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 $2,642 per month in United States vs $714 in Liberia, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $1,231 in Liberia, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,072 per month in United States vs $1,748 in Liberia, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 270% higher than in Liberia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 98% above the global median, while Liberia is 47% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Liberia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.63 $19.63
$7.65 LRD 1,380
156.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.4 $75.4
$153 LRD 27.5K
-50.57%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.57 $11.57
$11.01 LRD 1,987
5.09%
Cappuccino
$5.22 $5.22
$3.37 LRD 608
54.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$1.96 LRD 354
27.04%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$2.60 LRD 470
-20.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.91 $5.91
$2.73 LRD 492
116.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.13 $7.13
$2.98 LRD 537
139.26%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Liberia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$2.11 LRD 380
-48.34%
White Bread (500g)
$3.56 $3.56
$1.83 LRD 330
94.54%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.74 $4.74
$5.05 LRD 911
-6.14%
Eggs
$4.34 $4.34
$3.67 LRD 662
18.26%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.68 $12.68
$11.90 LRD 2,147
6.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.28 $12.28
$11.94 LRD 2,154
2.85%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.60 $16.60
$35.92 LRD 6,481
-53.79%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$1.67 LRD 302
208.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$8.70 LRD 1,569
-80.46%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
$10.34 LRD 1,865
-56.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.80 $4.80
$11.04 LRD 1,992
-56.52%
Potato (1kg)
$2.93 $2.93
$2.22 LRD 401
31.98%
Onion (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
$10.83 LRD 1,954
-71.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
$4.74 LRD 855
-53.16%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 $2.25
$1.95 LRD 353
15.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.90 $9.90
$5.02 LRD 906
97.21%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.28 $15.28
$7.17 LRD 1,293
113.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$2.49 LRD 449
-23.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
$3.23 LRD 583
10.84%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Liberia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.46 $2.46
$2.92 LRD 527
-15.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.6 $64.6
$12.63 LRD 2,278
411.80%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.77 $3.77
$2.79 LRD 504
35.13%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.26 LRD 228
35.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.08 $30.08
$17.78 LRD 3,207
69.18%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.20 LRD 217
-20.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K $29.9K
$12.3K LRD 2.2M
141.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$15.2K LRD 2.7M
71.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Liberia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
$269 LRD 48.5K
-21.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.3 $56.3
$22.72 LRD 4,098
147.76%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.9 $72.9
$93.5 LRD 16.9K
-22.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Liberia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.39 $45.39
$76.9 LRD 13.9K
-40.96%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.60 $21.60
$8.17 LRD 1,474
164.38%
Cinema Ticket
$14.04 $14.04
$9.76 LRD 1,761
43.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Liberia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,377 $1,377
$129 LRD 23.3K
966.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$893 LRD 161.1K
2404.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Liberia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.7 $52.7
$18.44 LRD 3,327
185.85%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.41 $42.41
$34.09 LRD 6,151
24.41%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.8 $91.8
$56.2 LRD 10.1K
63.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$70.0 LRD 12.6K
62.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Liberia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,765 $1,765
$665 LRD 119.9K
165.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,462 $1,462
$93.6 LRD 16.9K
1462.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,849 $2,849
$1,832 LRD 330.5K
55.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,369 $2,369
$269 LRD 48.6K
779.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,364 $3,364
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,665 $2,665
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Liberia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,378 $4,378
$690 LRD 124.5K
534.51%
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: July 12, 2026

Last update for Liberia: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $340 in Liberia. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,625 in Washington, MI and $679 in Monrovia.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $688 in Liberia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 381% higher in United States.

Public transport is 150% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 554% 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 356% 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 356% 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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