Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Chad Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Chad

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,622 per month in United States vs $552 in Chad, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,830 per month in United States vs $741 in Chad, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,038 per month in United States vs $929 in Chad, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 375% higher than in Chad on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 91% above the global median, while Chad is 60% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Chad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.78 $19.78
$8.66 FCFA 4,889
128.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.4 $81.4
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.11 $12.11
-
-
Cappuccino
$5.44 $5.44
$0.85 FCFA 480
540.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67 $2.67
$0.87 FCFA 489
206.90%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08 $2.08
$0.87 FCFA 492
139.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.06 $6.06
$1.31 FCFA 741
362.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.14 $8.14
$1.81 FCFA 1,024
349.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Chad
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 $1.05
$3.77 FCFA 2,130
-72.15%
White Bread (500g)
$3.65 $3.65
$0.33 FCFA 189
1006.06%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
$3.47 FCFA 1,956
28.24%
Eggs
$4.35 $4.35
$2.19 FCFA 1,238
98.63%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.73 $12.73
$3.57 FCFA 2,013
256.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.46 $12.46
$6.91 FCFA 3,901
80.32%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.95 $16.95
$3.63 FCFA 2,047
366.94%
Apples (1kg)
$5.30 $5.30
$4.74 FCFA 2,675
11.81%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$2.26 FCFA 1,278
-24.78%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.40 $4.40
$2.74 FCFA 1,546
60.58%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.01 $5.01
$2.47 FCFA 1,395
102.83%
Potato (1kg)
$2.87 $2.87
$1.62 FCFA 912
77.16%
Onion (1kg)
$3.13 $3.13
$1.67 FCFA 945
87.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.32 $2.32
$0.55 FCFA 311
321.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$2.16 FCFA 1,218
8.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.55 $10.55
$1.04 FCFA 584
914.42%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.94 $14.94
$8.19 FCFA 4,624
82.42%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.12 $2.12
$1.17 FCFA 663
81.20%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69 $3.69
$1.80 FCFA 1,013
105.00%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Chad
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.37 $2.37
$0.43 FCFA 242
451.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.1 $65.1
$87.1 FCFA 49.1K
-25.27%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.42 $3.42
$0.45 FCFA 255
660.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.89 $1.89
$0.43 FCFA 241
339.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.16 $30.16
$5.38 FCFA 3,037
460.59%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.98 $0.98
$1.29 FCFA 731
-24.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9K $35.9K
$12.0K FCFA 6.8M
198.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$11.3K FCFA 6.4M
129.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Chad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$218 $218
$44.47 FCFA 25.1K
389.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.0 $61.0
$26.23 FCFA 14.8K
132.60%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.8 $74.8
$439 FCFA 247.9K
-82.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Chad
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.42 $44.42
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.53 $22.53
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.80 $14.80
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Chad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,476 $1,476
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.9K $25.9K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Chad
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4 $54.4
$26.26 FCFA 14.8K
106.97%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.59 $43.59
$35.18 FCFA 19.9K
23.91%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$92.9 $92.9
$44.92 FCFA 25.4K
106.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$88.1 FCFA 49.7K
29.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Chad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,639 $1,639
$1,771 FCFA 999.6K
-7.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,358 $1,358
$89.5 FCFA 50.5K
1416.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,699 $2,699
$270 FCFA 152.3K
900.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,199 $2,199
$180 FCFA 101.8K
1118.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,269 $3,269
$188 FCFA 105.9K
1641.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,589 $2,589
$188 FCFA 105.8K
1280.47%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Chad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,357 $4,357
$354 FCFA 199.7K
1131.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.21
3.5
77.43%

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

Last update for United States: August 30, 2026

Last update for Chad: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,606 in United States vs $871 in Chad. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,373 in Columbia, TN and $1,742 in N'Djamena.

Average salary: $4,519 in United States vs $357 in Chad. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 84% higher in United States.

Public transport is 63% more expensive in Chad.

Salaries are 1166% 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 Chad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chad more expensive than United States?
Chad is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 458% 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 Chad, contributing to the overall 458% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Chad or in United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Chad, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Chad or to United States?
Chad 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.

United States vs other spots: cost of living compared

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