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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,642 in United States versus $214 in Gambia.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,857 in United States versus $356 in Gambia.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,072 in United States versus $497 in Gambia.

Living in United States is roughly 1135% more expensive than in Gambia on average.

United States (98% above) and Gambia (84% below) straddle the global median.

Internal cost variation is higher in United States: monthly costs span $1,335 to $5,182, compared to $57.0$611 in Gambia. City choice carries more weight in United States.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Gambia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.63 $19.63
$4.37 GMD 324
349.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.4 $75.4
$58.7 GMD 4,350
28.61%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.57 $11.57
$6.48 GMD 481
78.55%
Cappuccino
$5.22 $5.22
$2.54 GMD 188
105.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$1.74 GMD 129
43.10%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$1.24 GMD 91.9
66.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.91 $5.91
$3.59 GMD 266
64.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.13 $7.13
$3.65 GMD 270
95.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Gambia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$1.51 GMD 112
-27.81%
White Bread (500g)
$3.56 $3.56
$0.70 GMD 51.7
408.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.74 $4.74
$1.24 GMD 91.6
282.26%
Eggs
$4.34 $4.34
$2.20 GMD 163
97.27%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.68 $12.68
$5.82 GMD 432
117.87%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.28 $12.28
$7.85 GMD 582
56.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.60 $16.60
$5.25 GMD 389
216.19%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$3.10 GMD 230
66.45%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$2.37 GMD 176
-28.27%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
$2.08 GMD 154
113.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.80 $4.80
$1.85 GMD 137
159.46%
Potato (1kg)
$2.93 $2.93
$1.03 GMD 76.2
184.47%
Onion (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
$1.00 GMD 74.3
209.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
$0.24 GMD 17.68
825.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 $2.25
$0.40 GMD 29.55
462.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.90 $9.90
$1.95 GMD 144
407.69%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.28 $15.28
$6.94 GMD 515
120.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$2.21 GMD 164
-13.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
$1.72 GMD 127
108.14%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Gambia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.46 $2.46
$0.22 GMD 16.35
1018.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.6 $64.6
$6.45 GMD 478
902.17%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.77 $3.77
$0.51 GMD 37.99
639.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 $1.71
$0.72 GMD 53.1
137.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.08 $30.08
$4.33 GMD 321
594.69%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.09 GMD 80.7
-11.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K $29.9K
$2,639 GMD 195.7K
1031.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$4,013 GMD 297.5K
551.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Gambia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
$33.58 GMD 2,490
525.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.3 $56.3
$14.59 GMD 1,082
285.81%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.9 $72.9
$47.96 GMD 3,556
51.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Gambia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.39 $45.39
$24.78 GMD 1,837
83.17%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.60 $21.60
$14.23 GMD 1,055
51.79%
Cinema Ticket
$14.04 $14.04
$3.57 GMD 265
293.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Gambia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,377 $1,377
$6.89 GMD 511
19890.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$143 GMD 10.6K
15485.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Gambia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.7 $52.7
$55.5 GMD 4,115
-5.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.41 $42.41
$42.56 GMD 3,155
-0.35%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.8 $91.8
$102 GMD 7,551
-9.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$88.4 GMD 6,552
28.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Gambia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,765 $1,765
$101 GMD 7,511
1642.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,462 $1,462
$82.7 GMD 6,129
1669.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,849 $2,849
$253 GMD 18.8K
1024.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,369 $2,369
$107 GMD 7,942
2112.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,364 $3,364
$1,464 GMD 108.6K
129.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,665 $2,665
$1,165 GMD 86.4K
128.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Gambia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,378 $4,378
$62.6 GMD 4,642
6894.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
10.12
-35.67%

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

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Last update for Gambia: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $1,635 in United States, $15.00 in Gambia. Capital cities: $1,625 in Washington, MI vs $103 in Banjul.

National salary averages: $4,500 in United States, $61.0 in Gambia. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 10800% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 356% more in United States.

Public transport is 2400% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 7277% 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 Gambia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Gambia and United States?
At $334 per month in Gambia and $3,259 in United States, there's a 876% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Day-to-day life is simply cheaper in Gambia: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent in United States is consistently higher than in Gambia across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Gambia or in United States?
In Gambia, $1,000 covers most cities easily; in United States it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to Gambia or to United States?
It depends on what you're after: Gambia wins on affordability; United States may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.

United States vs other spots: cost of living compared

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