Cost of Living Comparison Between South Sudan and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between South Sudan and United States

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $236 in South Sudan versus $2,626 in United States.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $369 in South Sudan versus $3,830 in United States.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $502 in South Sudan versus $5,033 in United States.

Living in South Sudan costs about 91% less than in United States on average.

South Sudan (83% below) and United States (90% above) straddle the global median.

Internal cost variation is higher in South Sudan: monthly costs span $236 to $236, compared to $986$5,298 in United States. City choice carries more weight in South Sudan.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
South Sudan
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.20 SSP 56.9K
$19.83 $19.83
1.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$171 SSP 480.0K
$78.8 $78.8
116.38%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.57 SSP 21.3K
$12.19 $12.19
-37.90%
Cappuccino
$3.15 SSP 8,863
$5.59 $5.59
-43.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49 SSP 4,188
$2.78 $2.78
-46.40%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 SSP 3,808
$2.18 $2.18
-38.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$5.86 $5.86
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$12.19 SSP 34.3K
$8.02 $8.02
52.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
South Sudan
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$1.07 $1.07
-
White Bread (500g)
-
$3.68 $3.68
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$4.66 $4.66
-
Eggs
-
$4.20 $4.20
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.27 SSP 20.5K
$12.78 $12.78
-43.11%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.39 SSP 15.2K
$12.40 $12.40
-56.53%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.68 SSP 32.9K
$16.90 $16.90
-30.89%
Apples (1kg)
-
$5.23 $5.23
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$1.66 $1.66
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$4.33 $4.33
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$4.96 $4.96
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$2.82 $2.82
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$3.11 $3.11
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$2.19 $2.19
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.26 $2.26
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$10.35 $10.35
-
Wine (Bottle)
-
$14.81 $14.81
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.09 $2.09
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.65 $3.65
-
🚌 Getting Around
South Sudan
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$2.38 $2.38
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$64.5 $64.5
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$3.54 $3.54
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$1.86 $1.86
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$30.34 $30.34
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.00 $1.00
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$35.5K $35.5K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$25.9K $25.9K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
South Sudan
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$222 $222
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$61.1 $61.1
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$74.7 $74.7
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
South Sudan
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$44.49 $44.49
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$22.35 $22.35
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$15.03 $15.03
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
South Sudan
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$1,431 $1,431
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$25.9K $25.9K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
South Sudan
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$53.6 $53.6
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$43.46 $43.46
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$91.5 $91.5
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$114 $114
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
South Sudan
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,633 $1,633
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,328 $1,328
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$2,606 $2,606
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$2,206 $2,206
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,098 SSP 3.1M
$3,323 $3,323
-66.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$589 SSP 1.7M
$2,653 $2,653
-77.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
South Sudan
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,052 SSP 5.8M
$4,306 $4,306
-52.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.85
6.21
42.51%

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

Last update for South Sudan: September 5, 2026

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National salary averages: $1,801 in South Sudan, $4,526 in United States. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Salaries are 151% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in South Sudan.

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
South Sudan vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the cost of living in South Sudan compare to the cost in United States?
At $236 per month in South Sudan and $3,142 in United States, there's a 1231% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
How do daily expenses compare in South Sudan vs United States?
Day-to-day life is simply cheaper in South Sudan: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Is rent more expensive in South Sudan or in United States?
Rent in United States is consistently higher than in South Sudan across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Can you live in both South Sudan and United States on $800 per month?
In South Sudan, $800 covers most cities easily; in United States it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Which country is better for expats: South Sudan or United States?
It depends on what you're after: South Sudan wins on affordability; United States may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.

South Sudan vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar countries