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 $2,643 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 $5,070 per month in United States vs $1,426 in Western Sahara, rent included.

United States costs about 316% more than Western Sahara on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 97% above the global median, while Western Sahara is 53% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

United States has a wider regional cost range ($1,343–$5,081) than Western Sahara ($636–$636), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.04 $20.04

$3.90 MAD 35.83

413.85%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.0 $76.0

$28.73 MAD 264

164.60%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.42 $11.42

$4.52 MAD 41.55

152.65%

Cappuccino

$5.39 $5.39

$1.68 MAD 15.40

220.83%

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

$2.55 $2.55

$0.49 MAD 4.47

420.41%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$0.32 MAD 2.93

537.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.14 $6.14

$3.53 MAD 32.49

73.94%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.18 $7.18

$4.51 MAD 41.42

59.20%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.84 MAD 7.71

23.81%

White Bread (500g)

$3.65 $3.65

$0.60 MAD 5.49

508.33%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.73 $4.73

$1.81 MAD 16.59

161.33%

Eggs

$4.38 $4.38

$1.43 MAD 13.13

206.29%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.76 $12.76

$11.38 MAD 105

12.13%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.42 $12.42

$3.56 MAD 32.68

248.88%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.41 $16.41

$9.17 MAD 84.3

78.95%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$1.49 MAD 13.67

263.76%

Banana (1kg)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.13 MAD 10.38

46.02%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$0.67 MAD 6.20

585.07%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.91 $4.91

$0.56 MAD 5.18

776.79%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$0.47 MAD 4.33

521.28%

Onion (1kg)

$3.13 $3.13

$0.34 MAD 3.12

820.59%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 $2.26

$0.97 MAD 8.93

132.99%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.30 $2.30

$0.59 MAD 5.45

289.83%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.89 $9.89

Wine (Bottle)

$15.10 $15.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 $3.66

$3.53 MAD 32.47

3.68%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$0.59 MAD 5.46

320.34%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.8 $64.8

$11.43 MAD 105

467.19%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.84 $3.84

$0.73 MAD 6.69

426.03%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.76 $1.76

$0.70 MAD 6.40

151.43%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.58 $30.58

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$1.29 MAD 11.89

-25.58%

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

$30.5K $30.5K

$40.2K MAD 369.6K

-24.20%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$26.4K MAD 242.2K

0.08%

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

$204 $204

$32.89 MAD 302

520.77%

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

$57.3 $57.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.2 $71.2

$22.49 MAD 207

216.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.67 $46.67

$23.60 MAD 217

97.75%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.12 $22.12

$34.93 MAD 321

-36.67%

Cinema Ticket

$13.84 $13.84

$3.38 MAD 31.10

309.47%

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

$1,384 $1,384

$294 MAD 2,701

370.79%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.7K $22.7K

$3,410 MAD 31.3K

565.73%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.0 $53.0

$34.24 MAD 315

54.76%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.17 $43.17

$58.3 MAD 536

-26.00%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.6 $90.6

$73.9 MAD 680

22.49%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$80.4 MAD 739

42.07%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,766 $1,766

$350 MAD 3,216

404.74%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,459 $1,459

$174 MAD 1,603

736.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,832 $2,832

$684 MAD 6,289

313.79%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,411 $2,411

$289 MAD 2,653

735.25%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,287 $3,287

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,650 $2,650

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,379 $4,379

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: May 30, 2026

Last update for Western Sahara: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,637 in United States vs $354 in Western Sahara. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,591 in Washington, DC and $354 in Laayoune.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 362% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 152% more in United States.

Public transport is 127% 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 405% 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 405% 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.