Cost of living in East Timor compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 22% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in East Timor is 22% cheaper than in United States | ||||
East Timor | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $10 | $17 | - 42% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 | $9 | - 12% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.00 | $5.06 | - 21% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.50 | $0.99 | + 52% | |
12 eggs, large | $3.80 | $3.32 | + 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $2.00 | $4.44 | - 55% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $10 | $7 | + 46% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.00 | $3.92 | - 23% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.00 | $1.94 | + 3% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.50 | $3.35 | - 25% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $10 | $16 | - 36% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.00 | $2.27 | - 12% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.00 | $2.45 | - 18% | |
Housing | + 59% | |||
Housing in East Timor is 59% more expensive than in United States | ||||
East Timor | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,500 | $2,513 | - 1% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,000 | $1,956 | + 2% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $1,000 | $204 | + 391% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $7,000 | $1,777 | + 294% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $500 | $1,346 | - 63% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $100 | $137 | - 27% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $25 | $57 | - 56% | |
40” flat screen tv | $300 | $302 | - 1% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $150 | $134 | + 12% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $7 | $12 | - 43% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $26 | - | |
Clothes | - 9% | |||
Clothes in East Timor is 9% cheaper than in United States | ||||
East Timor | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $100 | $51 | + 95% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $35 | $46 | - 24% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $70 | $92 | - 24% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $50 | $120 | - 58% | |
Transportation | - 53% | |||
Transportation in East Timor is 53% cheaper than in United States | ||||
East Timor | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $20,000 | $25,233 | - 21% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.04 | $1.06 | - 1% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $20 | $77 | - 73% | |
Personal Care | - 35% | |||
Personal Care in East Timor is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
East Timor | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 | $7 | + 7% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $15 | $19 | - 21% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $60 | $125 | - 52% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $5.00 | $7 | - 33% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.75 | $4.17 | - 10% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.00 | $5.50 | - 9% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.00 | $4.18 | - 52% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.00 | $2.05 | - 2% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $5.00 | $25 | - 80% | |
Entertainment | - 34% | |||
Entertainment in East Timor is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
East Timor | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $35 | $49 | - 28% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $10 | $27 | - 62% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $192 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $40 | $82 | - 51% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $10 | $13 | - 22% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.00 | $5.17 | - 3% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $3.00 | $6 | - 52% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $400 | $499 | - 20% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.10 | $0.17 | - 40% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $50 | $53 | - 6% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $1.50 | $9 | - 83% | |
TOTAL | - 0% |

These prices were last updated on May 17, 2022.
Cost of living in East Timor is about the same as in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Armenia is 58% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 12% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 52% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 38% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States
- Cost of living in Angola is 15% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 65% cheaper than in United States