Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Cape Verde Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Cape Verde

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,626 per month in United States vs $501 in Cape Verde, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,830 per month in United States vs $824 in Cape Verde, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,033 per month in United States vs $1,147 in Cape Verde, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 424% higher than in Cape Verde on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 90% above the global median, while Cape Verde is 64% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.83 $19.83
$5.91 CVE 561
235.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8 $78.8
$55.0 CVE 5,222
43.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.19 $12.19
$8.29 CVE 788
47.04%
Cappuccino
$5.59 $5.59
$2.52 CVE 239
121.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 $2.78
$2.17 CVE 206
28.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.23 CVE 117
77.24%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.86 $5.86
$3.18 CVE 302
84.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.02 $8.02
$2.09 CVE 198
283.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.07 $1.07
$1.53 CVE 145
-30.07%
White Bread (500g)
$3.68 $3.68
$1.77 CVE 168
107.91%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.66 $4.66
$2.00 CVE 190
133.00%
Eggs
$4.20 $4.20
$2.43 CVE 230
72.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.78 $12.78
$13.87 CVE 1,317
-7.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.40 $12.40
$8.53 CVE 810
45.37%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.90 $16.90
$19.39 CVE 1,841
-12.84%
Apples (1kg)
$5.23 $5.23
$3.21 CVE 304
62.93%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 $1.66
$2.64 CVE 251
-37.12%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$3.10 CVE 294
39.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$4.06 CVE 385
22.17%
Potato (1kg)
$2.82 $2.82
$1.54 CVE 146
83.12%
Onion (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$1.79 CVE 170
73.74%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.19 $2.19
$1.34 CVE 127
63.43%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 $2.26
$1.24 CVE 118
82.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.35 $10.35
$5.31 CVE 505
94.92%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.81 $14.81
$8.30 CVE 789
78.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09 $2.09
$2.04 CVE 194
2.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 $3.65
$1.97 CVE 187
85.28%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.38 $2.38
$0.69 CVE 65.8
244.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.5 $64.5
$32.27 CVE 3,065
99.85%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.54 $3.54
$2.17 CVE 206
63.13%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 $1.86
$2.67 CVE 254
-30.34%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.34 $30.34
$15.92 CVE 1,512
90.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.00 $1.00
$1.55 CVE 147
-35.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K $35.5K
$30.1K CVE 2.9M
17.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$39.5K CVE 3.8M
-34.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$222 $222
$151 CVE 14.4K
46.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.1 $61.1
$17.24 CVE 1,637
254.58%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.7 $74.7
$56.0 CVE 5,315
33.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.49 $44.49
$30.67 CVE 2,912
45.06%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.35 $22.35
$8.10 CVE 770
175.93%
Cinema Ticket
$15.03 $15.03
$5.90 CVE 560
154.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,431 $1,431
$148 CVE 14.0K
869.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.9K $25.9K
$3,232 CVE 306.9K
700.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.6 $53.6
$53.0 CVE 5,033
1.09%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.46 $43.46
$26.06 CVE 2,475
66.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 $91.5
$69.9 CVE 6,638
30.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$141 CVE 13.4K
-19.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,633 $1,633
$444 CVE 42.1K
268.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,328 $1,328
$257 CVE 24.4K
416.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,606 $2,606
$607 CVE 57.6K
329.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,206 $2,206
$347 CVE 33.0K
535.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,323 $3,323
$1,162 CVE 110.3K
186.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,653 $2,653
$794 CVE 75.4K
234.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,306 $4,306
$343 CVE 32.5K
1157.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.21
7.33
-15.28%

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

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Last update for Cape Verde: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,604 in United States vs $171 in Cape Verde. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,360 in Columbia, TN and $595 in Praia.

Average salary: $4,526 in United States vs $289 in Cape Verde. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 838% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 168% more in United States.

Public transport is 125% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1466% 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
United States vs Cape Verde: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is cheaper: Cape Verde or United States?
Cape Verde is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 414% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Is rent more expensive in Cape Verde or in United States?
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.
How do daily expenses compare in Cape Verde vs United States?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Cape Verde, contributing to the overall 414% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Can you live in both Cape Verde and United States on $1,000 per month?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Cape Verde, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Which country is better for expats: Cape Verde or United States?
Cape Verde 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.

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