😐A single person spends $2,626 per month in United States vs $866 in French Guiana, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,830 per month in United States vs $1,427 in French Guiana, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $5,034 per month in United States vs $1,987 in French Guiana, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in United States is about 203% higher than in French Guiana on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊United States sits 92% above the global median, while French Guiana is 37% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
French Guiana
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.38$20.38
$13.17€11.41
54.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.0$79.0
$116€100
-31.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.78$11.78
$11.06€9.58
6.51%
Cappuccino
$5.42$5.42
$3.95€3.42
37.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75$2.75
$3.59€3.11
-23.40%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17$2.17
$3.06€2.65
-29.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.86$5.86
$3.82€3.31
53.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.03$8.03
$4.71€4.08
70.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
French Guiana
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.04$1.04
$3.17€2.75
-67.19%
White Bread(500g)
$3.56$3.56
$4.16€3.60
-14.42%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.70$4.70
$3.00€2.60
56.67%
Eggs
$4.26$4.26
$7.89€6.84
-46.01%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.21$13.21
$28.86€25.01
-54.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.42$12.42
$16.64€14.42
-25.36%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.49$17.49
$33.65€29.16
-48.02%
Apples(1kg)
$5.21$5.21
$5.19€4.50
0.39%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65$1.65
$4.59€3.98
-64.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.47$4.47
$5.92€5.13
-24.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.86$4.86
$9.90€8.58
-50.91%
Potato(1kg)
$2.86$2.86
$4.87€4.22
-41.27%
Onion(1kg)
$3.11$3.11
$6.79€5.89
-54.20%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.22$2.22
$3.56€3.09
-37.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.34$2.34
$1.96€1.70
19.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.41$10.41
$9.33€8.09
11.58%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.23$15.23
$8.12€7.04
87.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.13$2.13
$2.70€2.34
-21.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74$3.74
$2.28€1.98
64.04%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
French Guiana
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.44$2.44
$2.36€2.04
3.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$65.2$65.2
$34.43€29.83
89.25%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.44$3.44
$5.68€4.93
-39.44%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90$1.90
$4.12€3.57
-53.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.70$29.70
$8.13€7.04
265.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03$1.03
$2.28€1.98
-54.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.8K$35.8K
$46.1K€39.9K
-22.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K$25.9K
$45.5K€39.5K
-43.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
French Guiana
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$222$222
$225€195
-1.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$62.6$62.6
$46.83€40.58
33.76%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.6$74.6
$70.7€61.2
5.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
French Guiana
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.12$45.12
$43.45€37.65
3.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.13$23.13
$28.64€24.82
-19.24%
Cinema Ticket
$15.27$15.27
$10.58€9.17
44.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
French Guiana
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,474$1,474
$688€597
114.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$25.0K$25.0K
$10.6K€9,143
136.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
French Guiana
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.1$54.1
$106€91.8
-48.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.55$42.55
$69.9€60.6
-39.12%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.4$91.4
$131€113
-29.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114$114
$103€89.2
11.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
French Guiana
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,636$1,636
$1,132€981
44.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,367$1,367
$886€768
54.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,701$2,701
$1,554€1,347
73.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,239$2,239
$1,850€1,603
20.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,267$3,267
$3,159€2,738
3.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,651$2,651
$3,600€3,119
-26.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
French Guiana
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,317$4,317
$2,330€2,019
85.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.22
4.5
38.22%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for United States: September 13, 2026
Last update for French Guiana: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,610 in United States vs $779 in French Guiana. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,358 in Columbia, TN and $879 in Cayenne.
💰Average salary: $4,521 in United States vs $2,287 in French Guiana. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 107% higher in United States.
⭐Dining out costs 92% more in United States.
⭐Public transport is 125% more expensive in United States.
⭐Salaries are 98% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in French Guiana.
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 French Guiana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is French Guiana more expensive than United States?
French Guiana is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 155% 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 French Guiana, contributing to the overall 155% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in French Guiana or in United States?
$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in French Guiana, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to French Guiana or to United States?
French Guiana 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