🙂A single person spends $1,967 per month in Solomon Islands vs $2,622 in United States, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,988 per month in Solomon Islands vs $3,830 in United States, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $4,009 per month in Solomon Islands vs $5,038 in United States, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Solomon Islands is roughly 25% lower than in 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 43%, United States by 91%.
📏The regional cost range is wider in United States ($983–$5,177) than in Solomon Islands ($1,718–$2,216), so city choice matters more there.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.37SBD 51.0
$19.78$19.78
-67.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8SBD 518
$81.4$81.4
-20.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.36SBD 98.9
$12.11$12.11
2.06%
Cappuccino
$3.44SBD 27.51
$5.44$5.44
-36.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49SBD 11.90
$2.67$2.67
-44.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13SBD 9.03
$2.08$2.08
-45.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.82SBD 22.58
$6.06$6.06
-53.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.76SBD 38.10
$8.14$8.14
-41.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.86SBD 22.87
$1.05$1.05
172.38%
White Bread(500g)
$1.48SBD 11.82
$3.65$3.65
-59.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60SBD 12.81
$4.45$4.45
-64.04%
Eggs
$5.97SBD 47.72
$4.35$4.35
37.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.02SBD 56.2
$12.73$12.73
-44.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.05SBD 64.4
$12.46$12.46
-35.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.74SBD 118
$16.95$16.95
-13.04%
Apples(1kg)
$6.59SBD 52.7
$5.30$5.30
24.34%
Banana(1kg)
$2.70SBD 21.63
$1.70$1.70
58.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$8.38SBD 67.0
$4.40$4.40
90.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.71SBD 29.68
$5.01$5.01
-25.95%
Potato(1kg)
$2.21SBD 17.67
$2.87$2.87
-23.00%
Onion(1kg)
$3.41SBD 27.25
$3.13$3.13
8.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.63SBD 13.04
$2.32$2.32
-29.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.21SBD 9.65
$2.34$2.34
-48.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.33SBD 34.62
$10.55$10.55
-58.96%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.27SBD 98.1
$14.94$14.94
-17.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75SBD 13.98
$2.12$2.12
-17.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22SBD 25.72
$3.69$3.69
-12.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36SBD 2.85
$2.37$2.37
-84.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.83SBD 255
$65.1$65.1
-51.08%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.22SBD 9.76
$3.42$3.42
-64.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.26SBD 10.08
$1.89$1.89
-33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.56SBD 100
$30.16$30.16
-58.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43SBD 11.42
$0.98$0.98
45.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.1KSBD 160.5K
$35.9K$35.9K
-44.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.2KSBD 225.6K
$25.9K$25.9K
8.79%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$551SBD 4,408
$218$218
153.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.42SBD 195
$61.0$61.0
-59.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$102SBD 817
$74.8$74.8
36.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.59SBD 221
$44.42$44.42
-37.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.31SBD 74.5
$22.53$22.53
-58.68%
Cinema Ticket
$4.31SBD 34.46
$14.80$14.80
-70.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$123SBD 987
$1,476$1,476
-91.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,325SBD 18.6K
$25.9K$25.9K
-91.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.51SBD 212
$54.4$54.4
-51.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$94.6SBD 756
$43.59$43.59
116.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.4SBD 795
$92.9$92.9
6.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$101SBD 808
$114$114
-11.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$599SBD 4,793
$1,639$1,639
-63.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$522SBD 4,173
$1,358$1,358
-61.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,603SBD 12.8K
$2,699$2,699
-40.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,349SBD 10.8K
$2,199$2,199
-38.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$87.7KSBD 701.8K
$3,269$3,269
2584.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$61.5KSBD 491.6K
$2,589$2,589
2274.40%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$475SBD 3,801
$4,357$4,357
-89.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.83
6.21
154.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Solomon Islands: August 30, 2026
Last update for United States: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $751 in Solomon Islands vs $1,606 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $902 in Honiara and $1,373 in Columbia, TN.
💰Average salary: $558 in Solomon Islands vs $4,519 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 114% higher in United States.
⭐Dining out costs 25% more in United States.
⭐Salaries are 710% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.
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 57% 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 57% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Solomon Islands or in 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 to 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