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 $790 per month in French Polynesia vs $816 in American Samoa, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,187 per month in French Polynesia vs $1,379 in American Samoa, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,583 per month in French Polynesia vs $1,942 in American Samoa, rent included.

The cost of living in French Polynesia is roughly 3% lower than in 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 41% lower, American Samoa 39% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.13 CFPF 1,687

$25.17 $25.17

-35.92%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.8 CFPF 8,340

$6.98 $6.98

1042.84%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.34 CFPF 1,290

Cappuccino

$4.52 CFPF 473

$1.02 $1.02

343.14%

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

$2.76 CFPF 288

$1.21 $1.21

128.10%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 CFPF 230

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.95 CFPF 518

$1.98 $1.98

150.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.99 CFPF 522

$1.98 $1.98

152.02%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.45 CFPF 151

$2.50 $2.50

-42.00%

White Bread (500g)

$2.75 CFPF 288

$2.84 $2.84

-3.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.70 CFPF 178

$4.42 $4.42

-61.54%

Eggs

$7.20 CFPF 752

$4.48 $4.48

60.71%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$39.16 CFPF 4,094

$10.37 $10.37

277.63%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.80 CFPF 1,757

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$26.82 CFPF 2,804

$11.56 $11.56

132.01%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 CFPF 582

Banana (1kg)

$2.37 CFPF 248

Oranges (1kg)

$6.86 CFPF 717

Tomato (1kg)

$7.80 CFPF 815

Potato (1kg)

$3.03 CFPF 317

Onion (1kg)

$2.69 CFPF 281

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.82 CFPF 399

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.11 CFPF 116

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.14 CFPF 1,269

$11.72 $11.72

3.58%

Wine (Bottle)

$24.27 CFPF 2,537

$15.08 $15.08

60.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.57 CFPF 269

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.65 CFPF 487

$2.87 $2.87

62.02%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.99 CFPF 208

$1.94 $1.94

2.58%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.98 CFPF 1,044

$4.95 $4.95

101.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.52 CFPF 159

$1.29 $1.29

17.83%

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

$19.7K CFPF 2.1M

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

$28.6K CFPF 3.0M

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

$179 CFPF 18.7K

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

$17.68 CFPF 1,848

$29.84 $29.84

-40.75%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$106 CFPF 11.1K

$74.4 $74.4

42.54%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$73.3 CFPF 7,660

$49.24 $49.24

48.80%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.52 CFPF 1,832

$9.81 $9.81

78.59%

Cinema Ticket

$14.32 CFPF 1,498

$9.07 $9.07

57.88%

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

$485 CFPF 50.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,864 CFPF 1.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$99.1 CFPF 10.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$84.7 CFPF 8,851

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$108 CFPF 11.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 CFPF 11.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,306 CFPF 136.5K

$151 $151

763.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,084 CFPF 113.3K

$199 $199

444.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,102 CFPF 219.8K

$885 $885

137.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,869 CFPF 195.4K

$710 $710

163.11%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,452 CFPF 883.7K

$17.7K $17.7K

-52.29%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,640 CFPF 798.8K

$10.7K $10.7K

-28.75%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,931 CFPF 201.9K

$1,179 $1,179

63.77%

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: July 26, 2026

Last update for American Samoa: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $536 in French Polynesia vs $151 in American Samoa. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,233 in Papeete and $151 in Pago Pago.

Average salary: $2,056 in French Polynesia 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 255% higher in French Polynesia.

Dining out costs 171% more in French Polynesia.

Salaries are 69% higher in French Polynesia, and purchasing power comes out stronger in French Polynesia.

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 41% 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 41% 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.