Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and American Samoa Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and American Samoa

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,645 per month in United States vs $821 in American Samoa, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,858 per month in United States vs $1,411 in American Samoa, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,071 per month in United States vs $2,001 in American Samoa, rent included.

United States costs about 222% more than American Samoa on average โ€” the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 97% above the global median, while American Samoa is 39% below โ€“ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

United States has a wider regional cost range ($1,335โ€“$5,185) than American Samoa ($821โ€“$821), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
United States
American Samoa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.28 $20.28
$25.37 $25.37
-20.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.7 $73.7
$6.95 $6.95
960.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.57 $11.57
-
-
Cappuccino
$5.34 $5.34
$1.01 $1.01
428.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$1.23 $1.23
103.25%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10 $2.10
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.96 $5.96
$2.05 $2.05
190.73%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.03 $7.03
$1.99 $1.99
253.27%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
United States
American Samoa
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$2.63 $2.63
-58.56%
White Bread (500g)
$3.56 $3.56
$2.94 $2.94
21.09%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.75 $4.75
$4.39 $4.39
8.20%
Eggs
$4.26 $4.26
$4.45 $4.45
-4.27%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.05 $13.05
$10.33 $10.33
26.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.32 $12.32
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.03 $16.03
$11.18 $11.18
43.38%
Apples (1kg)
$5.34 $5.34
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.72 $1.72
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$4.55 $4.55
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$2.92 $2.92
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$3.03 $3.03
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.23 $2.23
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 $2.26
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.13 $10.13
$11.44 $11.44
-11.45%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.93 $14.93
$15.27 $15.27
-2.23%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.94 $1.94
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51 $3.51
$2.89 $2.89
21.45%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
United States
American Samoa
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.55 $2.55
$2.02 $2.02
26.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.8 $65.8
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.82 $3.82
$4.95 $4.95
-22.83%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.69 $1.69
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.65 $29.65
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.90 $0.90
$1.36 $1.36
-33.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K $30.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K $26.4K
-
-
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
American Samoa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$205 $205
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.2 $57.2
$29.74 $29.74
92.20%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.5 $71.5
$75.7 $75.7
-5.59%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
United States
American Samoa
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.76 $45.76
$49.82 $49.82
-8.15%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.31 $22.31
$10.19 $10.19
118.94%
Cinema Ticket
$13.89 $13.89
$9.18 $9.18
51.31%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
United States
American Samoa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,380 $1,380
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.5K $22.5K
-
-
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
United States
American Samoa
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.9 $52.9
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.81 $42.81
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.8 $88.8
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 $113
-
-
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
United States
American Samoa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,742 $1,742
$147 $147
1082.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,431 $1,431
$199 $199
619.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,864 $2,864
$913 $913
213.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,422 $2,422
$695 $695
248.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,466 $3,466
$17.6K $17.6K
-80.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,650 $2,650
$10.9K $10.9K
-75.72%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
United States
American Samoa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,320 $4,320
$1,199 $1,199
260.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
0
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for United States: April 19, 2026

Last update for American Samoa: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,634 in United States vs $153 in American Samoa. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,570 in Washington, DC and $153 in Pago Pago.

Average salary: $4,489 in United States vs $1,201 in American Samoa. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 968% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 943% more in United States.

Salaries are 274% 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
United States vs American Samoa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Samoa more expensive than United States?
American Samoa is the cheaper option โ€“ living costs run roughly 297% 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 American Samoa, contributing to the overall 297% price gap. The savings show up everywhere โ€“ from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in American Samoa or United States?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in American Samoa, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to American Samoa or United States?
American Samoa is the budget-friendly choice for expats โ€“ lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

United States vs other spots: cost of living compared

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