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 $787 per month in French Polynesia vs $821 in American Samoa, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,196 per month in French Polynesia vs $1,411 in American Samoa, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,604 per month in French Polynesia vs $2,001 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 41% lower, American Samoa 39% lower.

French Polynesia has a wider regional cost range ($0–$2,251) than American Samoa ($821–$821), so location matters more when choosing where to live in French Polynesia.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.81 CFPF 1,614

$25.37 $25.37

-37.68%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.7 CFPF 8,133

$6.95 $6.95

1046.47%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.93 CFPF 1,218

Cappuccino

$4.38 CFPF 447

$1.01 $1.01

333.66%

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

$2.66 CFPF 271

$1.23 $1.23

116.26%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 CFPF 225

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.04 CFPF 515

$2.05 $2.05

145.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.77 CFPF 487

$1.99 $1.99

139.70%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.50 CFPF 153

$2.63 $2.63

-42.97%

White Bread (500g)

$2.86 CFPF 292

$2.94 $2.94

-2.72%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.66 CFPF 170

$4.39 $4.39

-62.19%

Eggs

$7.37 CFPF 753

$4.45 $4.45

65.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$38.55 CFPF 3,935

$10.33 $10.33

273.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.05 CFPF 1,740

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$27.36 CFPF 2,792

$11.18 $11.18

144.72%

Apples (1kg)

$5.38 CFPF 549

Banana (1kg)

$2.40 CFPF 245

Oranges (1kg)

$6.83 CFPF 698

Tomato (1kg)

$7.84 CFPF 800

Potato (1kg)

$3.05 CFPF 312

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 CFPF 279

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.93 CFPF 401

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 CFPF 114

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.05 CFPF 1,230

$11.44 $11.44

5.33%

Wine (Bottle)

$24.51 CFPF 2,502

$15.27 $15.27

60.51%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 CFPF 261

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.59 CFPF 469

$2.89 $2.89

58.82%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.92 CFPF 196

$2.02 $2.02

-4.95%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.91 CFPF 1,011

$4.95 $4.95

100.20%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.59 CFPF 162

$1.36 $1.36

16.91%

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

$19.1K CFPF 2.0M

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

$28.9K CFPF 2.9M

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

$184 CFPF 18.8K

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

$17.61 CFPF 1,797

$29.74 $29.74

-40.79%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$106 CFPF 10.8K

$75.7 $75.7

39.80%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$73.4 CFPF 7,491

$49.82 $49.82

47.31%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.55 CFPF 1,791

$10.19 $10.19

72.23%

Cinema Ticket

$14.69 CFPF 1,500

$9.18 $9.18

60.02%

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

$477 CFPF 48.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,768 CFPF 997.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$98.0 CFPF 9,997

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$84.4 CFPF 8,612

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$110 CFPF 11.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 CFPF 10.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,313 CFPF 134.0K

$147 $147

790.73%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,100 CFPF 112.3K

$199 $199

453.29%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,107 CFPF 215.0K

$913 $913

130.65%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,840 CFPF 187.8K

$695 $695

164.68%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,564 CFPF 874.2K

$17.6K $17.6K

-51.34%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,932 CFPF 809.7K

$10.9K $10.9K

-27.31%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,966 CFPF 200.7K

$1,199 $1,199

64.04%

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: April 22, 2026

Last update for American Samoa: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $537 in French Polynesia vs $153 in American Samoa. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,232 in Papeete and $153 in Pago Pago.

Average salary: $2,144 in French Polynesia vs $1,201 in American Samoa. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 251% higher in French Polynesia.

Dining out costs 171% more in French Polynesia.

Salaries are 79% 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 37% 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 37% 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.