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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,626 per month in United States vs $631 in Liberia, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,830 per month in United States vs $956 in Liberia, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,033 per month in United States vs $1,280 in Liberia, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 316% higher than in Liberia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 90% above the global median, while Liberia is 54% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Liberia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.83 $19.83
$7.40 LRD 1,285
167.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8 $78.8
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.19 $12.19
$10.16 LRD 1,763
19.98%
Cappuccino
$5.59 $5.59
$3.03 LRD 526
84.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 $2.78
$2.06 LRD 357
34.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.99 LRD 345
9.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.86 $5.86
$2.01 LRD 350
191.54%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.02 $8.02
$3.07 LRD 533
161.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Liberia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.07 $1.07
$2.09 LRD 363
-48.80%
White Bread (500g)
$3.68 $3.68
$1.82 LRD 316
102.20%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.66 $4.66
$5.29 LRD 918
-11.91%
Eggs
$4.20 $4.20
$3.71 LRD 643
13.21%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.78 $12.78
$7.52 LRD 1,306
69.95%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.40 $12.40
$11.75 LRD 2,040
5.53%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.90 $16.90
$13.60 LRD 2,361
24.26%
Apples (1kg)
$5.23 $5.23
$1.68 LRD 291
211.31%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 $1.66
$8.42 LRD 1,462
-80.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$10.39 LRD 1,804
-58.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$10.88 LRD 1,888
-54.41%
Potato (1kg)
$2.82 $2.82
$2.14 LRD 372
31.78%
Onion (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$10.71 LRD 1,859
-70.96%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.19 $2.19
$4.78 LRD 829
-54.18%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 $2.26
$1.98 LRD 343
14.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.35 $10.35
$4.91 LRD 853
110.79%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.81 $14.81
$6.93 LRD 1,203
113.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09 $2.09
$2.55 LRD 443
-18.04%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 $3.65
$3.57 LRD 620
2.24%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Liberia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.38 $2.38
$3.03 LRD 527
-21.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.5 $64.5
$12.83 LRD 2,228
402.65%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.54 $3.54
$1.97 LRD 342
79.70%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 $1.86
$1.90 LRD 330
-2.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.34 $30.34
$25.34 LRD 4,399
19.73%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.00 $1.00
$1.27 LRD 221
-21.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K $35.5K
$20.2K LRD 3.5M
75.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$15.1K LRD 2.6M
71.80%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Liberia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$222 $222
$151 LRD 26.2K
47.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.1 $61.1
$22.72 LRD 3,944
169.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.7 $74.7
$184 LRD 31.9K
-59.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Liberia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.49 $44.49
$63.0 LRD 10.9K
-29.41%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.35 $22.35
$9.81 LRD 1,703
127.83%
Cinema Ticket
$15.03 $15.03
$4.96 LRD 861
203.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Liberia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,431 $1,431
$99.8 LRD 17.3K
1334.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.9K $25.9K
$990 LRD 171.9K
2513.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Liberia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.6 $53.6
$24.86 LRD 4,316
115.53%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.46 $43.46
$32.60 LRD 5,660
33.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 $91.5
$55.5 LRD 9,626
64.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$92.4 LRD 16.0K
22.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Liberia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,633 $1,633
$251 LRD 43.5K
551.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,328 $1,328
$94.5 LRD 16.4K
1305.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,606 $2,606
$663 LRD 115.0K
293.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,206 $2,206
$269 LRD 46.7K
719.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,323 $3,323
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,653 $2,653
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Liberia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,306 $4,306
$694 LRD 120.5K
520.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.21
0
-

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

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Last update for Liberia: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,604 in United States vs $127 in Liberia. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,360 in Columbia, TN and $254 in Monrovia.

Average salary: $4,526 in United States vs $689 in Liberia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 1163% higher in United States.

Public transport is 170% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 557% 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 Liberia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is cheaper: Liberia or United States?
Liberia is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 398% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Is rent more expensive in Liberia or in 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.
How do daily expenses compare in Liberia vs United States?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Liberia, contributing to the overall 398% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Can you live in both Liberia and United States on $1,000 per month?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Liberia, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Which country is better for expats: Liberia or United States?
Liberia 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

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