🙂A single person spends $2,117 per month in Solomon Islands vs $2,643 in United States, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,846 per month in Solomon Islands vs $3,857 in United States, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,574 per month in Solomon Islands vs $5,070 in United States, rent included.
🙂Solomon Islands is roughly 20% cheaper than United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Solomon Islands and United States are pricier than the global median – Solomon Islands by 58%, United States by 97%.
📏United States has a wider regional cost range ($1,343–$5,081) than Solomon Islands ($2,103–$2,132), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.45SBD 35.74
$20.04$20.04
-77.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.3SBD 435
$76.0$76.0
-28.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.00SBD 96.3
$11.42$11.42
5.08%
Cappuccino
$3.02SBD 24.23
$5.39$5.39
-43.97%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51SBD 12.15
$2.55$2.55
-40.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17SBD 9.38
$2.04$2.04
-42.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.46SBD 19.77
$6.14$6.14
-59.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24SBD 26.00
$7.18$7.18
-54.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.63SBD 21.13
$1.04$1.04
152.88%
White Bread(500g)
$1.47SBD 11.76
$3.65$3.65
-59.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.43SBD 11.49
$4.73$4.73
-69.77%
Eggs
$5.43SBD 43.55
$4.38$4.38
23.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.86SBD 47.03
$12.76$12.76
-54.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.30SBD 66.6
$12.42$12.42
-33.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.33SBD 115
$16.41$16.41
-12.68%
Apples(1kg)
$8.29SBD 66.5
$5.42$5.42
52.95%
Banana(1kg)
$2.65SBD 21.23
$1.65$1.65
60.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$7.34SBD 58.9
$4.59$4.59
59.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.23SBD 25.95
$4.91$4.91
-34.22%
Potato(1kg)
$2.31SBD 18.53
$2.92$2.92
-20.89%
Onion(1kg)
$3.14SBD 25.18
$3.13$3.13
0.32%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.47SBD 11.76
$2.26$2.26
-34.96%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.14SBD 9.15
$2.30$2.30
-50.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96SBD 31.79
$9.89$9.89
-59.96%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.63SBD 101
$15.10$15.10
-16.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.85SBD 14.85
$1.91$1.91
-3.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92SBD 23.41
$3.66$3.66
-20.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34SBD 2.75
$2.48$2.48
-86.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.78SBD 239
$64.8$64.8
-54.06%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.19SBD 9.55
$3.84$3.84
-69.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.22SBD 9.80
$1.76$1.76
-30.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.92SBD 95.6
$30.58$30.58
-61.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.39SBD 11.17
$0.96$0.96
44.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.8KSBD 158.6K
$30.5K$30.5K
-35.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3KSBD 170.7K
$26.4K$26.4K
-19.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$728SBD 5,838
$204$204
256.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.37SBD 188
$57.3$57.3
-59.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$97.2SBD 780
$71.2$71.2
36.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.03SBD 145
$46.67$46.67
-61.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.88SBD 47.15
$22.12$22.12
-73.42%
Cinema Ticket
$4.30SBD 34.52
$13.84$13.84
-68.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$119SBD 958
$1,384$1,384
-91.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,249SBD 18.0K
$22.7K$22.7K
-90.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.41SBD 196
$53.0$53.0
-53.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$89.1SBD 715
$43.17$43.17
106.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.2SBD 772
$90.6$90.6
6.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.0SBD 722
$114$114
-21.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$523SBD 4,193
$1,766$1,766
-70.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$474SBD 3,802
$1,459$1,459
-67.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,106SBD 8,875
$2,832$2,832
-60.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$910SBD 7,305
$2,411$2,411
-62.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$86.7KSBD 695.6K
$3,287$3,287
2537.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$61.6KSBD 494.0K
$2,650$2,650
2223.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$472SBD 3,790
$4,379$4,379
-89.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16.33
6.51
150.84%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Solomon Islands: June 1, 2026
Last update for United States: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $563 in Solomon Islands vs $1,637 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $547 in Honiara and $2,591 in Washington, DC.
💰Average salary: $545 in Solomon Islands vs $4,500 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 191% higher in United States.
⭐Dining out costs 38% more in United States.
⭐Salaries are 726% higher in United States, giving United States 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
Solomon Islands vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solomon Islands more expensive than United States?
Solomon Islands is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 52% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Solomon Islands, contributing to the overall 52% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Solomon Islands or United States?
$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Solomon Islands, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Solomon Islands or United States?
Solomon Islands 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.
Solomon Islands vs other spots: cost of living compared