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 $2,643 per month in United States vs $696 in Liberia, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $1,235 in Liberia, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,070 per month in United States vs $1,773 in Liberia, rent included.

United States costs about 280% more than Liberia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 97% above the global median, while Liberia is 48% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Liberia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.04 $20.04
$7.61 LRD 1,383
163.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.0 $76.0
$148 LRD 26.9K
-48.60%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.42 $11.42
$10.99 LRD 1,997
3.91%
Cappuccino
$5.39 $5.39
$3.25 LRD 591
65.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 $2.55
$2.05 LRD 373
24.39%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
$2.71 LRD 493
-24.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.14 $6.14
$2.80 LRD 509
119.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.18 $7.18
$2.97 LRD 539
141.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Liberia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$2.15 LRD 390
-51.63%
White Bread (500g)
$3.65 $3.65
$1.81 LRD 328
101.66%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.73 $4.73
$5.02 LRD 912
-5.78%
Eggs
$4.38 $4.38
$3.63 LRD 660
20.66%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.76 $12.76
$12.00 LRD 2,181
6.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.42 $12.42
$12.01 LRD 2,182
3.41%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.41 $16.41
$35.94 LRD 6,531
-54.34%
Apples (1kg)
$5.42 $5.42
$1.61 LRD 292
236.65%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 $1.65
$8.37 LRD 1,521
-80.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$10.40 LRD 1,889
-55.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.91 $4.91
$10.98 LRD 1,996
-55.28%
Potato (1kg)
$2.92 $2.92
$2.32 LRD 421
25.86%
Onion (1kg)
$3.13 $3.13
$10.57 LRD 1,920
-70.39%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.26 $2.26
$4.75 LRD 862
-52.42%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.30 $2.30
$2.04 LRD 371
12.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.89 $9.89
$5.02 LRD 913
97.01%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.10 $15.10
$6.80 LRD 1,236
122.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$2.55 LRD 463
-25.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 $3.66
$3.28 LRD 595
11.59%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Liberia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.48 $2.48
$2.94 LRD 533
-15.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.8 $64.8
$12.56 LRD 2,282
416.16%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.84 $3.84
$2.70 LRD 491
42.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 $1.76
$1.22 LRD 221
44.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.58 $30.58
$17.75 LRD 3,224
72.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.22 LRD 222
-21.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K $30.5K
$12.6K LRD 2.3M
141.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K $26.4K
$14.8K LRD 2.7M
77.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Liberia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$204 $204
$269 LRD 48.8K
-23.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.3 $57.3
$22.92 LRD 4,164
149.87%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.2 $71.2
$93.8 LRD 17.0K
-24.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Liberia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$46.67 $46.67
$75.7 LRD 13.7K
-38.32%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.12 $22.12
$8.19 LRD 1,489
170.09%
Cinema Ticket
$13.84 $13.84
$9.71 LRD 1,765
42.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Liberia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,384 $1,384
$131 LRD 23.9K
952.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.7K $22.7K
$879 LRD 159.6K
2484.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Liberia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0 $53.0
$18.33 LRD 3,331
189.09%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.17 $43.17
$33.61 LRD 6,108
28.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.6 $90.6
$55.5 LRD 10.1K
63.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$70.0 LRD 12.7K
63.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Liberia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,766 $1,766
$656 LRD 119.2K
169.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,459 $1,459
$93.9 LRD 17.1K
1453.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,832 $2,832
$1,845 LRD 335.3K
53.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,411 $2,411
$262 LRD 47.6K
821.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,287 $3,287
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,650 $2,650
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Liberia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,379 $4,379
$704 LRD 128.0K
521.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
5
30.20%

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

Last update for United States: May 30, 2026

Last update for Liberia: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,637 in United States vs $333 in Liberia. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,591 in Washington, DC and $666 in Monrovia.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $705 in Liberia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 392% higher in United States.

Public transport is 150% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 538% higher in United States, giving United States stronger purchasing power.

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 362% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Is rent more expensive in Liberia or 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 362% 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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