Last update: Nov 2026 204.3K

Cost of Living in Sao Tome and Principe

Name: Sao Tome and Principe
Address: ST

Across Sao Tome and Principe, living costs for one person average $1,204 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $26 a day.

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🇸🇹 Sao Tome and Principe

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Sao Tome and Principe

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Sao Tome and Principe actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $1,204 per month with rent on average in Sao Tome and Principe.

$1,204 /mo

A couple spends around $1,889 per month with rent on average in Sao Tome and Principe.

$1,889 /mo

A family of three spends around $2,574 per month with rent on average in Sao Tome and Principe.

$2,574 /mo

Across 2 cities in Sao Tome and Principe, monthly living costs range from $199 to $1,202 – a $1,003 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.06 STN 199

$6.94 STN 153

$28.30 STN 623

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.54 STN 980

$37.54 STN 826

$55.7 STN 1,225

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.26 STN 182

$5.55 STN 122

$10.97 STN 241

Cappuccino

$2.30 STN 50.6

$2.19 STN 48.27

$2.46 STN 54.1

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

$1.73 STN 38.00

$1.55 STN 34.16

$2.17 STN 47.82

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.12 STN 24.72

$0.85 STN 18.71

$1.39 STN 30.51

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.76 STN 38.62

$1.57 STN 34.52

$2.20 STN 48.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.86 STN 41.00

$1.85 STN 40.78

$2.05 STN 45.04

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 STN 33.86

$1.36 STN 29.93

$1.67 STN 36.70

White Bread (500g)

$1.45 STN 31.84

$0.88 STN 19.44

$2.04 STN 44.87

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.06 STN 45.28

$1.08 STN 23.77

$2.88 STN 63.4

Eggs

$4.48 STN 98.6

$2.27 STN 49.98

$5.16 STN 113

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.77 STN 457

$18.99 STN 418

$22.54 STN 496

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.83 STN 370

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$21.19 STN 466

$10.22 STN 225

$28.46 STN 626

Apples (1kg)

$3.92 STN 86.3

$2.27 STN 49.93

$5.56 STN 122

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 STN 38.94

$1.14 STN 25.07

$2.79 STN 61.3

Oranges (1kg)

$3.78 STN 83.2

$3.02 STN 66.4

$4.55 STN 100

Tomato (1kg)

$3.84 STN 84.5

$3.71 STN 81.6

$3.97 STN 87.4

Potato (1kg)

$3.16 STN 69.5

$2.74 STN 60.3

$3.58 STN 78.8

Onion (1kg)

$3.07 STN 67.5

$2.86 STN 63.0

$3.27 STN 72.0

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.53 STN 11.73

$0.24 STN 5.29

$0.82 STN 17.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 STN 45.97

$0.94 STN 20.61

$3.46 STN 76.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.23 STN 48.98

$2.21 STN 48.55

$2.25 STN 49.41

Wine (Bottle)

$6.94 STN 153

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.57 STN 34.49

$1.15 STN 25.25

$1.64 STN 36.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.68 STN 36.98

$1.59 STN 34.97

$1.85 STN 40.77

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.35 STN 29.77

$1.02 STN 22.38

$1.35 STN 29.77

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.72 STN 37.89

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.63 STN 57.8

$1.86 STN 40.85

$3.41 STN 75.0

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.90 STN 306

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.65 STN 36.34

$1.33 STN 29.29

$1.77 STN 38.91

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

$24.5K STN 538.1K

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

$31.5K STN 691.9K

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

$227 STN 4,989

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

$31.02 STN 682

$20.36 STN 448

$38.77 STN 853

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 STN 1,484

$63.2 STN 1,391

$70.0 STN 1,540

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.31 STN 755

$32.38 STN 712

$36.25 STN 797

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$25.44 STN 560

$22.87 STN 503

$28.00 STN 616

Cinema Ticket

$19.79 STN 435

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

$224 STN 4,934

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,175 STN 47.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$76.3 STN 1,677

