 $10.04
$12.40 $12.40
-19.03%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.48 $11.48
$16.90 $16.90
-32.07%
Apples (1kg)
$6.12 $6.12
$5.23 $5.23
17.02%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 $0.97
$1.66 $1.66
-41.57%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.06 $3.06
$4.33 $4.33
-29.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.11 $4.11
$4.96 $4.96
-17.14%
Potato (1kg)
$4.05 $4.05
$2.82 $2.82
43.62%
Onion (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$3.11 $3.11
26.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.19 $2.19
-8.22%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 $1.98
$2.26 $2.26
-12.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.30 $11.30
$10.35 $10.35
9.18%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.27 $15.27
$14.81 $14.81
3.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.98 $0.98
$2.09 $2.09
-53.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93 $2.93
$3.65 $3.65
-19.73%
🚌 Getting Around
American Samoa
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.97 $1.97
$2.38 $2.38
-17.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$123 $123
$64.5 $64.5
91.46%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.95 $4.95
$3.54 $3.54
39.83%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 $2.05
$1.86 $1.86
10.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.91 $29.91
$30.34 $30.34
-1.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 $1.31
$1.00 $1.00
31.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K $30.3K
$35.5K $35.5K
-14.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K $20.4K
$25.9K $25.9K
-21.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$405 $405
$222 $222
82.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.78 $29.78
$61.1 $61.1
-51.28%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.3 $74.3
$74.7 $74.7
-0.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$50.5 $50.5
$44.49 $44.49
13.46%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.98 $9.98
$22.35 $22.35
-55.35%
Cinema Ticket
$8.92 $8.92
$15.03 $15.03
-40.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$984 $984
$1,431 $1,431
-31.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,989 $9,989
$25.9K $25.9K
-61.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 $70.6
$53.6 $53.6
31.77%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.6 $50.6
$43.46 $43.46
16.34%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.3 $81.3
$91.5 $91.5
-11.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.9 $99.9
$114 $114
-12.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
American Samoa
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$320 $320
$1,633 $1,633
-80.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$199 $199
$1,328 $1,328
-85.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$915 $915
$2,606 $2,606
-64.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$691 $691
$2,206 $2,206
-68.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$17.8K $17.8K
$3,323 $3,323
434.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$10.8K $10.8K
$2,653 $2,653
305.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,188 $1,188
$4,306 $4,306
-72.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3
6.21
-51.69%

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

Last update for American Samoa: September 7, 2026

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $319 in American Samoa vs $1,604 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $319 in Pago Pago and $1,360 in Columbia, TN.

Average salary: $1,214 in American Samoa vs $4,526 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 403% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 108% more in United States.

Public transport is 359% more expensive in American Samoa.

Salaries are 273% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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 United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Samoa more expensive than United States?
American Samoa is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 114% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States 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 114% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in American Samoa or in United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in American Samoa, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to American Samoa or to United States?
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.

American Samoa vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar countries