Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Saint Helena Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Saint Helena

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,643 in United States versus $877 in Saint Helena.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,857 in United States versus $1,429 in Saint Helena.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,070 in United States versus $1,981 in Saint Helena.

Living in United States is roughly 201% more expensive than in Saint Helena on average.

United States (99% above) and Saint Helena (34% below) straddle the global median.

Internal cost variation is higher in United States: monthly costs span $1,341 to $5,153, compared to $514$1,240 in Saint Helena. City choice carries more weight in United States.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Saint Helena
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.67 $19.67
$16.47 SHP 12.20
19.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.9 $73.9
$53.8 SHP 39.85
37.38%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.35 $11.35
$12.10 SHP 8.96
-6.20%
Cappuccino
$5.15 $5.15
$3.12 SHP 2.31
65.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 $2.54
$1.22 SHP 0.90
108.20%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$1.12 SHP 0.83
91.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.13 $6.13
$4.68 SHP 3.47
30.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.84 $6.84
$2.59 SHP 1.92
164.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Saint Helena
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.92 SHP 1.42
-45.83%
White Bread (500g)
$3.54 $3.54
$1.83 SHP 1.36
93.44%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.66 $4.66
$1.38 SHP 1.02
237.68%
Eggs
$4.20 $4.20
$4.33 SHP 3.21
-3.00%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.73 $12.73
$8.03 SHP 5.95
58.53%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.45 $12.45
$10.73 SHP 7.95
16.03%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.15 $16.15
$11.09 SHP 8.22
45.63%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.72 $1.72
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$4.61 $4.61
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$4.95 $4.95
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$3.01 $3.01
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$3.16 $3.16
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.25 $2.25
$2.75 SHP 2.04
-18.18%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$2.30 SHP 1.71
-4.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.07 $10.07
$11.42 SHP 8.46
-11.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.26 $15.26
$15.70 SHP 11.63
-2.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.01 $2.01
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 $3.53
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Saint Helena
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.45 $2.45
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.3 $65.3
$40.65 SHP 30.11
60.54%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.73 $3.73
$2.67 SHP 1.98
39.70%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 $1.76
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.83 $29.83
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$2.57 SHP 1.91
-62.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K $29.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Saint Helena
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$204 $204
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.7 $56.7
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.7 $71.7
$164 SHP 122
-56.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Saint Helena
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.88 $45.88
$13.65 SHP 10.11
236.12%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.70 $21.70
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.96 $13.96
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Saint Helena
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,400 $1,400
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.0K $23.0K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Saint Helena
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.3 $53.3
$41.16 SHP 30.49
29.40%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.28 $42.28
$20.65 SHP 15.30
104.75%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 $91.5
$48.39 SHP 35.85
89.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Saint Helena
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,704 $1,704
$713 SHP 528
139.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,454 $1,454
$623 SHP 462
133.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,933 $2,933
$707 SHP 524
314.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,420 $2,420
$659 SHP 488
267.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,366 $3,366
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,596 $2,596
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Saint Helena
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,392 $4,392
$784 SHP 581
460.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.2
5.00%

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

Last update for United States: July 26, 2026

Last update for Saint Helena: July 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $1,635 in United States, $715 in Saint Helena. Capital cities: $2,575 in Washington, DC vs $673 in Jamestown.

National salary averages: $4,499 in United States, $764 in Saint Helena. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 129% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 26% more in United States.

Public transport is 64% more expensive in Saint Helena.

Salaries are 489% 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 Saint Helena: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Saint Helena and United States?
At $877 per month in Saint Helena and $3,247 in United States, there's a 270% 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 Saint Helena: 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 Saint Helena across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Saint Helena or in United States?
In Saint Helena, $1,500 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 Saint Helena or to United States?
It depends on what you're after: Saint Helena 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

Similar countries