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 $2,643 per month in United States vs $530 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 $5,070 per month in United States vs $1,228 in Cape Verde, rent included.

United States costs about 399% more than Cape Verde on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 97% above the global median, while Cape Verde is 60% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.04 $20.04
$5.21 CVE 493
284.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.0 $76.0
$51.0 CVE 4,827
49.12%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.42 $11.42
$8.54 CVE 809
33.72%
Cappuccino
$5.39 $5.39
$1.97 CVE 186
173.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 $2.55
$1.96 CVE 185
30.10%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
$1.18 CVE 112
72.88%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.14 $6.14
$3.24 CVE 307
89.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.18 $7.18
$2.23 CVE 211
221.97%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.43 CVE 135
-27.27%
White Bread (500g)
$3.65 $3.65
$1.74 CVE 165
109.77%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.73 $4.73
$1.80 CVE 171
162.78%
Eggs
$4.38 $4.38
$2.36 CVE 223
85.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.76 $12.76
$12.78 CVE 1,210
-0.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.42 $12.42
$8.54 CVE 808
45.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.41 $16.41
$19.94 CVE 1,888
-17.70%
Apples (1kg)
$5.42 $5.42
$2.73 CVE 258
98.53%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 $1.65
$2.32 CVE 220
-28.88%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$2.69 CVE 255
70.63%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.91 $4.91
$3.56 CVE 337
37.92%
Potato (1kg)
$2.92 $2.92
$1.42 CVE 135
105.63%
Onion (1kg)
$3.13 $3.13
$1.75 CVE 166
78.86%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.26 $2.26
$1.40 CVE 132
61.43%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.30 $2.30
$1.07 CVE 101
114.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.89 $9.89
$4.99 CVE 473
98.20%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.10 $15.10
$8.60 CVE 814
75.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$2.01 CVE 191
-4.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 $3.66
$1.94 CVE 184
88.66%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.48 $2.48
$0.91 CVE 86.5
172.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.8 $64.8
$29.92 CVE 2,833
116.68%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.84 $3.84
$1.81 CVE 172
112.15%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 $1.76
$2.13 CVE 201
-17.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.58 $30.58
$10.57 CVE 1,001
189.31%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.50 CVE 142
-36.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K $30.5K
$29.3K CVE 2.8M
4.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K $26.4K
$40.0K CVE 3.8M
-34.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$204 $204
$137 CVE 12.9K
49.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.3 $57.3
$28.36 CVE 2,685
101.94%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.2 $71.2
$54.3 CVE 5,137
31.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$46.67 $46.67
$34.34 CVE 3,252
35.91%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.12 $22.12
$8.62 CVE 816
156.61%
Cinema Ticket
$13.84 $13.84
$5.89 CVE 557
134.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,384 $1,384
$167 CVE 15.8K
730.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.7K $22.7K
$2,998 CVE 283.9K
657.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0 $53.0
$58.2 CVE 5,513
-8.98%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.17 $43.17
$31.44 CVE 2,977
37.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.6 $90.6
$84.5 CVE 8,004
7.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$137 CVE 13.0K
-16.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,766 $1,766
$448 CVE 42.4K
294.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,459 $1,459
$245 CVE 23.2K
495.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,832 $2,832
$554 CVE 52.5K
410.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,411 $2,411
$494 CVE 46.7K
388.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,287 $3,287
$1,004 CVE 95.1K
227.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,650 $2,650
$684 CVE 64.8K
287.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Cape Verde
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,379 $4,379
$281 CVE 26.6K
1459.68%
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: May 30, 2026

Last update for Cape Verde: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,637 in United States vs $161 in Cape Verde. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,591 in Washington, DC and $470 in Praia.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $237 in Cape Verde. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 917% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 161% more in United States.

Public transport is 108% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1799% 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 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 427% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Is rent more expensive in Cape Verde or 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 427% 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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