Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between the United States and Guinea-Bissau

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.

United States
Guinea-Bissau
🇺🇸 United States
$2,734
/mo nomad
🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau
$822
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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.

Living in the United States is roughly 233% more expensive than in Guinea-Bissau on average.

The United States (101% above) and Guinea-Bissau (40% below) straddle the global median.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.03 $20.03
$5.14 F CFA 3,028
289.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.0 $80.0
$25.96 F CFA 15.3K
208.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.80 $11.80
$9.33 F CFA 5,491
26.47%
Cappuccino
$5.55 $5.55
$1.69 F CFA 993
228.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66 $2.66
$1.04 F CFA 612
155.77%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$0.89 F CFA 523
143.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.12 $6.12
$0.66 F CFA 386
827.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.94 $7.94
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.74 F CFA 1,024
-40.23%
White Bread (500g)
$3.59 $3.59
$0.92 F CFA 544
290.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.52 $4.52
$1.99 F CFA 1,171
127.14%
Eggs
$4.28 $4.28
$5.23 F CFA 3,081
-18.16%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.22 $13.22
$14.79 F CFA 8,712
-10.62%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.60 $12.60
$13.42 F CFA 7,905
-6.11%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.60 $17.60
$13.51 F CFA 7,957
30.27%
Apples (1kg)
$5.30 $5.30
$4.38 F CFA 2,577
21.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 $1.69
$1.00 F CFA 588
69.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.44 $4.44
$4.28 F CFA 2,521
3.74%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.77 $4.77
$0.19 F CFA 110
2410.53%
Potato (1kg)
$2.97 $2.97
$1.34 F CFA 786
121.64%
Onion (1kg)
$3.15 $3.15
$1.35 F CFA 794
133.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.20 $2.20
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.25 F CFA 736
88.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.98 $10.98
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$15.05 $15.05
$6.91 F CFA 4,071
117.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$1.26 F CFA 742
63.49%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79 $3.79
$0.83 F CFA 491
356.63%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.94 $1.94
$0.50 F CFA 293
288.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$59.4 $59.4
$25.81 F CFA 15.2K
130.10%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.58 $3.58
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.88 $1.88
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.84 $29.84
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.02 $1.02
$1.47 F CFA 867
-30.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.8K $28.8K
$31.9K F CFA 18.8M
-9.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$29.3K F 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
$104 F CFA 61.5K
108.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$62.5 $62.5
$35.44 F CFA 20.9K
76.27%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.5 $74.5
$45.34 F CFA 26.7K
64.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.86 $41.86
$41.81 F CFA 24.6K
0.12%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.81 $22.81
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.70 $14.70
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,489 $1,489
$772 F CFA 454.6K
92.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.3K $25.3K
$2,264 F CFA 1.3M
1015.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.3 $54.3
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.71 $42.71
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.1 $94.1
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,659 $1,659
$508 F CFA 299.4K
226.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,348 $1,348
$170 F CFA 100.2K
692.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,682 $2,682
$866 F CFA 510.2K
209.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,169 $2,169
$418 F CFA 246.4K
418.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,283 $3,283
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,482 $2,482
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Guinea-Bissau
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,296 $4,296
$1,029 F CFA 606.2K
317.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.55
0
-

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.
Accommodation & Living
United States
$1.3K
Guinea-Bissau
–
Groceries & Markets
United States
$415
Guinea-Bissau
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
$355
Guinea-Bissau
–
Eating Out
United States
$328
Guinea-Bissau
–
Clothing & Footwear
United States
$137
Guinea-Bissau
–
Getting Around
United States
$80
Guinea-Bissau
–
Sport & Entertainment
United States
$71
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.

Good to know
🇺🇸 United States
🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau
🕒 Local time
08:12 8:12 AM
12:12 12:12 PM
4 h ahead of the United States
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
340,110,988
1,861,283
Exchange rates and currency converter

XOF, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.899 EUR).

West African CFA Franc exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 589 XOF (1,000 XOF = 1.7 USD). 1 EUR = 655 XOF (1,000 XOF = 1.53 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • United States Guinea-Bissau 7,570 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

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