🙂A single person spends $122 per month in Western Sahara vs $2,626 in United States, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $178 per month in Western Sahara vs $3,830 in United States, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $233 per month in Western Sahara vs $5,033 in United States, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Western Sahara is roughly 95% lower than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Western Sahara sits 91% below the global median, while United States is 90% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
📏The regional cost range is wider in Western Sahara ($122–$122) than in United States ($986–$5,298), so city choice matters more there.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Western Sahara
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.32MAD 40.61
$19.83$19.83
-78.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$78.8$78.8
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.42MAD 32.12
$12.19$12.19
-71.94%
Cappuccino
$2.18MAD 20.47
$5.59$5.59
-61.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42MAD 3.94
$2.78$2.78
-84.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33MAD 3.13
$2.18$2.18
-84.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$5.86$5.86
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$8.02$8.02
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Western Sahara
United States
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.07$1.07
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$3.68$3.68
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$4.66$4.66
-
Eggs
-
$4.20$4.20
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$12.78$12.78
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$12.40$12.40
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$16.90$16.90
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$5.23$5.23
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.66$1.66
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$4.33$4.33
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$4.96$4.96
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$2.82$2.82
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$3.11$3.11
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$2.19$2.19
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.26$2.26
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$10.35$10.35
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$14.81$14.81
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.09$2.09
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.65$3.65
-
🚌 Getting Around
Western Sahara
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.72MAD 6.78
$2.38$2.38
-69.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$64.5$64.5
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.77MAD 7.20
$3.54$3.54
-78.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77MAD 7.25
$1.86$1.86
-58.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$30.34$30.34
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36MAD 12.81
$1.00$1.00
36.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$35.5K$35.5K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$25.9K$25.9K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Western Sahara
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$222$222
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$61.1$61.1
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.12MAD 199
$74.7$74.7
-71.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Western Sahara
United States
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$44.49$44.49
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$22.35$22.35
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$15.03$15.03
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Western Sahara
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$1,431$1,431
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$25.9K$25.9K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Western Sahara
United States
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.56MAD 456
$53.6$53.6
-9.37%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$43.46$43.46
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$91.5$91.5
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$114$114
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Western Sahara
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,633$1,633
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,328$1,328
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,606$2,606
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,206$2,206
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,323$3,323
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,653$2,653
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Western Sahara
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$4,306$4,306
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
6.21
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Western Sahara: September 6, 2026
Last update for United States: September 7, 2026
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
Is United States more expensive than Western Sahara?
Western Sahara is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 2475% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
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.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Western Sahara, contributing to the overall 2475% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $800 a realistic budget in United States or in Western Sahara?
$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.
Should I move to United States or to Western Sahara?
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.
Western Sahara vs other spots: cost of living compared