Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Pago Pago and Anchorage, AK

For one person, living is cheaper in Pago Pago: $1,456 a month against $3,251 in Anchorage, AK, rent and utilities included – about $21,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Pago Pago
🇦🇸 American Samoa
$1,456
/mo nomad
Anchorage, AK
🇺🇸 United States
$3,251
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Pago Pago and in Anchorage, AK

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,456 in Pago Pago versus $3,251 in Anchorage, AK.

  • Pago Pago $1,456
  • Anchorage, AK $3,251

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,262 in Pago Pago versus $4,799 in Anchorage, AK.

  • Pago Pago $2,262
  • Anchorage, AK $4,799

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,068 in Pago Pago versus $6,346 in Anchorage, AK.

  • Pago Pago $3,068
  • Anchorage, AK $6,346

Living in Pago Pago costs roughly 55% less than in Anchorage, AK, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Pago Pago 9% above, Anchorage, AK 143% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pago Pago
Anchorage, AK
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$25.37 $25.37
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.18 $36.18
$102 $102
-64.37%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.07 $10.07
$14.88 $14.88
-32.33%
Cappuccino
-
$6.80 $6.80
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.28 $3.28
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.01 $1.01
$2.56 $2.56
-60.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$7.83 $7.83
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.89 $3.89
$9.73 $9.73
-60.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pago Pago
Anchorage, AK
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.59 $2.59
$1.19 $1.19
117.65%
White Bread (500g)
$2.82 $2.82
$4.80 $4.80
-41.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.20 $4.20
$6.33 $6.33
-33.65%
Eggs
$4.63 $4.63
$4.32 $4.32
7.18%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.03 $10.03
$13.83 $13.83
-27.48%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.83 $9.83
$12.52 $12.52
-21.49%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.47 $11.47
$21.84 $21.84
-47.48%
Apples (1kg)
$6.15 $6.15
$7.99 $7.99
-23.03%
Banana (1kg)
$1.02 $1.02
$2.26 $2.26
-54.87%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.93 $2.93
$5.58 $5.58
-47.49%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.02 $4.02
$6.23 $6.23
-35.47%
Potato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$2.94 $2.94
33.33%
Onion (1kg)
$4.06 $4.06
$3.05 $3.05
33.11%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.98 $1.98
$2.76 $2.76
-28.26%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.36 $2.36
-14.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.49 $11.49
$12.79 $12.79
-10.16%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.79 $14.79
$17.74 $17.74
-16.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99 $0.99
$1.69 $1.69
-41.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 $2.88
$3.37 $3.37
-14.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Pago Pago
Anchorage, AK
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.03 $2.03
$1.96 $1.96
3.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$124 $124
$60.9 $60.9
103.45%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.07 $5.07
$2.80 $2.80
81.07%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 $2.05
$1.88 $1.88
9.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.49 $29.49
$41.99 $41.99
-29.77%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 $1.36
$1.30 $1.30
4.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7K $29.7K
$33.5K $33.5K
-11.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.2K $20.2K
$25.7K $25.7K
-21.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pago Pago
Anchorage, AK
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$404 $404
$409 $409
-1.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.11 $30.11
$90.2 $90.2
-66.63%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$76.3 $76.3
$137 $137
-44.26%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pago Pago
Anchorage, AK
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.35 $49.35
$89.3 $89.3
-44.71%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.06 $10.06
$39.86 $39.86
-74.76%
Cinema Ticket
$9.22 $9.22
$15.28 $15.28
-39.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pago Pago
Anchorage, AK
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$989 $989
$1,227 $1,227
-19.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,838 $9,838
$10.6K $10.6K
-6.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pago Pago
Anchorage, AK
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.4 $69.4
$49.59 $49.59
39.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.3 $50.3
$45.89 $45.89
9.54%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.3 $81.3
$112 $112
-27.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102 $102
$122 $122
-16.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pago Pago
Anchorage, AK
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$327 $327
$1,788 $1,788
-81.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$201 $201
$1,410 $1,410
-85.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$884 $884
$2,845 $2,845
-68.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$707 $707
$2,437 $2,437
-70.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$18.1K $18.1K
$4,006 $4,006
351.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$10.7K $10.7K
$2,789 $2,789
282.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pago Pago
Anchorage, AK
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,217 $1,217
$4,681 $4,681
-73.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3
6.49
-53.78%

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

Last update for Pago Pago: October 4, 2026

Last update for Anchorage, AK: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pago Pago
$510
Anchorage, AK
$637 24.8% $127
Groceries & Markets
Pago Pago
$364
Anchorage, AK
$484 33% $120
Accommodation & Living
Pago Pago
$201
Anchorage, AK
$1.4K 601% $1.2K
Getting Around
Pago Pago
$147
Anchorage, AK
$81 45.1% $66
Clothing & Footwear
Pago Pago
$136
Anchorage, AK
$148 8.8% $12
Sport & Entertainment
Pago Pago
$68
Anchorage, AK
$120 76.8% $52
Eating Out
Pago Pago
$42 *
Anchorage, AK
$411 878% $369

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

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $327 in Pago Pago and $1,788 in Anchorage, AK. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Anchorage, AK pays 284% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $36.00 in Pago Pago vs $102 in Anchorage, AK for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $364 vs $484 per month, with Pago Pago cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇦🇸 Pago Pago
🇺🇸 Anchorage, AK
🕒 Local time
15:55 3:55 PM
18:55 6:55 PM
3 h ahead of Pago Pago
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
11,500 Capital
289,600
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Pago Pago Anchorage, AK 8,640 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Pago Pago
  • Anchorage, AK

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
Pago Pago vs Anchorage, AK: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Pago Pago or Anchorage, AK?
Pago Pago wins on cost – living expenses run 123% lower than in Anchorage, AK. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Pago Pago the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Pago Pago or in Anchorage, AK?
On paper, salaries run 284% lower in Anchorage, AK. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Pago Pago compared to Anchorage, AK?
Rent for a central apartment: $327 in Pago Pago versus $1,788 in Anchorage, AK. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Pago Pago and in Anchorage, AK?
Dining out is cheaper in Pago Pago – a meal for two runs $36.00 versus $102 in Anchorage, AK. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Pago Pago compared to Anchorage, AK?
All in, you'll spend $1,456 per month in Pago Pago versus $3,251 in Anchorage, AK – a 123% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Pago Pago or in Anchorage, AK?
At $1,456 in Pago Pago versus $3,251 in Anchorage, AK, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Pago Pago but tight or insufficient in Anchorage, AK. The gap between the two cities makes Pago Pago the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Pago Pago or Anchorage, AK?
Both work as nomad bases, but Pago Pago delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,456 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Pago Pago hard to pass up.
How safe is Pago Pago compared to Anchorage, AK?
Safety-wise, Pago Pago and Anchorage, AK are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Pago Pago gentler on the wallet – expenses run 123% less than in Anchorage, AK. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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