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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,644 per month in United States vs $239 in Eswatini, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $383 in Eswatini, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,070 per month in United States vs $527 in Eswatini, rent included.

United States costs about 1006% more than Eswatini on average โ€” the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 96% above the global median, while Eswatini is 82% below โ€“ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

United States has a wider regional cost range ($1,313โ€“$5,207) than Eswatini ($0โ€“$725), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
United States
Eswatini
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.36 $20.36
$1.73 SZLย 28.29
1076.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.3 $74.3
$28.47 SZLย 466
161.12%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.42 $11.42
$2.31 SZLย 37.83
394.37%
Cappuccino
$5.21 $5.21
$1.67 SZLย 27.30
211.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62 $2.62
$0.80 SZLย 13.12
227.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$0.49 SZLย 7.97
338.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$1.52 SZLย 24.82
284.21%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.18 $7.18
$1.65 SZLย 27.07
335.15%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
United States
Eswatini
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.05 SZLย 17.22
2.86%
White Bread (500g)
$3.59 $3.59
$0.75 SZLย 12.20
378.67%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.71 $4.71
$1.23 SZLย 20.13
282.93%
Eggs
$4.38 $4.38
$1.49 SZLย 24.36
193.96%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.67 $12.67
$8.79 SZLย 144
44.14%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.40 $12.40
$4.01 SZLย 65.6
209.23%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.39 $16.39
$4.63 SZLย 75.7
254.00%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$1.33 SZLย 21.75
287.97%
Banana (1kg)
$1.72 $1.72
$0.79 SZLย 13.01
117.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.47 $4.47
$1.09 SZLย 17.85
310.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.01 $5.01
$1.41 SZLย 23.11
255.32%
Potato (1kg)
$2.91 $2.91
$0.96 SZLย 15.77
203.13%
Onion (1kg)
$3.06 $3.06
$0.99 SZLย 16.25
209.09%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.16 $2.16
$0.53 SZLย 8.64
307.55%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.21 $2.21
$0.74 SZLย 12.14
198.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.93 $9.93
$2.66 SZLย 43.47
273.31%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.94 $14.94
$4.91 SZLย 80.3
204.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$1.03 SZLย 16.86
85.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.70 $3.70
$1.43 SZLย 23.41
158.74%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
United States
Eswatini
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.55 $2.55
$0.92 SZLย 15.07
177.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.0 $65.0
$29.94 SZLย 490
117.23%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.69 $3.69
$3.42 SZLย 56.0
7.89%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 $1.78
$2.69 SZLย 44.09
-33.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.24 $30.24
$3.37 SZLย 55.2
797.33%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.21 SZLย 19.87
-21.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7K $29.7K
$17.1K SZLย 279.8K
73.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$18.7K SZLย 305.9K
40.53%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Eswatini
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
$75.0 SZLย 1,227
179.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.3 $58.3
$26.78 SZLย 438
117.70%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.1 $72.1
$28.48 SZLย 466
153.13%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
United States
Eswatini
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.90 $45.90
$27.48 SZLย 450
67.03%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.20 $22.20
$4.93 SZLย 80.6
350.30%
Cinema Ticket
$14.25 $14.25
$3.33 SZLย 54.5
327.93%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
United States
Eswatini
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,367 $1,367
$107 SZLย 1,755
1174.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.8K $22.8K
$4,682 SZLย 76.6K
386.57%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
United States
Eswatini
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0 $53.0
$42.09 SZLย 689
25.92%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.96 $42.96
$26.58 SZLย 435
61.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.4 $89.4
$63.7 SZLย 1,042
40.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 $113
$73.2 SZLย 1,198
54.79%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
United States
Eswatini
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,766 $1,766
$241 SZLย 3,948
631.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,460 $1,460
$140 SZLย 2,296
939.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,865 $2,865
$434 SZLย 7,101
560.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,360 $2,360
$329 SZLย 5,378
617.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,427 $3,427
$342 SZLย 5,589
903.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,624 $2,624
$254 SZLย 4,150
934.40%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
United States
Eswatini
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,306 $4,306
$502 SZLย 8,220
756.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
9.12
-28.62%

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

Last update for United States: April 12, 2026

Last update for Eswatini: April 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,636 in United States vs $82 in Eswatini. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,562 in Washington, DC and $260 in Mbabane.

Average salary: $4,492 in United States vs $614 in Eswatini. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 1895% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 630% more in United States.

Public transport is 317% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 632% higher in United States, giving Eswatini 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 Eswatini: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do Eswatini and United States compare in cost of living?
Eswatini is the cheaper option โ€“ living costs run roughly 799% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
How do rents compare between Eswatini and 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.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: Eswatini or United States?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Eswatini, contributing to the overall 799% price gap. The savings show up everywhere โ€“ from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
How far does $1,200 go in Eswatini vs United States?
$1,200 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Eswatini, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
How do I choose between living in Eswatini and United States?
Eswatini 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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