MigrantoCost of living in Samoa
Average monthly spending, by standard of living and against other countries
Monthly cost
WST 874
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
WST 374richest 20%
WST 2,240
Samoa runs on a mix of what the islands produce and what arrives by sea, and that split shapes the cost of a life here. Homegrown staples and local hands stay affordable, while the imported part of the shopping list costs more. There's a real difference between how the comfortable and the just-getting-by live — more of a gap than some of its neighbors, if not a dramatic one.
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What it costs to live in Samoa
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Cost of living in Samoa
WST 374/mo
vs WST 2,170 in your country
Take-home
WST 1,010
vs WST 3,260 in your country
Potential savings
WST 637
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Samoa compare
Against both its region and the world, Samoa comes out middle of the road. The shape of its economy explains it: food and labor from the islands keep one side affordable, while imported goods cost whatever distance adds, and the country settles between them. For someone settling there, it's a level place — without the premium of the wealthier islands or the lowest prices of the cheapest.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank, regional estimate), price levels (income-anchored estimate), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Samoa?
A typical person in Samoa spends about WST 874 a month — around WST 10,500 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Samoa in US dollars?
The cost of living in Samoa is about $322 a month, or roughly $3,864 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Samoa?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about WST 374 a month per person, a typical one around WST 874, and a comfortable life around WST 1,230. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in Samoa enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about WST 874 a month, while the average take-home pay in Samoa is about WST 2,120. For more on incomes, see salaries in Samoa.
Is Samoa an expensive country to live in?
Somewhat. Samoa is more expensive than 47% of countries worldwide and ranks 5th of 11 in Oceania by cost of living.
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Living in Samoa
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