Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between French Polynesia and American Samoa

Name: American Samoa
Address: AS

For one person, living is cheaper in American Samoa: $1,470 a month against $2,315 in French Polynesia, rent and utilities included – about $10,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

112

Cost of Living Index in French Polynesia
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French Polynesia Living Index
71

Cost of Living Index in American Samoa
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American Samoa Living Index

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🇵🇫 French Polynesia

$2,315

/mo nomad

🇦🇸 American Samoa

$1,470

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in French Polynesia and in American Samoa

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in French Polynesia and in American Samoa actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,315 per month in French Polynesia vs $1,470 in American Samoa, rent included.

French Polynesia $2,315
American Samoa $1,470

A couple spends around $3,464 per month in French Polynesia vs $2,274 in American Samoa, rent included.

French Polynesia $3,464
American Samoa $2,274

A family of three spends $4,613 per month in French Polynesia vs $3,079 in American Samoa, rent included.

French Polynesia $4,613
American Samoa $3,079

The regional cost range is wider in French Polynesia ($14–$2,283) than in American Samoa ($1,477–$1,477), so city choice matters more there.

The cost of living in French Polynesia is about 58% higher than in American Samoa on average.

Both French Polynesia and American Samoa are pricier than the global median – French Polynesia by 70%, American Samoa by 8%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.95 CFPF 1,809

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.4 CFPF 8,146

$35.28 $35.28

116.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.24 CFPF 1,520

$10.03 $10.03

41.97%

Cappuccino

$4.14 CFPF 441

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

$2.64 CFPF 281

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 CFPF 266

$0.98 $0.98

154.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.75 CFPF 507

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.58 CFPF 595

$3.92 $3.92

42.35%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.43 CFPF 153

$2.62 $2.62

-45.42%

White Bread (500g)

$4.40 CFPF 470

$2.83 $2.83

55.48%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.73 CFPF 185

$4.25 $4.25

-59.29%

Eggs

$6.74 CFPF 719

$4.51 $4.51

49.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$35.28 CFPF 3,764

$10.30 $10.30

242.52%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.39 CFPF 1,643

$9.95 $9.95

54.67%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$24.37 CFPF 2,600

$11.47 $11.47

112.47%

Apples (1kg)

$4.93 CFPF 526

$5.93 $5.93

-16.86%

Banana (1kg)

$2.88 CFPF 308

$0.97 $0.97

196.91%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.35 CFPF 678

$3.07 $3.07

106.84%

Tomato (1kg)

$7.63 CFPF 814

$4.02 $4.02

89.80%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 CFPF 312

$4.04 $4.04

-27.72%

Onion (1kg)

$2.42 CFPF 259

$4.05 $4.05

-40.25%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.65 CFPF 390

$2.05 $2.05

78.05%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.16 CFPF 123

$2.03 $2.03

-42.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.06 CFPF 1,393

$11.31 $11.31

15.47%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.36 CFPF 2,493

$15.27 $15.27

52.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.92 CFPF 312

$1.02 $1.02

186.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.76 CFPF 401

$3.00 $3.00

25.33%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.82 CFPF 194

$1.96 $1.96

-7.14%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.33 CFPF 1,529

$122 $122

-88.27%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.51 CFPF 1,014

$4.99 $4.99

90.58%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.39 CFPF 255

$2.03 $2.03

17.73%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.96 CFPF 2,450

$30.26 $30.26

-24.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 CFPF 153

$1.30 $1.30

10.77%

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

$18.6K CFPF 2.0M

$29.6K $29.6K

-37.28%

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

$30.4K CFPF 3.2M

$19.7K $19.7K

54.63%

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

$174 CFPF 18.5K

$410 $410

-57.67%

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

$18.73 CFPF 1,998

$29.48 $29.48

-36.47%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.8 CFPF 7,445

$75.8 $75.8

-7.92%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$73.0 CFPF 7,793

$50.3 $50.3

45.07%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.92 $9.92

Cinema Ticket

$14.25 CFPF 1,521

$8.79 $8.79

62.12%

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

$468 CFPF 49.9K

$1,002 $1,002

-53.36%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,405 CFPF 1.0M

$9,850 $9,850

-4.52%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.1 CFPF 7,376

$69.6 $69.6

-0.70%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$72.3 CFPF 7,716

$49.84 $49.84

45.10%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.0 CFPF 8,319

$80.1 $80.1

-2.62%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$89.4 CFPF 9,542

$100 $100

-10.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,233 CFPF 131.5K

$324 $324

280.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$922 CFPF 98.4K

$198 $198

366.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,868 CFPF 199.3K

$906 $906

106.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,473 CFPF 157.2K

$700 $700

110.36%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,062 CFPF 753.5K

$18.1K $18.1K

-61.07%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$9,027 CFPF 963.2K

$10.6K $10.6K

-14.58%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,876 CFPF 200.2K

$1,199 $1,199

56.45%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.6

53.33%

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

Last update for French Polynesia: October 24, 2026

Last update for American Samoa: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

French Polynesia

$922 39.8%

American Samoa

$198 13.5% 78.6% $724

Groceries & Markets

French Polynesia

$565 24.4%

American Samoa

$367 25% 35% $198

Eating Out

French Polynesia

$283 12.2%

American Samoa

$42 * 2.9% 85.2% $242

Monthly Utilities & Internet

French Polynesia

$262 11.3%

American Samoa

$515 35.1% 96.6% $253

Clothing & Footwear

French Polynesia

$139 6%

American Samoa

$135 9.2% 3% $4.1

Sport & Entertainment

French Polynesia

$102 4.4%

American Samoa

$68 4.6% 33.1% $34

Getting Around

French Polynesia

$43 1.9%

American Samoa

$145 9.9% 237% $102

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,170 in French Polynesia vs $327 in American Samoa. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,328 in Papeete and $327 in Pago Pago.

Average salary: $1,977 in French Polynesia vs $1,183 in American Samoa. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 258% higher in French Polynesia.

Dining out costs 111% more in French Polynesia.

Public transport is 793% more expensive in American Samoa.

Salaries are 67% higher in French Polynesia.

Good to know

🇵🇫 French Polynesia

🇦🇸 American Samoa

🕒 Local time

01:14 1:14 AM

00:14 12:14 AM

1 h behind French Polynesia

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

278,786

49,710

💱 Currency

CFP Franc XPF Fr

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 XPF = 9.37 USD

1,000 XPF = 8.42 EUR

1 USD = 0.899 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to XPF – CFP Franc Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🌐 CFP Franc (Fr)

CFP Franc exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 107 XPF (1,000 XPF = 9.37 USD). 1 EUR = 119 XPF (1,000 XPF = 8.42 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.899 EUR).

USD to XPF in detail →

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

French Polynesia American Samoa 2,290 km ≈ 3 h 15 min nonstop flight

From you

French Polynesia
American Samoa

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

French Polynesia vs American Samoa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

American Samoa is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 37% lower on average.

Housing costs more in French Polynesia: a central one-bedroom averages $1,170 versus $327 in American Samoa.

American Samoa is the budget-friendly choice for expats. But cost isn’t everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.