Cost of living in Samoa compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 27% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Samoa is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Samoa | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 15 Tala ($5.58) | $19 | - 70% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 25 Tala ($9) | $10 | - 9% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 10 Tala ($3.64) | $5.79 | - 37% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 3.61 Tala ($1.31) | $1.09 | + 20% | |
12 eggs, large | 10 Tala ($3.56) | $4.95 | - 28% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 20 Tala ($7) | $4.69 | + 57% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 23 Tala ($8) | $7 | + 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 13 Tala ($4.80) | $4.66 | + 3% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 8 Tala ($2.91) | $2.49 | + 17% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.96 Tala ($1.80) | $3.15 | - 43% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 39 Tala ($14) | $16 | - 11% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 12 Tala ($4.36) | $2.77 | + 57% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.68 Tala ($0.61) | $2.99 | - 80% | |
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 ($1,563) | $2,830 | - 45% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,929 Tala ($702) | $2,146 | - 67% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 150 Tala ($55) | $220 | - 75% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | $1,881 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,439 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | $145 | - | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 30 Tala ($11) | $64 | - 83% | |
40” flat screen tv | 899 Tala ($327) | $299 | + 9% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | $135 | - | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 15 Tala ($5.46) | $13 | - 60% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $32 | - | |
Clothes | + 70% | |||
Clothes in Samoa is 70% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Samoa | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | $54 | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 300 Tala ($109) | $45 | + 142% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 201 Tala ($73) | $93 | - 21% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | $119 | - | |
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 | - | $27,884 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2.63 Tala ($0.96) | $1.05 | - 9% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | - | $79 | - | |
Personal Care | - 64% | |||
Personal Care in Samoa is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Samoa | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3.00 Tala ($1.09) | $8 | - 87% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 10 Tala ($3.64) | $20 | - 82% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 37 Tala ($14) | $139 | - 90% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 16 Tala ($5.82) | $8 | - 31% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 15 Tala ($5.46) | $4.82 | + 13% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 9 Tala ($3.27) | $6 | - 48% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 5.26 Tala ($1.91) | $4.77 | - 60% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 4.00 Tala ($1.45) | $2.25 | - 35% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 10 Tala ($3.64) | $27 | - 87% | |
Entertainment | - 27% | |||
Entertainment in Samoa is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Samoa | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 93 Tala ($34) | $55 | - 39% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 32 Tala ($12) | $28 | - 58% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $195 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 149 Tala ($54) | $90 | - 40% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 15 Tala ($5.46) | $14 | - 60% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 10 Tala ($3.64) | $5.20 | - 30% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 7 Tala ($2.69) | $6 | - 57% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $552 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.21 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | - | $54 | - | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 15 Tala ($5.29) | $10 | - 47% | |
TOTAL | - 26% |

These prices were last updated on June 10, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.36369
USD
/
WST
Cost of living in Samoa is 26% cheaper than in United States
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