Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Western Sahara Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Western Sahara

Name: Western Sahara
Address: EH

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,642 per month in United States vs $636 in Western Sahara, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $1,031 in Western Sahara, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,072 per month in United States vs $1,425 in Western Sahara, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 315% higher than in Western Sahara on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 98% above the global median, while Western Sahara is 52% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($1,335–$5,182) than in Western Sahara ($636–$636), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.63 $19.63

$3.96 MAD 36.97

395.71%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.4 $75.4

$28.80 MAD 269

161.94%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.57 $11.57

$4.55 MAD 42.40

154.29%

Cappuccino

$5.22 $5.22

$1.62 MAD 15.09

222.22%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 $2.49

$0.49 MAD 4.55

408.16%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$0.35 MAD 3.22

488.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.91 $5.91

$3.40 MAD 31.71

73.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.13 $7.13

$4.73 MAD 44.07

50.74%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.83 MAD 7.73

31.33%

White Bread (500g)

$3.56 $3.56

$0.56 MAD 5.25

535.71%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$1.83 MAD 17.10

159.02%

Eggs

$4.34 $4.34

$1.42 MAD 13.24

205.63%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.68 $12.68

$11.36 MAD 106

11.62%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.28 $12.28

$3.50 MAD 32.67

250.86%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.60 $16.60

$9.38 MAD 87.4

76.97%

Apples (1kg)

$5.16 $5.16

$1.54 MAD 14.41

235.06%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.17 MAD 10.93

45.30%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.45 $4.45

$0.66 MAD 6.16

574.24%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.80 $4.80

$0.56 MAD 5.25

757.14%

Potato (1kg)

$2.93 $2.93

$0.48 MAD 4.45

510.42%

Onion (1kg)

$3.09 $3.09

$0.37 MAD 3.41

735.14%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 $2.22

$0.98 MAD 9.09

126.53%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.25 $2.25

$0.60 MAD 5.62

275.00%

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

$3.46 MAD 32.22

3.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.46 $2.46

$0.56 MAD 5.22

339.29%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.6 $64.6

$11.59 MAD 108

457.72%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.77 $3.77

$0.71 MAD 6.58

430.99%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.71 $1.71

$0.66 MAD 6.11

159.09%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.08 $30.08

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$1.22 MAD 11.40

-21.31%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.9K $29.9K

$40.0K MAD 373.1K

-25.37%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.1K $26.1K

$27.0K MAD 251.8K

-3.18%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$210 $210

$32.15 MAD 300

553.56%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$56.3 $56.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.9 $72.9

$21.90 MAD 204

232.69%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.39 $45.39

$23.58 MAD 220

92.49%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.60 $21.60

$34.79 MAD 324

-37.91%

Cinema Ticket

$14.04 $14.04

$3.44 MAD 32.11

308.14%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,377 $1,377

$293 MAD 2,730

370.40%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.4K $22.4K

$3,424 MAD 31.9K

553.02%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.7 $52.7

$34.90 MAD 325

51.03%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.41 $42.41

$57.7 MAD 538

-26.52%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.8 $91.8

$75.0 MAD 699

22.35%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$80.4 MAD 750

41.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,765 $1,765

$352 MAD 3,287

400.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,462 $1,462

$171 MAD 1,594

755.65%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,849 $2,849

$696 MAD 6,487

309.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,369 $2,369

$291 MAD 2,713

714.36%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,364 $3,364

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,665 $2,665

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,378 $4,378

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

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

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Last update for Western Sahara: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $347 in Western Sahara. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,625 in Washington, MI and $347 in Laayoune.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 371% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 152% more in United States.

Public transport is 108% more expensive 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 Western Sahara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Western Sahara is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 412% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

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.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Western Sahara, contributing to the overall 412% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$800 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Western Sahara, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Western Sahara 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.