🙂A single person spends $552 per month in Chad vs $2,622 in United States, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $741 per month in Chad vs $3,830 in United States, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $929 per month in Chad vs $5,038 in United States, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Chad is roughly 79% lower than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Chad sits 60% below the global median, while United States is 91% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chad
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.66FCFA 4,889
$19.78$19.78
-56.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$81.4$81.4
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$12.11$12.11
-
Cappuccino
$0.85FCFA 480
$5.44$5.44
-84.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87FCFA 489
$2.67$2.67
-67.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87FCFA 492
$2.08$2.08
-58.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.31FCFA 741
$6.06$6.06
-78.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81FCFA 1,024
$8.14$8.14
-77.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chad
United States
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.77FCFA 2,130
$1.05$1.05
259.05%
White Bread(500g)
$0.33FCFA 189
$3.65$3.65
-90.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.47FCFA 1,956
$4.45$4.45
-22.02%
Eggs
$2.19FCFA 1,238
$4.35$4.35
-49.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.57FCFA 2,013
$12.73$12.73
-71.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.91FCFA 3,901
$12.46$12.46
-44.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.63FCFA 2,047
$16.95$16.95
-78.58%
Apples(1kg)
$4.74FCFA 2,675
$5.30$5.30
-10.57%
Banana(1kg)
$2.26FCFA 1,278
$1.70$1.70
32.94%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.74FCFA 1,546
$4.40$4.40
-37.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47FCFA 1,395
$5.01$5.01
-50.70%
Potato(1kg)
$1.62FCFA 912
$2.87$2.87
-43.55%
Onion(1kg)
$1.67FCFA 945
$3.13$3.13
-46.65%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.55FCFA 311
$2.32$2.32
-76.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.16FCFA 1,218
$2.34$2.34
-7.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.04FCFA 584
$10.55$10.55
-90.14%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.19FCFA 4,624
$14.94$14.94
-45.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17FCFA 663
$2.12$2.12
-44.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80FCFA 1,013
$3.69$3.69
-51.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Chad
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.43FCFA 242
$2.37$2.37
-81.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$87.1FCFA 49.1K
$65.1$65.1
33.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.45FCFA 255
$3.42$3.42
-86.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.43FCFA 241
$1.89$1.89
-77.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.38FCFA 3,037
$30.16$30.16
-82.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.29FCFA 731
$0.98$0.98
31.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.0KFCFA 6.8M
$35.9K$35.9K
-66.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$11.3KFCFA 6.4M
$25.9K$25.9K
-56.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chad
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$44.47FCFA 25.1K
$218$218
-79.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.23FCFA 14.8K
$61.0$61.0
-57.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$439FCFA 247.9K
$74.8$74.8
487.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chad
United States
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$44.42$44.42
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$22.53$22.53
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$14.80$14.80
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chad
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$1,476$1,476
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$25.9K$25.9K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chad
United States
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.26FCFA 14.8K
$54.4$54.4
-51.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.18FCFA 19.9K
$43.59$43.59
-19.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$44.92FCFA 25.4K
$92.9$92.9
-51.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.1FCFA 49.7K
$114$114
-22.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chad
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,771FCFA 999.6K
$1,639$1,639
8.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$89.5FCFA 50.5K
$1,358$1,358
-93.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$270FCFA 152.3K
$2,699$2,699
-90.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$180FCFA 101.8K
$2,199$2,199
-91.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$188FCFA 105.9K
$3,269$3,269
-94.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$188FCFA 105.8K
$2,589$2,589
-92.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chad
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$354FCFA 199.7K
$4,357$4,357
-91.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.5
6.21
-43.64%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chad: August 31, 2026
Last update for United States: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $871 in Chad vs $1,606 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,742 in N'Djamena and $1,373 in Columbia, TN.
💰Average salary: $357 in Chad vs $4,519 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 84% higher in United States.
⭐Public transport is 63% more expensive in Chad.
⭐Salaries are 1166% 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
Chad vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chad more expensive than United States?
Chad is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 458% 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 Chad, contributing to the overall 458% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Chad or in United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Chad, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Chad or to United States?
Chad 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.