For one person, living is cheaper in Guinea-Bissau: $822 a month against $2,734 in the United States, rent and utilities included – about $22,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.
How much you'll spend in the United States and in Guinea-Bissau
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in the United States and in Guinea-Bissau actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,734 in the United States versus $822 in Guinea-Bissau.
United States $2,734
Guinea-Bissau $822
Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,985 in the United States versus $1,318 in Guinea-Bissau.
United States $3,985
Guinea-Bissau $1,318
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,235 in the United States versus $1,815 in Guinea-Bissau.
United States $5,235
Guinea-Bissau $1,815
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Internal cost variation is higher in the United States: monthly costs span $979 to $5,160, compared to $826–$826 in Guinea-Bissau. City choice carries more weight in the United States.
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Living in the United States is roughly 233% more expensive than in Guinea-Bissau on average.
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The United States (101% above) and Guinea-Bissau (40% below) straddle the global median.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.03$20.03
$5.14F CFA 3,028
289.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.0$80.0
$25.96F CFA 15.3K
208.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.80$11.80
$9.33F CFA 5,491
26.47%
Cappuccino
$5.55$5.55
$1.69F CFA 993
228.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66$2.66
$1.04F CFA 612
155.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17$2.17
$0.89F CFA 523
143.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.12$6.12
$0.66F CFA 386
827.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.94$7.94
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🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.04$1.04
$1.74F CFA 1,024
-40.23%
White Bread(500g)
$3.59$3.59
$0.92F CFA 544
290.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.52$4.52
$1.99F CFA 1,171
127.14%
Eggs
$4.28$4.28
$5.23F CFA 3,081
-18.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.22$13.22
$14.79F CFA 8,712
-10.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.60$12.60
$13.42F CFA 7,905
-6.11%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.60$17.60
$13.51F CFA 7,957
30.27%
Apples(1kg)
$5.30$5.30
$4.38F CFA 2,577
21.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.69$1.69
$1.00F CFA 588
69.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.44$4.44
$4.28F CFA 2,521
3.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.77$4.77
$0.19F CFA 110
2410.53%
Potato(1kg)
$2.97$2.97
$1.34F CFA 786
121.64%
Onion(1kg)
$3.15$3.15
$1.35F CFA 794
133.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.20$2.20
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Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.35$2.35
$1.25F CFA 736
88.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.98$10.98
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Wine(Bottle)
$15.05$15.05
$6.91F CFA 4,071
117.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06$2.06
$1.26F CFA 742
63.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79$3.79
$0.83F CFA 491
356.63%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.94$1.94
$0.50F CFA 293
288.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$59.4$59.4
$25.81F CFA 15.2K
130.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.58$3.58
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Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.88$1.88
-
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Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.84$29.84
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Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.02$1.02
$1.47F CFA 867
-30.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.8K$28.8K
$31.9KF CFA 18.8M
-9.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K$26.2K
$29.3KF CFA 17.3M
-10.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$218$218
$104F CFA 61.5K
108.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$62.5$62.5
$35.44F CFA 20.9K
76.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.5$74.5
$45.34F CFA 26.7K
64.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.86$41.86
$41.81F CFA 24.6K
0.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.81$22.81
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Cinema Ticket
$14.70$14.70
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🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,489$1,489
$772F CFA 454.6K
92.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$25.3K$25.3K
$2,264F CFA 1.3M
1015.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.3$54.3
-
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Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.71$42.71
-
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Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.1$94.1
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Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114$114
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🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,659$1,659
$508F CFA 299.4K
226.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,348$1,348
$170F CFA 100.2K
692.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,682$2,682
$866F CFA 510.2K
209.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,169$2,169
$418F CFA 246.4K
418.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,283$3,283
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Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,482$2,482
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💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,296$4,296
$1,029F CFA 606.2K
317.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.55
0
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CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for the United States: October 25, 2026
Last update for Guinea-Bissau: October 25, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
United States
$1.3K 49.3%
Guinea-Bissau
–
🛒Groceries & Markets
United States
$415 15.2%
Guinea-Bissau
–
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
$355 13%
Guinea-Bissau
–
🍽Eating Out
United States
$328 12%
Guinea-Bissau
–
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
United States
$137 5%
Guinea-Bissau
–
🚌Getting Around
United States
$80 2.9%
Guinea-Bissau
–
🎉Sport & Entertainment
United States
$71 2.6%
Guinea-Bissau
–
🏠Accommodation & Living
United States
$2.2K 41.4%
Guinea-Bissau
–
🛒Groceries & Markets
United States
$953 18.2%
Guinea-Bissau
–
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
$417 8%
Guinea-Bissau
–
🍽Eating Out
United States
$1.1K 20.3%
Guinea-Bissau
–
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
United States
$305 5.8%
Guinea-Bissau
–
🚌Getting Around
United States
$164 3.1%
Guinea-Bissau
–
🎉Sport & Entertainment
United States
$165 3.2%
Guinea-Bissau
–
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $1,620 in the United States, $501 in Guinea-Bissau. Capital cities: $2,768 in Washington, DC vs $501 in Bissau.
💰National salary averages: $4,549 in the United States, $1,046 in Guinea-Bissau. Higher pay doesn’t always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 223% higher in the United States.
⭐Dining out costs 200% more in the United States.
⭐Public transport is 142% more expensive in the United States.
⭐Salaries are about 4.3 times higher in the United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in the United States.
United States→Guinea-Bissau7,570 km≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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 Guinea-Bissau: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is more expensive to live in: Guinea-Bissau or the United States?
At $822 per month in Guinea-Bissau and $2,734 in the United States, there’s a 233% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: Guinea-Bissau or the United States?
Day-to-day life is cheaper in Guinea-Bissau: lower grocery prices, cheaper commutes, and more affordable meals out. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
How do rents compare between Guinea-Bissau and the United States?
Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $1,620 in the United States and $501 in Guinea-Bissau. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.
How far does $1,200 go in Guinea-Bissau compared to the United States?
In Guinea-Bissau, $1,200 covers most cities easily; in the 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.
How do I choose between living in Guinea-Bissau and in the United States?
It depends on what you’re after: Guinea-Bissau wins on affordability; the 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