Cost of living in Samoa compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Samoa is 12% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Samoa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 15 Tala (¥814) | ¥1,027 | - 21% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 25 Tala (¥1,327) | ¥808 | + 64% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 10 Tala (¥531) | ¥613 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 3.61 Tala (¥191) | ¥220 | - 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 10 Tala (¥520) | ¥323 | + 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 20 Tala (¥1,076) | ¥613 | + 76% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 23 Tala (¥1,221) | ¥1,107 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.00 Tala (¥159) | ¥766 | - 79% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 8 Tala (¥425) | ¥468 | - 9% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.96 Tala (¥263) | ¥304 | - 14% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 39 Tala (¥2,070) | ¥1,290 | + 60% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 12 Tala (¥637) | ¥218 | + 192% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.68 Tala (¥89) | ¥191 | - 53% | |
| Housing | - 28% | |||
| Housing in Samoa is 28% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Samoa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 4,299 Tala (¥228,139) | ¥365,082 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,929 Tala (¥102,364) | ¥197,136 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 150 Tala (¥7,960) | ¥19,132 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | ¥174,888 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥112,259 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | ¥12,528 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 30 Tala (¥1,592) | ¥4,254 | - 63% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 899 Tala (¥47,709) | ¥74,559 | - 36% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥25,414 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 15 Tala (¥796) | ¥1,338 | - 41% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
| Clothes | + 76% | |||
| Clothes in Samoa is 76% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Samoa | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | ¥8,708 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 300 Tala (¥15,921) | ¥5,103 | + 212% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 201 Tala (¥10,687) | ¥9,892 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ¥12,189 | - | |
| Transportation | - 3% | |||
| Transportation in Samoa is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Samoa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ¥3,079,890 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2.63 Tala (¥139) | ¥170 | - 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | ¥9,221 | - | |
| Personal Care | - 53% | |||
| Personal Care in Samoa is 53% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Samoa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3.00 Tala (¥159) | ¥2,133 | - 93% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 10 Tala (¥531) | ¥2,551 | - 79% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 37 Tala (¥1,981) | ¥6,000 | - 67% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 16 Tala (¥849) | ¥1,337 | - 37% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 15 Tala (¥796) | ¥930 | - 14% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 9 Tala (¥478) | ¥622 | - 23% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 5.26 Tala (¥279) | ¥224 | + 25% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 4.00 Tala (¥212) | ¥188 | + 13% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 10 Tala (¥531) | ¥4,604 | - 88% | |
| Entertainment | - 8% | |||
| Entertainment in Samoa is 8% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Samoa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 93 Tala (¥4,951) | ¥4,908 | + 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 32 Tala (¥1,684) | ¥3,873 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥7,212 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 149 Tala (¥7,924) | ¥8,269 | - 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 15 Tala (¥796) | ¥1,244 | - 36% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 10 Tala (¥531) | ¥547 | - 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 7 Tala (¥392) | ¥674 | - 42% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥51,659 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | ¥9,530 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 15 Tala (¥772) | ¥600 | + 29% | |
| TOTAL | - 12% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 471 prices entered by 105 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
53.069
JPY
/
WST
Cost of living in Samoa is 12% cheaper than in Japan
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