Cost of living in Samoa compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 33% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Samoa is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Samoa | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 15 Tala ($5.92) | $21 | - 72% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 25 Tala ($10) | $12 | - 20% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 10 Tala ($3.86) | $5.96 | - 35% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 3.61 Tala ($1.39) | $1.10 | + 27% | |
12 eggs, large | 10 Tala ($3.78) | $5.70 | - 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 20 Tala ($8) | $4.85 | + 61% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 23 Tala ($9) | $8 | + 12% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.00 Tala ($1.16) | $4.19 | - 72% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 8 Tala ($3.09) | $2.25 | + 37% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.96 Tala ($1.91) | $3.95 | - 51% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 39 Tala ($15) | $18 | - 17% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 12 Tala ($4.63) | $3.01 | + 54% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.68 Tala ($0.65) | $3.00 | - 78% | |
Housing | - 40% | |||
Housing in Samoa is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Samoa | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 4,299 Tala ($1,659) | $3,007 | - 45% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,929 Tala ($744) | $2,316 | - 68% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 150 Tala ($58) | $242 | - 76% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | $2,215 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,632 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | $170 | - | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 30 Tala ($12) | $61 | - 81% | |
40” flat screen tv | 899 Tala ($347) | $252 | + 38% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | $147 | - | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 15 Tala ($5.79) | $15 | - 62% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $34 | - | |
Clothes | + 50% | |||
Clothes in Samoa is 50% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Samoa | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | $58 | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 300 Tala ($116) | $49 | + 135% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 201 Tala ($78) | $106 | - 26% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | $139 | - | |
Transportation | + 1% | |||
Transportation in Samoa is about the same as in United States | ||||
Samoa | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $31,214 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2.63 Tala ($1.01) | $0.93 | + 9% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | - | $86 | - | |
Personal Care | - 67% | |||
Personal Care in Samoa is 67% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Samoa | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3.00 Tala ($1.16) | $10 | - 88% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 10 Tala ($3.86) | $25 | - 84% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 37 Tala ($14) | $172 | - 92% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 16 Tala ($6) | $10 | - 36% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 15 Tala ($5.79) | $5.40 | + 7% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 9 Tala ($3.47) | $7 | - 53% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 5.26 Tala ($2.03) | $5.20 | - 61% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 4.00 Tala ($1.54) | $2.44 | - 37% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 10 Tala ($3.86) | $32 | - 88% | |
Entertainment | - 31% | |||
Entertainment in Samoa is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Samoa | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 93 Tala ($36) | $61 | - 41% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 32 Tala ($12) | $31 | - 60% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $248 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 149 Tala ($58) | $105 | - 45% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 15 Tala ($5.79) | $15 | - 62% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 10 Tala ($3.86) | $6 | - 36% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 7 Tala ($2.85) | $8 | - 62% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $458 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.52 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | - | $71 | - | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 15 Tala ($5.61) | $11 | - 50% | |
TOTAL | - 32% |

These prices were last updated on July 07, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.38580
USD
/
WST
Cost of living in Samoa is 32% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Albania is 54% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 43% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 16% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 10% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is 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 Angola is 61% cheaper than in United States