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