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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,626 in United States versus $498 in Mauritania.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,830 in United States versus $849 in Mauritania.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,033 in United States versus $1,199 in Mauritania.

Living in United States is roughly 427% more expensive than in Mauritania on average.

United States (90% above) and Mauritania (64% below) straddle the global median.

Internal cost variation is higher in United States: monthly costs span $986 to $5,298, compared to $270$726 in Mauritania. City choice carries more weight in United States.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Mauritania
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.83 $19.83
$2.53 MRU 101
683.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8 $78.8
$22.59 MRU 904
248.87%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.19 $12.19
$5.86 MRU 235
108.02%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.72 MRU 69.0
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.73 MRU 69.3
-
Cappuccino
$5.59 $5.59
$2.27 MRU 90.7
146.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 $2.78
$1.80 MRU 71.9
54.44%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.09 MRU 83.9
4.31%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.86 $5.86
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.02 $8.02
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Mauritania
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.07 $1.07
$1.51 MRU 60.5
-29.14%
White Bread (500g)
$3.68 $3.68
$0.28 MRU 11.34
1214.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.66 $4.66
$1.31 MRU 52.5
255.73%
Eggs
$4.20 $4.20
$2.25 MRU 90.2
86.67%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.78 $12.78
$6.01 MRU 241
112.65%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.40 $12.40
$4.89 MRU 196
153.58%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.90 $16.90
$6.39 MRU 256
164.48%
Apples (1kg)
$5.23 $5.23
$2.17 MRU 86.7
141.01%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.76 MRU 70.6
-5.68%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$1.36 MRU 54.4
218.38%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$0.87 MRU 34.98
470.11%
Potato (1kg)
$2.82 $2.82
$0.82 MRU 32.90
243.90%
Onion (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$0.80 MRU 31.84
288.75%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.19 $2.19
$0.74 MRU 29.79
195.95%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 $2.26
$0.62 MRU 24.71
264.52%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$9.89 MRU 396
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.54 MRU 102
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.75 MRU 70.0
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.35 $10.35
$2.54 MRU 102
307.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.81 $14.81
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09 $2.09
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 $3.65
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Mauritania
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.38 $2.38
$0.47 MRU 18.88
406.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.5 $64.5
$21.51 MRU 861
199.81%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.54 $3.54
$0.90 MRU 35.90
293.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 $1.86
$0.39 MRU 15.52
376.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.34 $30.34
$4.65 MRU 186
552.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.00 $1.00
$1.34 MRU 53.8
-25.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K $35.5K
$7,541 MRU 301.9K
371.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$8,995 MRU 360.1K
187.56%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Mauritania
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$222 $222
$129 MRU 5,147
72.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.1 $61.1
$22.20 MRU 889
175.36%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.7 $74.7
$60.5 MRU 2,423
23.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Mauritania
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.49 $44.49
$31.08 MRU 1,244
43.15%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.35 $22.35
$248 MRU 9,943
-91.00%
Cinema Ticket
$15.03 $15.03
$4.15 MRU 166
262.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Mauritania
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,431 $1,431
$444 MRU 17.8K
222.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.9K $25.9K
$7,560 MRU 302.6K
242.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Mauritania
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.6 $53.6
$22.61 MRU 905
136.97%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.46 $43.46
$22.63 MRU 906
92.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 $91.5
$67.1 MRU 2,686
36.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$41.18 MRU 1,649
175.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Mauritania
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,633 $1,633
$196 MRU 7,856
732.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,328 $1,328
$139 MRU 5,576
853.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,606 $2,606
$720 MRU 28.8K
262.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,206 $2,206
$270 MRU 10.8K
717.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,323 $3,323
$6,540 MRU 261.8K
-49.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,653 $2,653
$3,027 MRU 121.2K
-12.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Mauritania
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,306 $4,306
$569 MRU 22.8K
656.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.21
20
-68.95%

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

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Last update for Mauritania: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $1,604 in United States, $141 in Mauritania. Capital cities: $1,360 in Columbia, TN vs $217 in Nouakchott.

National salary averages: $4,526 in United States, $577 in Mauritania. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 1038% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 257% more in United States.

Public transport is 145% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 684% 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 Mauritania: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Mauritania and United States?
At $498 per month in Mauritania and $3,142 in United States, there's a 531% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Day-to-day life is simply cheaper in Mauritania: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent in United States is consistently higher than in Mauritania across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Mauritania or in United States?
In Mauritania, $1,000 covers most cities easily; in 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.
Should I move to Mauritania or to United States?
It depends on what you're after: Mauritania wins on affordability; 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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