😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,626 in United States versus $236 in South Sudan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,830 in United States versus $369 in South Sudan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,033 in United States versus $502 in South Sudan.
🌍Living in United States is roughly 1013% more expensive than in South Sudan on average.
📊United States (90% above) and South Sudan (83% below) straddle the global median.
📏Internal cost variation is higher in United States: monthly costs span $986 to $5,298, compared to $236–$236 in South Sudan. City choice carries more weight in United States.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.83$19.83
$20.20SSP 56.9K
-1.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8$78.8
$171SSP 480.0K
-53.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.19$12.19
$7.57SSP 21.3K
61.03%
Cappuccino
$5.59$5.59
$3.15SSP 8,863
77.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78$2.78
$1.49SSP 4,188
86.58%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18$2.18
$1.35SSP 3,808
61.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.86$5.86
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.02$8.02
$12.19SSP 34.3K
-34.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.07$1.07
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$3.68$3.68
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.66$4.66
-
-
Eggs
$4.20$4.20
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.78$12.78
$7.27SSP 20.5K
75.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.40$12.40
$5.39SSP 15.2K
130.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.90$16.90
$11.68SSP 32.9K
44.69%
Apples(1kg)
$5.23$5.23
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.66$1.66
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$4.33$4.33
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$4.96$4.96
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.82$2.82
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$3.11$3.11
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.19$2.19
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.26$2.26
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.35$10.35
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$14.81$14.81
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09$2.09
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65$3.65
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
United States
South Sudan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.38$2.38
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$64.5$64.5
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.54$3.54
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.86$1.86
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$30.34$30.34
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.00$1.00
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K$35.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K$25.9K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$222$222
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.1$61.1
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.7$74.7
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.49$44.49
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.35$22.35
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.03$15.03
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,431$1,431
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$25.9K$25.9K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.6$53.6
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.46$43.46
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.5$91.5
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114$114
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
South Sudan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,633$1,633
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,328$1,328
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,606$2,606
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,206$2,206
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,323$3,323
$1,098SSP 3.1M
202.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,653$2,653
$589SSP 1.7M
350.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,306$4,306
$2,052SSP 5.8M
109.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.21
8.85
-29.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for United States: September 7, 2026
Last update for South Sudan: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰National salary averages: $4,526 in United States, $1,801 in South Sudan. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Salaries are 151% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in South Sudan.
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 South Sudan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the cost of living in South Sudan compare to the cost in United States?
At $236 per month in South Sudan and $3,142 in United States, there's a 1231% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
How do daily expenses compare in South Sudan vs United States?
Day-to-day life is simply cheaper in South Sudan: 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.
Is rent more expensive in South Sudan or in United States?
Rent in United States is consistently higher than in South Sudan across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Can you live in both South Sudan and United States on $800 per month?
In South Sudan, $800 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.
Which country is better for expats: South Sudan or United States?
It depends on what you're after: South Sudan 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