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 $795 per month in American Samoa vs $2,643 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,371 per month in American Samoa vs $3,857 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,946 per month in American Samoa vs $5,070 in United States, rent included.

American Samoa is roughly 70% cheaper than United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

American Samoa sits 41% below the global median, while United States is 97% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

American Samoa has a wider regional cost range ($795$795) than United States ($1,343$5,081), so location matters more when choosing where to live in American Samoa.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.17 $25.17
$20.04 $20.04
25.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$7.13 $7.13
$76.0 $76.0
-90.62%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$11.42 $11.42
-
Cappuccino
$0.98 $0.98
$5.39 $5.39
-81.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.26 $1.26
$2.55 $2.55
-50.59%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.04 $2.04
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.99 $1.99
$6.14 $6.14
-67.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
$7.18 $7.18
-71.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.54 $2.54
$1.04 $1.04
144.23%
White Bread (500g)
$2.84 $2.84
$3.65 $3.65
-22.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.28 $4.28
$4.73 $4.73
-9.51%
Eggs
$4.55 $4.55
$4.38 $4.38
3.88%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.09 $10.09
$12.76 $12.76
-20.92%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$12.42 $12.42
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.27 $11.27
$16.41 $16.41
-31.32%
Apples (1kg)
-
$5.42 $5.42
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$1.65 $1.65
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$4.59 $4.59
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$4.91 $4.91
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$2.92 $2.92
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$3.13 $3.13
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$2.26 $2.26
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.30 $2.30
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.31 $11.31
$9.89 $9.89
14.36%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.79 $14.79
$15.10 $15.10
-2.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.91 $1.91
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03 $3.03
$3.66 $3.66
-17.21%
🚌 Getting Around
American Samoa
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.04 $2.04
$2.48 $2.48
-17.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$64.8 $64.8
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.12 $5.12
$3.84 $3.84
33.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$1.76 $1.76
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$30.58 $30.58
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 $1.31
$0.96 $0.96
36.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$30.5K $30.5K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.4K $26.4K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$204 $204
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.17 $30.17
$57.3 $57.3
-47.32%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.6 $73.6
$71.2 $71.2
3.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.31 $49.31
$46.67 $46.67
5.66%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.92 $9.92
$22.12 $22.12
-55.15%
Cinema Ticket
$9.24 $9.24
$13.84 $13.84
-33.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$1,384 $1,384
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$22.7K $22.7K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$53.0 $53.0
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$43.17 $43.17
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$90.6 $90.6
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$114 $114
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
American Samoa
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$152 $152
$1,766 $1,766
-91.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$203 $203
$1,459 $1,459
-86.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$885 $885
$2,832 $2,832
-68.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$697 $697
$2,411 $2,411
-71.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$17.8K $17.8K
$3,287 $3,287
441.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$10.9K $10.9K
$2,650 $2,650
309.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
American Samoa
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,202 $1,202
$4,379 $4,379
-72.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
6.51
-

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

Last update for American Samoa: May 31, 2026

Last update for United States: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $148 in American Samoa vs $1,637 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $148 in Pago Pago and $2,591 in Washington, DC.

Average salary: $1,189 in American Samoa vs $4,500 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 1006% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 943% more in United States.

Salaries are 278% higher in United States, giving United States 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 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 304% 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 304% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in American Samoa or United States?
$1,000 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 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

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