Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Tunisia Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Tunisia

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,622 in United States versus $661 in Tunisia.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,830 in United States versus $1,041 in Tunisia.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,038 in United States versus $1,421 in Tunisia.

Living in United States is roughly 297% more expensive than in Tunisia on average.

United States (91% above) and Tunisia (52% below) straddle the global median.

Internal cost variation is higher in United States: monthly costs span $983 to $5,177, compared to $456$853 in Tunisia. City choice carries more weight in United States.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Tunisia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.78 $19.78
$4.15 TND 12.01
376.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.4 $81.4
$20.56 TND 59.5
295.67%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.11 $12.11
$5.18 TND 14.98
133.78%
Cappuccino
$5.44 $5.44
$0.94 TND 2.72
478.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67 $2.67
$0.66 TND 1.89
304.55%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08 $2.08
$0.30 TND 0.87
593.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.06 $6.06
$1.70 TND 4.91
256.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.14 $8.14
$2.01 TND 5.82
304.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Tunisia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 $1.05
$0.48 TND 1.40
118.75%
White Bread (500g)
$3.65 $3.65
$0.21 TND 0.60
1638.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
$1.52 TND 4.39
192.76%
Eggs
$4.35 $4.35
$1.61 TND 4.67
170.19%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.73 $12.73
$11.05 TND 31.94
15.20%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.46 $12.46
$5.77 TND 16.68
115.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.95 $16.95
$14.66 TND 42.39
15.62%
Apples (1kg)
$5.30 $5.30
$1.88 TND 5.44
181.91%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$3.36 TND 9.71
-49.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.40 $4.40
$1.19 TND 3.45
269.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.01 $5.01
$0.75 TND 2.18
568.00%
Potato (1kg)
$2.87 $2.87
$0.73 TND 2.11
293.15%
Onion (1kg)
$3.13 $3.13
$0.68 TND 1.97
360.29%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.32 $2.32
$0.45 TND 1.30
415.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$0.31 TND 0.89
654.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.55 $10.55
$3.65 TND 10.56
189.04%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.94 $14.94
$6.74 TND 19.49
121.66%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.12 $2.12
$1.25 TND 3.60
69.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69 $3.69
$1.32 TND 3.83
179.55%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Tunisia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.37 $2.37
$0.35 TND 1.03
577.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.1 $65.1
$10.22 TND 29.55
536.59%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.42 $3.42
$0.30 TND 0.86
1040.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.89 $1.89
$0.35 TND 1.01
440.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.16 $30.16
$4.12 TND 11.92
632.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.98 $0.98
$0.89 TND 2.57
10.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9K $35.9K
$40.8K TND 117.9K
-11.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$35.9K TND 103.9K
-27.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Tunisia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$218 $218
$55.5 TND 160
292.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.0 $61.0
$10.17 TND 29.40
499.90%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.8 $74.8
$20.07 TND 58.0
272.85%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Tunisia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.42 $44.42
$26.79 TND 77.5
65.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.53 $22.53
$12.21 TND 35.30
84.52%
Cinema Ticket
$14.80 $14.80
$5.51 TND 15.93
168.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Tunisia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,476 $1,476
$85.9 TND 248
1617.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.9K $25.9K
$2,765 TND 7,995
836.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Tunisia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4 $54.4
$42.60 TND 123
27.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.59 $43.59
$55.6 TND 161
-21.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$92.9 $92.9
$101 TND 292
-8.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$75.5 TND 218
50.95%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Tunisia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,639 $1,639
$237 TND 685
592.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,358 $1,358
$160 TND 464
746.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,699 $2,699
$392 TND 1,133
588.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,199 $2,199
$283 TND 819
675.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,269 $3,269
$1,034 TND 2,988
216.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,589 $2,589
$651 TND 1,883
297.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Tunisia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,357 $4,357
$331 TND 958
1215.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.21
11.18
-44.45%

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

Last update for United States: August 30, 2026

Last update for Tunisia: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $1,606 in United States, $209 in Tunisia. Capital cities: $1,373 in Columbia, TN vs $381 in Tunis.

National salary averages: $4,519 in United States, $313 in Tunisia. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 668% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 295% more in United States.

Public transport is 170% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1344% 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 Tunisia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Tunisia and United States?
At $655 per month in Tunisia and $3,080 in United States, there's a 371% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Day-to-day life is simply cheaper in Tunisia: 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.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent in United States is consistently higher than in Tunisia across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Tunisia or in United States?
In Tunisia, $1,000 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.
Should I move to Tunisia or to United States?
It depends on what you're after: Tunisia 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

Similar countries