Cost of living in Samoa compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Samoa is 53% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Samoa | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 15 Tala (40元) | 42元 | - 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 25 Tala (66元) | 36元 | + 81% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 10 Tala (26元) | 15元 | + 78% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 3.61 Tala (9元) | 14元 | - 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 10 Tala (26元) | 16元 | + 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 20 Tala (53元) | 11元 | + 404% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 23 Tala (60元) | 50元 | + 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.00 Tala (8元) | 16元 | - 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 8 Tala (21元) | 7元 | + 217% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.96 Tala (13元) | 7元 | + 95% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 39 Tala (103元) | 94元 | + 9% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 12 Tala (32元) | 9元 | + 266% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.68 Tala (4.42元) | 13元 | - 65% | |
| Housing | - 6% | |||
| Housing in Samoa is 6% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Samoa | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 4,299 Tala (11,307元) | 12,689元 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,929 Tala (5,073元) | 5,937元 | - 15% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 150 Tala (395元) | 450元 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | 6,875元 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 3,656元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | 296元 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 30 Tala (79元) | 100元 | - 21% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 899 Tala (2,364元) | 1,460元 | + 62% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | 553元 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 15 Tala (39元) | 43元 | - 8% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 55元 | - | |
| Clothes | + 63% | |||
| Clothes in Samoa is 63% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Samoa | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | 418元 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 300 Tala (789元) | 296元 | + 166% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 201 Tala (530元) | 553元 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | 705元 | - | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| Transportation in Samoa is about the same as in China | ||||
| Samoa | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 148,726元 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2.63 Tala (7元) | 8元 | - 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | 228元 | - | |
| Personal Care | - 37% | |||
| Personal Care in Samoa is 37% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Samoa | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3.00 Tala (8元) | 51元 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 10 Tala (26元) | 84元 | - 69% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 37 Tala (98元) | 114元 | - 14% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 16 Tala (42元) | 67元 | - 37% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 15 Tala (39元) | 57元 | - 31% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 9 Tala (24元) | 25元 | - 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 5.26 Tala (14元) | 7元 | + 99% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 4.00 Tala (11元) | 13元 | - 16% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 10 Tala (26元) | 85元 | - 69% | |
| Entertainment | + 6% | |||
| Entertainment in Samoa is 6% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Samoa | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 93 Tala (245元) | 178元 | + 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 32 Tala (83元) | 109元 | - 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,179元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 149 Tala (393元) | 320元 | + 23% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 15 Tala (39元) | 81元 | - 51% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 10 Tala (26元) | 28元 | - 5% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 7 Tala (19元) | 15元 | + 28% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,924元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.34元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | 414元 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 15 Tala (38元) | 25元 | + 53% | |
| TOTAL | + 7% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 767 prices entered by 118 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
2.630
CNY
/
WST
Cost of living in Samoa is 7% more expensive than in China
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