Cost of Living Comparison Between French Polynesia and American Samoa Cost of Living Comparison Between French Polynesia and American Samoa

Name: American Samoa
Address: AS

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $783 per month in French Polynesia vs $815 in American Samoa, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,188 per month in French Polynesia vs $1,385 in American Samoa, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,592 per month in French Polynesia vs $1,955 in American Samoa, rent included.

French Polynesia is roughly 4% cheaper than American Samoa on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both French Polynesia and American Samoa are more affordable than the global median – French Polynesia 42% lower, American Samoa 39% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.90 CFPF 1,636

$24.98 $24.98

-36.35%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.6 CFPF 8,392

$7.19 $7.19

1034.77%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.08 CFPF 1,243

Cappuccino

$4.49 CFPF 461

$1.02 $1.02

340.20%

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

$2.63 CFPF 270

$1.22 $1.22

115.57%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 CFPF 219

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.83 CFPF 497

$1.96 $1.96

146.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.96 CFPF 511

$2.04 $2.04

143.14%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.51 CFPF 155

$2.54 $2.54

-40.55%

White Bread (500g)

$2.80 CFPF 288

$2.92 $2.92

-4.11%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.63 CFPF 167

$4.23 $4.23

-61.47%

Eggs

$7.03 CFPF 723

$4.40 $4.40

59.77%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$38.13 CFPF 3,921

$10.09 $10.09

277.90%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.45 CFPF 1,692

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$27.44 CFPF 2,822

$11.50 $11.50

138.61%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 CFPF 555

Banana (1kg)

$2.35 CFPF 241

Oranges (1kg)

$6.61 CFPF 680

Tomato (1kg)

$7.73 CFPF 795

Potato (1kg)

$3.05 CFPF 314

Onion (1kg)

$2.74 CFPF 282

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.92 CFPF 403

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.16 CFPF 120

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.05 CFPF 1,239

$11.33 $11.33

6.35%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.95 CFPF 2,463

$14.87 $14.87

61.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 CFPF 262

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.71 CFPF 485

$2.88 $2.88

63.54%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.95 CFPF 201

$2.05 $2.05

-4.88%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.56 CFPF 983

$5.14 $5.14

85.99%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 CFPF 161

$1.35 $1.35

16.30%

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

$19.5K CFPF 2.0M

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

$29.0K CFPF 3.0M

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

$183 CFPF 18.8K

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

$17.42 CFPF 1,791

$29.96 $29.96

-41.86%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$106 CFPF 10.9K

$75.7 $75.7

39.52%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$73.2 CFPF 7,525

$49.35 $49.35

48.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.87 CFPF 1,838

$9.85 $9.85

81.42%

Cinema Ticket

$14.83 CFPF 1,525

$8.84 $8.84

67.76%

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

$484 CFPF 49.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,615 CFPF 988.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$98.7 CFPF 10.2K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$85.8 CFPF 8,828

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$108 CFPF 11.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 CFPF 11.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,332 CFPF 136.9K

$149 $149

795.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,090 CFPF 112.2K

$199 $199

448.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,093 CFPF 215.3K

$907 $907

130.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,871 CFPF 192.5K

$705 $705

165.24%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,577 CFPF 882.2K

$17.9K $17.9K

-52.15%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,962 CFPF 818.9K

$10.7K $10.7K

-25.71%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,919 CFPF 197.3K

$1,185 $1,185

61.93%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.4

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

Last update for French Polynesia: June 8, 2026

Last update for American Samoa: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $539 in French Polynesia vs $148 in American Samoa. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,243 in Papeete and $148 in Pago Pago.

Average salary: $2,100 in French Polynesia vs $1,214 in American Samoa. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 264% higher in French Polynesia.

Dining out costs 171% more in French Polynesia.

Salaries are 73% higher in French Polynesia, giving French Polynesia 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

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

American Samoa is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 38% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

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

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in American Samoa, contributing to the overall 38% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in American Samoa, but in French Polynesia 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.