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

Name: United States
Address: US

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

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

The cost of living in Western Sahara is roughly 76% lower than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

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

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.96 MAD 36.97

$19.63 $19.63

-79.83%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.80 MAD 269

$75.4 $75.4

-61.82%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.55 MAD 42.40

$11.57 $11.57

-60.67%

Cappuccino

$1.62 MAD 15.09

$5.22 $5.22

-68.97%

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

$0.49 MAD 4.55

$2.49 $2.49

-80.32%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 MAD 3.22

$2.06 $2.06

-83.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.40 MAD 31.71

$5.91 $5.91

-42.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.73 MAD 44.07

$7.13 $7.13

-33.66%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 MAD 7.73

$1.09 $1.09

-23.85%

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 MAD 5.25

$3.56 $3.56

-84.27%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.83 MAD 17.10

$4.74 $4.74

-61.39%

Eggs

$1.42 MAD 13.24

$4.34 $4.34

-67.28%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.36 MAD 106

$12.68 $12.68

-10.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.50 MAD 32.67

$12.28 $12.28

-71.50%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.38 MAD 87.4

$16.60 $16.60

-43.49%

Apples (1kg)

$1.54 MAD 14.41

$5.16 $5.16

-70.16%

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 MAD 10.93

$1.70 $1.70

-31.18%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.66 MAD 6.16

$4.45 $4.45

-85.17%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.56 MAD 5.25

$4.80 $4.80

-88.33%

Potato (1kg)

$0.48 MAD 4.45

$2.93 $2.93

-83.62%

Onion (1kg)

$0.37 MAD 3.41

$3.09 $3.09

-88.03%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 MAD 9.09

$2.22 $2.22

-55.86%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 MAD 5.62

$2.25 $2.25

-73.33%

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)

$3.46 MAD 32.22

$3.58 $3.58

-3.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.56 MAD 5.22

$2.46 $2.46

-77.24%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.59 MAD 108

$64.6 $64.6

-82.07%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.71 MAD 6.58

$3.77 $3.77

-81.17%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.66 MAD 6.11

$1.71 $1.71

-61.40%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.08 $30.08

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 MAD 11.40

$0.96 $0.96

27.08%

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

$40.0K MAD 373.1K

$29.9K $29.9K

34.00%

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

$27.0K MAD 251.8K

$26.1K $26.1K

3.28%

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

$32.15 MAD 300

$210 $210

-84.70%

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

$56.3 $56.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$21.90 MAD 204

$72.9 $72.9

-69.94%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$23.58 MAD 220

$45.39 $45.39

-48.05%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.79 MAD 324

$21.60 $21.60

61.06%

Cinema Ticket

$3.44 MAD 32.11

$14.04 $14.04

-75.50%

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

$293 MAD 2,730

$1,377 $1,377

-78.74%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,424 MAD 31.9K

$22.4K $22.4K

-84.69%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$34.90 MAD 325

$52.7 $52.7

-33.79%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.7 MAD 538

$42.41 $42.41

36.10%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.0 MAD 699

$91.8 $91.8

-18.27%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.4 MAD 750

$114 $114

-29.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$352 MAD 3,287

$1,765 $1,765

-80.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$171 MAD 1,594

$1,462 $1,462

-88.31%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$696 MAD 6,487

$2,849 $2,849

-75.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$291 MAD 2,713

$2,369 $2,369

-87.72%

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 Western Sahara: July 13, 2026

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

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

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

Western Sahara vs United States: 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.