๐A single person spends $544 per month in Chad vs $2,644 in United States, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $720 per month in Chad vs $3,857 in United States, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $895 per month in Chad vs $5,070 in United States, rent included.
๐Chad is roughly 79% cheaper than United States on average โ the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
๐Chad sits 60% below the global median, while United States is 96% above โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
๐United States has a wider regional cost range ($1,313โ$5,207) than Chad ($0โ$1,089), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Chad
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.00FCFAย 5,012
$20.36$20.36
-55.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$74.3$74.3
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$11.42$11.42
-
Cappuccino
$0.86FCFAย 476
$5.21$5.21
-83.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89FCFAย 496
$2.62$2.62
-66.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90FCFAย 501
$2.15$2.15
-58.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.36FCFAย 757
$5.84$5.84
-76.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79FCFAย 996
$7.18$7.18
-75.07%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Chad
United States
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.66FCFAย 2,038
$1.08$1.08
238.89%
White Bread(500g)
$0.36FCFAย 203
$3.59$3.59
-89.97%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.58FCFAย 1,994
$4.71$4.71
-23.99%
Eggs
$2.09FCFAย 1,162
$4.38$4.38
-52.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.47FCFAย 1,933
$12.67$12.67
-72.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.20FCFAย 4,008
$12.40$12.40
-41.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.62FCFAย 2,016
$16.39$16.39
-77.91%
Apples(1kg)
$4.83FCFAย 2,687
$5.16$5.16
-6.40%
Banana(1kg)
$2.27FCFAย 1,262
$1.72$1.72
31.98%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.69FCFAย 1,500
$4.47$4.47
-39.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.56FCFAย 1,427
$5.01$5.01
-48.90%
Potato(1kg)
$1.69FCFAย 938
$2.91$2.91
-41.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.70FCFAย 945
$3.06$3.06
-44.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.54FCFAย 302
$2.16$2.16
-75.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.02FCFAย 1,126
$2.21$2.21
-8.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.02FCFAย 569
$9.93$9.93
-89.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.24FCFAย 4,588
$14.94$14.94
-44.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39FCFAย 776
$1.91$1.91
-27.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73FCFAย 966
$3.70$3.70
-53.24%
๐ Getting Around
Chad
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.45FCFAย 252
$2.55$2.55
-82.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$87.6FCFAย 48.8K
$65.0$65.0
34.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.45FCFAย 252
$3.69$3.69
-87.80%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.42FCFAย 233
$1.78$1.78
-76.40%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.37FCFAย 2,993
$30.24$30.24
-82.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14FCFAย 633
$0.95$0.95
20.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.1KFCFAย 6.7M
$29.7K$29.7K
-59.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$11.4KFCFAย 6.3M
$26.3K$26.3K
-56.61%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chad
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$210$210
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.92FCFAย 15.0K
$58.3$58.3
-53.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$440FCFAย 245.2K
$72.1$72.1
510.68%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Chad
United States
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$45.90$45.90
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$22.20$22.20
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$14.25$14.25
-
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Chad
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$1,367$1,367
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$22.8K$22.8K
-
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Chad
United States
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.56FCFAย 14.8K
$53.0$53.0
-49.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.69FCFAย 19.9K
$42.96$42.96
-16.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$43.82FCFAย 24.4K
$89.4$89.4
-51.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.3FCFAย 49.2K
$113$113
-22.06%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Chad
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,481FCFAย 824.8K
$1,766$1,766
-16.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$86.8FCFAย 48.3K
$1,460$1,460
-94.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$269FCFAย 149.6K
$2,865$2,865
-90.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$180FCFAย 100.2K
$2,360$2,360
-92.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$197FCFAย 109.5K
$3,427$3,427
-94.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$197FCFAย 109.5K
$2,624$2,624
-92.50%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Chad
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$360FCFAย 200.3K
$4,306$4,306
-91.65%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.5
6.51
-46.24%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chad: April 13, 2026
Last update for United States: April 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ Average rent: $744 in Chad vs $1,636 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,487 in N'Djamena and $2,562 in Washington, DC.
๐ฐAverage salary: $363 in Chad vs $4,492 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
โญRent is 120% higher in United States.
โญPublic transport is 72% more expensive in Chad.
โญSalaries are 1137% 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
Chad vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chad more expensive than United States?
Chad is the cheaper option โ living costs run roughly 499% 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 499% price gap. The savings show up everywhere โ from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Chad or 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 United States?
Chad is the budget-friendly choice for expats โ lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.