Cost of Living Comparison Between China and American Samoa Cost of Living Comparison Between China and American Samoa

Name: American Samoa
Address: AS

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $712 per month in China vs $816 in American Samoa, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,131 per month in China vs $1,379 in American Samoa, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,549 per month in China vs $1,942 in American Samoa, rent included.

The cost of living in China is roughly 13% lower than in American Samoa on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both China and American Samoa are more affordable than the global median – China 47% lower, American Samoa 39% lower.

The regional cost range is wider in China ($533–$1,212) than in American Samoa ($816–$816), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.77 ¥18.72

$25.17 $25.17

-88.99%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.05 ¥162

$6.98 $6.98

244.56%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.73 ¥31.93

Cappuccino

$3.08 ¥20.78

$1.02 $1.02

201.96%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 ¥3.00

$1.21 $1.21

-63.64%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 ¥1.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.01 ¥6.80

$1.98 $1.98

-48.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 ¥14.03

$1.98 $1.98

5.05%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 ¥12.39

$2.50 $2.50

-26.80%

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ¥10.94

$2.84 $2.84

-42.96%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.97 ¥6.58

$4.42 $4.42

-78.05%

Eggs

$1.61 ¥10.90

$4.48 $4.48

-64.06%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.34 ¥90.1

$10.37 $10.37

28.64%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.37 ¥22.75

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.68 ¥72.2

$11.56 $11.56

-7.61%

Apples (1kg)

$1.81 ¥12.26

Banana (1kg)

$1.25 ¥8.44

Oranges (1kg)

$1.46 ¥9.88

Tomato (1kg)

$1.15 ¥7.73

Potato (1kg)

$0.73 ¥4.92

Onion (1kg)

$0.89 ¥5.99

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.60 ¥4.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ¥3.59

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.39 ¥22.93

$11.72 $11.72

-71.08%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.73 ¥79.3

$15.08 $15.08

-22.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 ¥5.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.63 ¥10.98

$2.87 $2.87

-43.21%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.41 ¥2.77

$1.94 $1.94

-78.87%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.24 ¥143

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 ¥9.13

$4.95 $4.95

-72.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.36 ¥2.40

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.70 ¥45.26

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.18 ¥7.98

$1.29 $1.29

-8.53%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.8K ¥133.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$16.5K ¥111.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$51.7 ¥349

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$10.09 ¥68.2

$29.84 $29.84

-66.19%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$11.38 ¥76.9

$74.4 $74.4

-84.70%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.24 ¥265

$49.24 $49.24

-20.31%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.84 ¥100

$9.81 $9.81

51.27%

Cinema Ticket

$6.30 ¥42.56

$9.07 $9.07

-30.54%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$414 ¥2,795

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.4K ¥117.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.77 ¥316

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.08 ¥223

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.9 ¥479

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.5 ¥503

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$440 ¥2,972

$151 $151

191.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$253 ¥1,707

$199 $199

26.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$911 ¥6,153

$885 $885

2.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$531 ¥3,584

$710 $710

-25.29%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,778 ¥32.3K

$17.7K $17.7K

-73.03%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,403 ¥16.2K

$10.7K $10.7K

-77.59%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,058 ¥7,144

$1,179 $1,179

-10.31%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.06

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

Last update for China: July 28, 2026

Last update for American Samoa: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $287 in China vs $151 in American Samoa. For reference, capital cities sit at $909 in Beijing (Pekin) and $151 in Pago Pago.

Average salary: $857 in China vs $1,217 in American Samoa. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 90% higher in China.

Dining out costs 200% more in China.

Salaries are 42% higher in American Samoa, and purchasing power comes out stronger in American Samoa.

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

China vs American Samoa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

American Samoa is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 7% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in China, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but China consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in American Samoa, contributing to the overall 7% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in American Samoa, but in China it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

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.