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 $2,642 per month in United States vs $527 in Cape Verde, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $879 in Cape Verde, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,072 per month in United States vs $1,230 in Cape Verde, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 401% higher than in Cape Verde on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 98% above the global median, while Cape Verde is 61% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.63 $19.63
$5.10 CVE 492
284.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.4 $75.4
$51.7 CVE 4,986
45.95%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.57 $11.57
$8.13 CVE 784
42.31%
Cappuccino
$5.22 $5.22
$1.96 CVE 189
166.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$1.96 CVE 189
27.04%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$1.17 CVE 113
76.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.91 $5.91
$3.36 CVE 324
75.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.13 $7.13
$2.14 CVE 207
233.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$1.37 CVE 132
-20.44%
White Bread (500g)
$3.56 $3.56
$1.83 CVE 177
94.54%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.74 $4.74
$1.80 CVE 174
163.33%
Eggs
$4.34 $4.34
$2.31 CVE 222
87.88%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.68 $12.68
$13.10 CVE 1,263
-3.21%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.28 $12.28
$8.14 CVE 785
50.86%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.60 $16.60
$20.28 CVE 1,956
-18.15%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$2.68 CVE 258
92.54%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$2.33 CVE 225
-27.04%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
$2.82 CVE 272
57.80%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.80 $4.80
$3.49 CVE 337
37.54%
Potato (1kg)
$2.93 $2.93
$1.49 CVE 143
96.64%
Onion (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
$1.70 CVE 164
81.76%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.41 CVE 136
57.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 $2.25
$1.06 CVE 102
112.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.90 $9.90
$4.98 CVE 481
98.80%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.28 $15.28
$8.42 CVE 812
81.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$2.02 CVE 195
-5.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
$1.85 CVE 179
93.51%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.46 $2.46
$0.90 CVE 87.1
173.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.6 $64.6
$30.47 CVE 2,939
112.14%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.77 $3.77
$1.81 CVE 175
108.29%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.12 CVE 205
-19.34%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.08 $30.08
$10.64 CVE 1,026
182.71%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.52 CVE 147
-36.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K $29.9K
$29.4K CVE 2.8M
1.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$39.2K CVE 3.8M
-33.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
$136 CVE 13.1K
54.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.3 $56.3
$28.27 CVE 2,727
99.12%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.9 $72.9
$53.4 CVE 5,151
36.42%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.39 $45.39
$34.59 CVE 3,336
31.22%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.60 $21.60
$8.68 CVE 837
148.85%
Cinema Ticket
$14.04 $14.04
$5.86 CVE 565
139.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,377 $1,377
$162 CVE 15.6K
752.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$2,997 CVE 289.0K
646.24%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.7 $52.7
$59.6 CVE 5,750
-11.59%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.41 $42.41
$30.79 CVE 2,969
37.74%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.8 $91.8
$83.1 CVE 8,010
10.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$140 CVE 13.5K
-18.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,765 $1,765
$455 CVE 43.9K
287.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,462 $1,462
$250 CVE 24.1K
485.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,849 $2,849
$567 CVE 54.7K
402.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,369 $2,369
$482 CVE 46.5K
391.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,364 $3,364
$1,134 CVE 109.4K
196.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,665 $2,665
$798 CVE 77.0K
233.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,378 $4,378
$330 CVE 31.8K
1226.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
7.67
-15.12%

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

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Last update for Cape Verde: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $161 in Cape Verde. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,625 in Washington, MI and $474 in Praia.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $286 in Cape Verde. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 916% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 161% more in United States.

Public transport is 108% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1473% 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 435% 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 435% 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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