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$18.12 STN 399

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$286 STN 6,298

$184 STN 4,043

$338 STN 7,426

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$195 STN 4,294

$137 STN 3,021

$224 STN 4,931

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$921 STN 20.3K

$443 STN 9,757

$1,663 STN 36.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$437 STN 9,616

$316 STN 6,954

$663 STN 14.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,852 STN 40.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,131 STN 24.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$443 STN 9,748

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.38

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

Last update: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Sao Tome and Principe $1,204

Groceries & Markets

$399 33.1%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$325 27%

Accommodation & Living

$195 16.2%

Eating Out

$149 12.4%

Sport & Entertainment

$74 6.1%

Clothing & Footwear

$42 * 3.5%

Getting Around

$20 * 1.7%

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Sao Tome and Principe is $256 – below average monthly costs of $1,204. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $265 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $41.

Most affordable: Porto Alegre at $199 per month. The capital, Sao Tome, sits at $1,202. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $1,003 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($1,204) is 11% below the global median of $1,352.

Average rent ($285) is 57% below the global median of $664.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

19:56 7:56 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

204,327

💱 Currency

Sao Tome and Principe Dobra STN Db

📈 Exchange rate

100 STN = 4.55 USD

100 STN = 4.08 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

By City in Sao Tome and Principe

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Porto Alegre	795		$199	$199	$625	$625	199.81	12.68
2	Sao Tome	53300	57	$775	$1,202	$1,895	$2,567	83.32	22.37

Sao Tome and Principe Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Sao Tome and Principe - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Sao Tome And Principe varies by lifestyle, but many find it reasonable if you focus on local goods and simple comforts. Local produce and seafood can keep daily meals affordable, while imported items and Western brands push the bill higher - especially in tourist pockets. Housing can be affordable outside the main hubs, and longer leases often offer better value; public transport or bicycles reduce ongoing costs. For a first stay, plan around local routines, test internet access, and stay flexible with weekly groceries and meals. Tip: start with a simple monthly budget that prioritizes local essentials.

Daily life centers on a relaxed tempo with easy access to markets and beaches. Housing search focuses on central neighborhoods for convenience, with a range from compact apartments to small houses; expect some negotiation and checks for water, electricity, and internet stability. Food comes from vibrant markets and seaside eateries: fresh fruit, fish, cassava, and greens can keep meals economical when you cook at home. Transport options include short taxi hops, shared minibuses, and bike rides; coworking spaces exist, but internet reliability can vary by location. Sao Tome And Principe living cost leans toward affordability for local purchases, with imports lifting bills in certain areas. Tip: test connectivity and have a backup plan for power.

Quality of life rises when you balance simple routines with practical planning. Use a budgeting framework that separates housing, utilities, groceries, transport, and discretionary expenses, then reassess monthly. Expect seasonality in produce and travel options, so adapt menus and trips accordingly. Neighborhood fit matters: central districts offer quick access to services and coworking, while coastal or rural areas deliver steadier pace and often lower rents. Smart saving comes from cooking at home, buying locally, and choosing accommodations with reliable power and water. Tip: keep a small emergency fund and rotate through a few neighborhood bases to reduce long-term costs.

In 2026, monthly costs in Sao Tome and Principe range from $199 in the most affordable city to $1,202 in the most expensive one. Where you choose to live makes a dramatic difference – the gap between cheapest and most expensive cities is huge.

Living costs across Sao Tome and Principe vary hugely by location. In 2026, monthly expenses range from $199 in affordable regions to $1,202 in major cities.

Rent in Sao Tome and Principe varies a lot – Sao Tome has the highest prices, and other cities are usually cheaper. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make.

In regional cities, $1,000 is plenty. In Sao Tome? You’ll need to plan carefully, especially around housing. Shared apartments or outer neighborhoods are the usual workarounds.