Cost of Living Comparison Between Solomon Islands and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Solomon Islands and United States

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,129 per month in Solomon Islands vs $2,642 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,857 per month in Solomon Islands vs $3,857 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,585 per month in Solomon Islands vs $5,072 in United States, rent included.

The cost of living in Solomon Islands is roughly 19% 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 59%, United States by 98%.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($1,335$5,182) than in Solomon Islands ($2,120$2,137), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.59 SBD 37.03
$19.63 $19.63
-76.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.7 SBD 433
$75.4 $75.4
-28.80%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.84 SBD 95.6
$11.57 $11.57
2.33%
Cappuccino
$3.04 SBD 24.52
$5.22 $5.22
-41.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46 SBD 11.77
$2.49 $2.49
-41.37%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18 SBD 9.52
$2.06 $2.06
-42.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.35 SBD 18.93
$5.91 $5.91
-60.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28 SBD 26.46
$7.13 $7.13
-54.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.68 SBD 21.65
$1.09 $1.09
145.87%
White Bread (500g)
$1.47 SBD 11.85
$3.56 $3.56
-58.71%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.44 SBD 11.59
$4.74 $4.74
-69.62%
Eggs
$5.64 SBD 45.52
$4.34 $4.34
29.95%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.79 SBD 46.69
$12.68 $12.68
-54.34%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.16 SBD 65.8
$12.28 $12.28
-33.55%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.84 SBD 112
$16.60 $16.60
-16.63%
Apples (1kg)
$8.55 SBD 69.0
$5.16 $5.16
65.70%
Banana (1kg)
$2.66 SBD 21.45
$1.70 $1.70
56.47%
Oranges (1kg)
$7.52 SBD 60.7
$4.45 $4.45
68.99%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.15 SBD 25.45
$4.80 $4.80
-34.38%
Potato (1kg)
$2.25 SBD 18.13
$2.93 $2.93
-23.21%
Onion (1kg)
$3.13 SBD 25.25
$3.09 $3.09
1.29%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.46 SBD 11.80
$2.22 $2.22
-34.23%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09 SBD 8.79
$2.25 $2.25
-51.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.01 SBD 32.35
$9.90 $9.90
-59.49%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.62 SBD 102
$15.28 $15.28
-17.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88 SBD 15.20
$1.91 $1.91
-1.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 SBD 23.60
$3.58 $3.58
-18.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.35 SBD 2.82
$2.46 $2.46
-85.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$30.46 SBD 246
$64.6 $64.6
-52.88%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.22 SBD 9.85
$3.77 $3.77
-67.64%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.16 SBD 9.35
$1.71 $1.71
-32.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.84 SBD 95.5
$30.08 $30.08
-60.64%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.37 SBD 11.05
$0.96 $0.96
42.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.4K SBD 165.0K
$29.9K $29.9K
-31.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1K SBD 170.4K
$26.1K $26.1K
-19.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$732 SBD 5,903
$210 $210
248.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.24 SBD 188
$56.3 $56.3
-58.71%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$99.1 SBD 799
$72.9 $72.9
35.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$17.98 SBD 145
$45.39 $45.39
-60.39%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.09 SBD 49.13
$21.60 $21.60
-71.81%
Cinema Ticket
$4.16 SBD 33.59
$14.04 $14.04
-70.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$118 SBD 949
$1,377 $1,377
-91.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,218 SBD 17.9K
$22.4K $22.4K
-90.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.46 SBD 197
$52.7 $52.7
-53.60%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$89.1 SBD 718
$42.41 $42.41
109.97%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.8 SBD 773
$91.8 $91.8
4.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.6 SBD 723
$114 $114
-21.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$517 SBD 4,170
$1,765 $1,765
-70.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$473 SBD 3,820
$1,462 $1,462
-67.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,122 SBD 9,050
$2,849 $2,849
-60.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$918 SBD 7,406
$2,369 $2,369
-61.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$88.4K SBD 713.6K
$3,364 $3,364
2529.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$61.2K SBD 494.1K
$2,665 $2,665
2197.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Solomon Islands
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$468 SBD 3,775
$4,378 $4,378
-89.31%
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: July 13, 2026

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $557 in Solomon Islands vs $1,635 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $532 in Honiara and $1,625 in Washington, MI.

Average salary: $546 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 194% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 38% more in United States.

Salaries are 724% 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 53% 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 53% 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

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