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 $2,642 per month in United States vs $2,129 in Solomon Islands, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $2,857 in Solomon Islands, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,072 per month in United States vs $3,585 in Solomon Islands, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 24% 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 98%, Solomon Islands by 59%.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($1,335$5,182) than in Solomon Islands ($2,120$2,137), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.63 $19.63
$4.59 SBD 37.03
327.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.4 $75.4
$53.7 SBD 433
40.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.57 $11.57
$11.84 SBD 95.6
-2.28%
Cappuccino
$5.22 $5.22
$3.04 SBD 24.52
71.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$1.46 SBD 11.77
70.55%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$1.18 SBD 9.52
74.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.91 $5.91
$2.35 SBD 18.93
151.49%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.13 $7.13
$3.28 SBD 26.46
117.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$2.68 SBD 21.65
-59.33%
White Bread (500g)
$3.56 $3.56
$1.47 SBD 11.85
142.18%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.74 $4.74
$1.44 SBD 11.59
229.17%
Eggs
$4.34 $4.34
$5.64 SBD 45.52
-23.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.68 $12.68
$5.79 SBD 46.69
119.00%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.28 $12.28
$8.16 SBD 65.8
50.49%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.60 $16.60
$13.84 SBD 112
19.94%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$8.55 SBD 69.0
-39.65%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$2.66 SBD 21.45
-36.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
$7.52 SBD 60.7
-40.82%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.80 $4.80
$3.15 SBD 25.45
52.38%
Potato (1kg)
$2.93 $2.93
$2.25 SBD 18.13
30.22%
Onion (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
$3.13 SBD 25.25
-1.28%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.46 SBD 11.80
52.05%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 $2.25
$1.09 SBD 8.79
106.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.90 $9.90
$4.01 SBD 32.35
146.88%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.28 $15.28
$12.62 SBD 102
21.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$1.88 SBD 15.20
1.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
$2.92 SBD 23.60
22.60%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.46 $2.46
$0.35 SBD 2.82
602.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.6 $64.6
$30.46 SBD 246
112.21%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.77 $3.77
$1.22 SBD 9.85
209.02%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.16 SBD 9.35
47.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.08 $30.08
$11.84 SBD 95.5
154.05%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.37 SBD 11.05
-29.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K $29.9K
$20.4K SBD 165.0K
46.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$21.1K SBD 170.4K
23.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
$732 SBD 5,903
-71.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.3 $56.3
$23.24 SBD 188
142.21%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.9 $72.9
$99.1 SBD 799
-26.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.39 $45.39
$17.98 SBD 145
152.45%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.60 $21.60
$6.09 SBD 49.13
254.68%
Cinema Ticket
$14.04 $14.04
$4.16 SBD 33.59
237.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,377 $1,377
$118 SBD 949
1071.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$2,218 SBD 17.9K
908.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.7 $52.7
$24.46 SBD 197
115.49%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.41 $42.41
$89.1 SBD 718
-52.38%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.8 $91.8
$95.8 SBD 773
-4.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$89.6 SBD 723
26.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,765 $1,765
$517 SBD 4,170
241.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,462 $1,462
$473 SBD 3,820
208.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,849 $2,849
$1,122 SBD 9,050
153.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,369 $2,369
$918 SBD 7,406
158.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,364 $3,364
$88.4K SBD 713.6K
-96.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,665 $2,665
$61.2K SBD 494.1K
-95.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Solomon Islands
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,378 $4,378
$468 SBD 3,775
835.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
16.33
-60.13%

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

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Last update for Solomon Islands: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $557 in Solomon Islands. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,625 in Washington, MI and $532 in Honiara.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $546 in Solomon Islands. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 194% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 38% more in United States.

Salaries are 724% 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 53% 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 53% 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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