Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Sierra Leone Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Sierra Leone

Name: Sierra Leone
Address: SL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,642 per month in United States vs $1,921 in Sierra Leone, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $1,684 in Sierra Leone, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,072 per month in United States vs $1,446 in Sierra Leone, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 38% higher than in Sierra Leone on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both United States and Sierra Leone are pricier than the global median – United States by 98%, Sierra Leone by 44%.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($1,335–$5,182) than in Sierra Leone ($1,921–$1,921), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.63 $19.63

$3.02 SLL 68.7K

550.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.4 $75.4

$32.43 SLL 738.4K

132.62%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.57 $11.57

$9.92 SLL 225.9K

16.63%

Cappuccino

$5.22 $5.22

$1.68 SLL 38.2K

210.71%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 $2.49

$0.92 SLL 20.9K

170.65%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$0.84 SLL 19.0K

145.24%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.91 $5.91

$1.49 SLL 33.9K

296.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.13 $7.13

$2.90 SLL 66.0K

145.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$2.43 SLL 55.3K

-55.14%

White Bread (500g)

$3.56 $3.56

$0.69 SLL 15.8K

415.94%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$1.36 SLL 31.1K

248.53%

Eggs

$4.34 $4.34

$2.02 SLL 46.1K

114.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.68 $12.68

$7.30 SLL 166.1K

73.70%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.28 $12.28

$7.51 SLL 171.0K

63.52%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.60 $16.60

$5.18 SLL 117.9K

220.46%

Apples (1kg)

$5.16 $5.16

$4.12 SLL 93.8K

25.24%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.05 SLL 46.7K

-17.07%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.45 $4.45

$0.72 SLL 16.5K

518.06%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.80 $4.80

$4.93 SLL 112.2K

-2.64%

Potato (1kg)

$2.93 $2.93

$1.94 SLL 44.3K

51.03%

Onion (1kg)

$3.09 $3.09

$1.64 SLL 37.4K

88.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 $2.22

$0.98 SLL 22.2K

126.53%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.25 $2.25

$1.42 SLL 32.4K

58.45%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.90 $9.90

$1.95 SLL 44.5K

407.69%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.28 $15.28

$7.36 SLL 167.5K

107.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$1.49 SLL 33.9K

28.19%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.58 $3.58

$2.11 SLL 48.1K

69.67%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.46 $2.46

$0.45 SLL 10.2K

446.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.6 $64.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.77 $3.77

$0.72 SLL 16.4K

423.61%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.26 SLL 28.8K

35.71%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.08 $30.08

$4.90 SLL 111.6K

513.88%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$1.36 SLL 30.9K

-29.41%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.9K $29.9K

$11.8K SLL 269.1M

152.67%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.1K $26.1K

$25.1K SLL 571.5M

4.15%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$210 $210

$144 SLL 3.3M

45.64%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$56.3 $56.3

$17.33 SLL 394.6K

224.81%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.9 $72.9

$73.6 SLL 1.7M

-1.02%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.39 $45.39

$49.81 SLL 1.1M

-8.87%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.60 $21.60

Cinema Ticket

$14.04 $14.04

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,377 $1,377

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.4K $22.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.7 $52.7

$9.81 SLL 223.4K

437.31%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.41 $42.41

$8.15 SLL 185.6K

420.37%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.8 $91.8

$20.12 SLL 458.0K

356.01%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$49.78 SLL 1.1M

128.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,765 $1,765

$835 SLL 19.0M

111.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,462 $1,462

$1,263 SLL 28.8M

15.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,849 $2,849

$2,111 SLL 48.1M

34.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,369 $2,369

$101 SLL 2.3M

2254.16%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,364 $3,364

$1,108 SLL 25.2M

203.59%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,665 $2,665

$1,107 SLL 25.2M

140.77%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,378 $4,378

$1,338 SLL 30.5M

227.19%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

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

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Last update for Sierra Leone: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $810 in Sierra Leone. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,625 in Washington, MI and $810 in Freetown.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $1,308 in Sierra Leone. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 102% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 128% more in United States.

Salaries are 244% 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 Sierra Leone: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Sierra Leone is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 70% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

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.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Sierra Leone, contributing to the overall 70% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Sierra Leone, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Sierra Leone 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.