Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Solomon Islands Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Solomon Islands

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,622 per month in United States vs $1,967 in Solomon Islands, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,830 per month in United States vs $2,988 in Solomon Islands, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,038 per month in United States vs $4,009 in Solomon Islands, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 33% higher than in Solomon Islands on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both United States and Solomon Islands are pricier than the global median – United States by 91%, Solomon Islands by 43%.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($983$5,177) than in Solomon Islands ($1,718$2,216), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.78 $19.78
$6.37 SBD 51.0
210.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.4 $81.4
$64.8 SBD 518
25.50%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.11 $12.11
$12.36 SBD 98.9
-2.02%
Cappuccino
$5.44 $5.44
$3.44 SBD 27.51
58.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67 $2.67
$1.49 SBD 11.90
79.19%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08 $2.08
$1.13 SBD 9.03
84.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.06 $6.06
$2.82 SBD 22.58
114.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.14 $8.14
$4.76 SBD 38.10
71.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 $1.05
$2.86 SBD 22.87
-63.29%
White Bread (500g)
$3.65 $3.65
$1.48 SBD 11.82
146.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
$1.60 SBD 12.81
178.13%
Eggs
$4.35 $4.35
$5.97 SBD 47.72
-27.14%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.73 $12.73
$7.02 SBD 56.2
81.34%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.46 $12.46
$8.05 SBD 64.4
54.78%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.95 $16.95
$14.74 SBD 118
14.99%
Apples (1kg)
$5.30 $5.30
$6.59 SBD 52.7
-19.58%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$2.70 SBD 21.63
-37.04%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.40 $4.40
$8.38 SBD 67.0
-47.49%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.01 $5.01
$3.71 SBD 29.68
35.04%
Potato (1kg)
$2.87 $2.87
$2.21 SBD 17.67
29.86%
Onion (1kg)
$3.13 $3.13
$3.41 SBD 27.25
-8.21%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.32 $2.32
$1.63 SBD 13.04
42.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$1.21 SBD 9.65
93.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.55 $10.55
$4.33 SBD 34.62
143.65%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.94 $14.94
$12.27 SBD 98.1
21.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.12 $2.12
$1.75 SBD 13.98
21.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69 $3.69
$3.22 SBD 25.72
14.60%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.37 $2.37
$0.36 SBD 2.85
558.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.1 $65.1
$31.83 SBD 255
104.40%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.42 $3.42
$1.22 SBD 9.76
180.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.89 $1.89
$1.26 SBD 10.08
50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.16 $30.16
$12.56 SBD 100
140.13%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.98 $0.98
$1.43 SBD 11.42
-31.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9K $35.9K
$20.1K SBD 160.5K
79.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$28.2K SBD 225.6K
-8.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$218 $218
$551 SBD 4,408
-60.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.0 $61.0
$24.42 SBD 195
149.84%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.8 $74.8
$102 SBD 817
-26.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.42 $44.42
$27.59 SBD 221
61.00%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.53 $22.53
$9.31 SBD 74.5
142.00%
Cinema Ticket
$14.80 $14.80
$4.31 SBD 34.46
243.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,476 $1,476
$123 SBD 987
1095.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.9K $25.9K
$2,325 SBD 18.6K
1014.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4 $54.4
$26.51 SBD 212
105.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.59 $43.59
$94.6 SBD 756
-53.91%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$92.9 $92.9
$99.4 SBD 795
-6.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$101 SBD 808
12.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,639 $1,639
$599 SBD 4,793
173.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,358 $1,358
$522 SBD 4,173
160.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,699 $2,699
$1,603 SBD 12.8K
68.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,199 $2,199
$1,349 SBD 10.8K
62.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,269 $3,269
$87.7K SBD 701.8K
-96.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,589 $2,589
$61.5K SBD 491.6K
-95.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,357 $4,357
$475 SBD 3,801
816.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.21
15.83
-60.77%

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

Last update for United States: August 30, 2026

Last update for Solomon Islands: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,606 in United States vs $751 in Solomon Islands. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,373 in Columbia, TN and $902 in Honiara.

Average salary: $4,519 in United States vs $558 in Solomon Islands. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 114% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 25% more in United States.

Salaries are 710% 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 Solomon Islands: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solomon Islands more expensive than United States?
Solomon Islands is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 57% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
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.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Solomon Islands, contributing to the overall 57% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Solomon Islands or in United States?
$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Solomon Islands, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Solomon Islands or to United States?
Solomon Islands 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.

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