Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and South Sudan Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and South Sudan

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,642 in United States versus $3,282 in South Sudan.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,857 in United States versus $2,889 in South Sudan.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,072 in United States versus $2,495 in South Sudan.

Living in United States costs about 20% less than in South Sudan on average.

Both countries sit above the global median: United States 98% above, South Sudan 146% above.

Internal cost variation is higher in United States: monthly costs span $1,335 to $5,182, compared to $3,282$3,282 in South Sudan. City choice carries more weight in United States.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.63 $19.63
$5.06 SSP 14.2K
287.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.4 $75.4
$48.09 SSP 135.4K
56.87%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.57 $11.57
$6.87 SSP 19.3K
68.41%
Cappuccino
$5.22 $5.22
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$0.98 SSP 2,765
154.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.91 $5.91
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.13 $7.13
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$3.56 $3.56
-
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.74 $4.74
-
-
Eggs
$4.34 $4.34
$2.07 SSP 5,839
109.66%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.68 $12.68
$7.14 SSP 20.1K
77.59%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.28 $12.28
$5.47 SSP 15.4K
124.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.60 $16.60
$11.66 SSP 32.8K
42.37%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$4.80 $4.80
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$2.93 $2.93
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 $2.25
$0.52 SSP 1,470
332.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.90 $9.90
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$15.28 $15.28
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
United States
South Sudan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.46 $2.46
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.6 $64.6
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.77 $3.77
$6.93 SSP 19.5K
-45.60%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 $1.71
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.08 $30.08
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.47 SSP 4,127
-34.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K $29.9K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.3 $56.3
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.9 $72.9
$101 SSP 283.6K
-27.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.39 $45.39
$344 SSP 969.6K
-86.82%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.60 $21.60
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.04 $14.04
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,377 $1,377
$839 SSP 2.4M
64.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.7 $52.7
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.41 $42.41
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.8 $91.8
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
South Sudan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,765 $1,765
$3,440 SSP 9.7M
-48.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,462 $1,462
$2,663 SSP 7.5M
-45.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,849 $2,849
$12.0K SSP 33.7M
-76.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,369 $2,369
$1,282 SSP 3.6M
84.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,364 $3,364
$1,083 SSP 3.0M
210.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,665 $2,665
$592 SSP 1.7M
349.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
South Sudan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,378 $4,378
$2,002 SSP 5.6M
118.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
8.85
-26.44%

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

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Last update for South Sudan: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $1,635 in United States, $3,532 in South Sudan. Capital cities: $1,625 in Washington, MI vs $3,532 in Juba.

National salary averages: $4,500 in United States, $1,764 in South Sudan. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 116% higher in South Sudan.

Dining out costs 55% more in United States.

Salaries are 155% 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 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 $3,282 per month in South Sudan and $3,259 in United States, there's a 1% 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 United States: 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 South Sudan is consistently higher than in United States 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 $4,000 per month?
In United States, $4,000 covers most cities easily; in South Sudan 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: United States wins on affordability; South Sudan may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.

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