Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Saint Helena and the United States

For one person, living is cheaper in Saint Helena: $572 a month against $2,720 in the United States, rent and utilities included – about $25,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Saint Helena
United States
🇸🇭 Saint Helena
$572
/mo nomad
🇺🇸 United States
$2,720
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Saint Helena and in the United States

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $572 in Saint Helena versus $2,720 in the United States.

  • Saint Helena $572
  • United States $2,720

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,202 in Saint Helena versus $3,954 in the United States.

  • Saint Helena $1,202
  • United States $3,954

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,832 in Saint Helena versus $5,188 in the United States.

  • Saint Helena $1,832
  • United States $5,188

Internal cost variation is higher in the United States: monthly costs span $984 to $5,225, compared to $89–$503 in Saint Helena. City choice carries more weight in the United States.

Living in Saint Helena costs about 79% less than in the United States on average.

Saint Helena (58% below) and the United States (101% above) straddle the global median.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Saint Helena
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.86 SHP 11.82
$19.75 $19.75
-19.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$67.2 SHP 50.1
$79.3 $79.3
-15.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.60 SHP 10.14
$11.78 $11.78
15.45%
Cappuccino
-
$5.62 $5.62
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18 SHP 0.88
$2.68 $2.68
-55.97%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99 SHP 0.74
$2.10 $2.10
-52.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$5.98 $5.98
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$7.89 $7.89
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Saint Helena
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$1.09 $1.09
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.95 SHP 1.46
$3.61 $3.61
-45.98%
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$4.61 $4.61
-
Eggs
$5.37 SHP 4.01
$4.34 $4.34
23.73%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$12.86 $12.86
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$12.50 $12.50
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.81 SHP 8.06
$17.41 $17.41
-37.91%
Apples (1kg)
-
$5.42 $5.42
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$1.66 $1.66
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$4.39 $4.39
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$4.96 $4.96
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$2.85 $2.85
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$3.06 $3.06
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$2.29 $2.29
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.32 SHP 0.99
$2.30 $2.30
-42.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.84 SHP 8.82
$11.01 $11.01
7.54%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.38 SHP 11.47
$14.94 $14.94
2.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.13 $2.13
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.79 $3.79
-
🚌 Getting Around
Saint Helena
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$2.04 $2.04
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$39.94 SHP 29.78
$59.1 $59.1
-32.36%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$3.48 $3.48
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$1.89 $1.89
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$29.76 $29.76
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.59 SHP 1.93
$1.08 $1.08
139.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$28.0K $28.0K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$25.8K $25.8K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Saint Helena
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$217 $217
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$62.7 $62.7
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$215 SHP 161
$73.0 $73.0
195.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Saint Helena
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$20.12 SHP 15.00
$42.08 $42.08
-52.19%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$23.10 $23.10
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$14.77 $14.77
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Saint Helena
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$1,490 $1,490
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$21.7K $21.7K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Saint Helena
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$53.5 $53.5
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$42.69 $42.69
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$92.7 $92.7
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$117 $117
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Saint Helena
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$736 SHP 549
$1,671 $1,671
-55.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,338 $1,338
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$2,723 $2,723
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$524 SHP 391
$2,131 $2,131
-75.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$3,269 $3,269
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,553 $2,553
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Saint Helena
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$769 SHP 573
$4,253 $4,253
-81.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
6.57
-

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

Last update for Saint Helena: November 1, 2026

Last update for the United States: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Saint Helena
–
United States
$1.3K
Groceries & Markets
Saint Helena
–
United States
$415
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Saint Helena
–
United States
$352
Eating Out
Saint Helena
–
United States
$326
Clothing & Footwear
Saint Helena
–
United States
$137
Getting Around
Saint Helena
–
United States
$80
Sport & Entertainment
Saint Helena
–
United States
$72

Cost Breakdown

National salary averages: $777 in Saint Helena, $4,531 in the United States. Higher pay doesn’t always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 122% higher in the United States.

Dining out costs 10% more in the United States.

Public transport is 54% more expensive in the United States.

Salaries are about 5.8 times higher in the United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in the United States.

Good to know
🇸🇭 Saint Helena
🇺🇸 United States
🕒 Local time
17:11 5:11 PM
12:11 12:11 PM
5 h behind Saint Helena
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
5,633
340,110,988
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to SHP – Saint Helena Pound Converter

Saint Helena Pound exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 0.746 SHP (1 SHP = 1.34 USD). 1 EUR = 0.835 SHP (1 SHP = 1.2 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.893 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Saint Helena United States 10,270 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Saint Helena
  • United States

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
Saint Helena vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Saint Helena and the United States?
At $572 per month in Saint Helena and $2,720 in the United States, Saint Helena comes out about 79% cheaper. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Day-to-day life is cheaper in Saint Helena: lower grocery prices, cheaper commutes, and more affordable meals out. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $1,628 in the United States and $733 in Saint Helena. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.
Should I move to Saint Helena or to the United States?
It depends on what you’re after: Saint Helena wins on affordability, while salaries, visas, language, and lifestyle can tip the balance either way.

Saint Helena vs other spots: cost of living compared

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