Cost of living in Northern Mariana Islands compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 1% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Northern Mariana Islands is about the same as in United States | ||||
Northern Mariana Islands | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $16 | $22 | - 27% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $11 | $12 | - 7% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $6.00 | $5.93 | + 1% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $3.00 | $1.09 | + 175% | |
12 eggs, large | $6 | $5.62 | + 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.18 | $4.83 | - 14% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 | $8 | - 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.00 | $4.23 | - 29% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $5.09 | $2.30 | + 121% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.66 | $3.70 | - 28% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 | $18 | - 13% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $5.26 | $2.94 | + 79% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.09 | $3.01 | + 3% | |
Housing | - 50% | |||
Housing in Northern Mariana Islands is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Northern Mariana Islands | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,444 | $3,070 | - 53% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $646 | $2,361 | - 73% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $211 | $237 | - 11% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $600 | $2,222 | - 73% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $389 | $1,628 | - 76% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $250 | $168 | + 49% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $40 | $62 | - 35% | |
40” flat screen tv | $700 | $251 | + 179% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $225 | $150 | + 50% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | $15 | - | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $28 | $34 | - 18% | |
Clothes | - 12% | |||
Clothes in Northern Mariana Islands is 12% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Northern Mariana Islands | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $37 | $58 | - 36% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 | $49 | + 0% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $117 | $106 | + 10% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $100 | $141 | - 29% | |
Transportation | - 3% | |||
Transportation in Northern Mariana Islands is about the same as in United States | ||||
Northern Mariana Islands | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,000 | $30,916 | - 13% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.49 | $0.93 | + 60% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $78 | $85 | - 8% | |
Personal Care | + 6% | |||
Personal Care in Northern Mariana Islands is 6% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Northern Mariana Islands | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 | $10 | - 31% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $60 | $24 | + 145% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $75 | $167 | - 55% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $4.00 | $10 | - 59% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $9 | $5.29 | + 65% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.00 | $7 | - 30% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.50 | $5.05 | - 11% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $5.25 | $2.37 | + 122% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $13 | $31 | - 59% | |
Entertainment | - 31% | |||
Entertainment in Northern Mariana Islands is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Northern Mariana Islands | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $30 | $61 | - 51% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $17 | $31 | - 44% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $234 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $64 | $104 | - 38% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $7 | $15 | - 54% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.93 | $6 | - 2% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6.00 | $8 | - 21% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $110 | $464 | - 76% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.52 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $80 | $70 | + 14% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 | $11 | - 26% | |
TOTAL | - 23% |

These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Cost of living in Northern Mariana Islands is 23% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Andorra is 18% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 28% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 41% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 24% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 62% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 10% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Albania is 55% cheaper than in United States