For one person, living costs in Pago Pago are estimated at $1,457 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $28 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Pago Pago actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $1,457 monthly including rent, or $856 excluding housing.
$1,457 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,255 with rent, or $1,409 without housing.
$2,255 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,054 including rent, or $1,961 for daily expenses alone.
$3,054 /mo
📊
Pago Pago sits about 7% above the global median. Within Oceania, costs are 24% below average – relatively affordable for the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K$29.5K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K$20.4K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$403$403
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.31$30.31
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.9$73.9
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.91$49.91
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.15$10.15
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.84$8.84
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$993$993
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,975$9,975
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.9$69.9
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.11$49.11
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$79.5$79.5
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.0$98.0
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$320$320
$148$148
$492$492
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$198$198
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$912$912
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$690$690
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$17.7K$17.7K
$10.6K$10.6K
$24.7K$24.7K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$10.8K$10.8K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,178$1,178
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 17, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Pago Pago$1,457
Pago Pago$3,054
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$507 34.8%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$362 24.9%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$198 13.6%
🚌Getting Around
$146 10%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$133 9.2%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$68 4.6%
🍽Eating Out
$42 * 2.9%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$537 17.6%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$835 27.4%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$690 22.6%
🚌Getting Around
$296 9.7%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$297 9.7%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$145 4.8%
🍽Eating Out
$254 * 8.3%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $320 for a central one-bedroom, or $198 outside the center. At 27% of the average salary ($1,178), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $1,178, while typical expenses reach $1,457. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.
🛒Expect to spend about $362 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $36.00 for two – well below the Oceanian average of $57.0.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $123 per month – above the Oceanian average of $59.0.
Cost Highlights
⭐Pago Pago has the cheapest 1-bedroom apartment, outside city center in Oceania
⭐Pago Pago has the 2nd cheapest local beer in Oceania
⭐Pago Pago has the 2nd cheapest 1-bedroom apartment, city center in Oceania
Ride waves using a surfboard — ideal for coastal towns with steady swells
Cost of Living in Pago Pago - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Pago Pago compare in value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads when considering overall affordability?
Compared with many Pacific destinations, the Cost of Living in Pago Pago tends to feel approachable for travelers and longer stays that lean into local rhythms. You’ll find modest apartments and guesthouses that suit work-and-travel budgets, plus groceries and seafood sourced locally can keep day-to-day meals affordable when you cook at home. Dining out ranges from simple, communal spots to neighborhood eateries, with prices shaded by location and season. Utilities and internet are practical considerations, but you’ll often have options that help you balance work, leisure, and travel. The pace, safety, and strong community support add value beyond raw costs. Tip: Build a flexible schedule to take advantage of local markets and events.
What does a typical day look like for housing search, food options, transport, and errands in Pago Pago?
Daily life revolves around a walkable center near the harbor, with neighborhoods offering varying vibes. When housing search, target smaller apartments or shared homes; in most cases a bed, kitchen, and outside space matter more than size. Food options range from local markets with fresh fish to casual eateries where you can plate your own meals. For transport, walking, short taxi rides, or bicycles work well; some residents rent scooters for quick hops. Errands cluster around a few main streets, so map your essential services early. Pago Pago living cost varies with neighborhood and season, so anchor your expectations around a small set of areas. Tip: Choose a home with essential amenities to reduce daily trips.
What factors contribute to a good life balance in Pago Pago, and how can you budget for seasonal shifts and neighborhood fit?
To gauge quality of life and budget, use a simple framework: prioritize essentials, discretionary comforts, and a small safety cushion. Map neighborhoods by access to markets, beaches, and coworking spaces so you can walk or bike to daily needs. Seasonal shifts influence activity calendars, service hours, and the availability of fresh catches or produce, so adjust plans accordingly. For savings, lean on home cooking, shared spaces, and networked recommendations from locals or expats to find affordable services. Keep a flexible mindset; a slower pace can reduce stress and the cost of mistakes. Tip: Build a monthly planning routine to align activities with local markets and events.
What is the average cost of living in Pago Pago in 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Pago Pago come to around $1,457 including rent, or roughly $856 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
Is Pago Pago worth the cost of living?
At around $1,457 monthly all-in, Pago Pago offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
What is the average salary in Pago Pago?
The typical net salary in Pago Pago lands around $1,178 monthly. Some sectors pay significantly more, but this number gives you a realistic sense of what most full-time workers earn and how far it stretches against local costs.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Pago Pago?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Pago Pago range from $198 to $320, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
How expensive is a gym membership in Pago Pago?
A regular gym membership in Pago Pago costs around $49.91 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Pago Pago?
Expect to spend around $362 per month on groceries in Pago Pago. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Pago Pago?
Living on $1,000 in Pago Pago means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,457. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
Is Pago Pago a good place to live?
Living in Pago Pago means access to low crime rates, clean air, coastal lifestyle at about $1,457 per month including rent. It works for a wide range of budgets, and most residents find the lifestyle-to-cost balance appealing. Your experience will depend on priorities like climate, culture, and career.
Can you save money living in Pago Pago?
Monthly expenses in Pago Pago run around $1,457, so putting money aside takes more than $2,185 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.