Cost of Living in Samoa (2026)

COL Index: 40% of U.S. national average · Updated for 2026

Cost of Living Index

40%

vs U.S. average (100%)

Relative Cost

Very Low

Compared to U.S.

Currency

WST

Salary Data

10 Jobs

Top 10 highest paying

Top 10 Jobs in Samoa — COL-Adjusted Salaries

Rank	Job Title	Local Salary	COL-Adjusted (WST)
1	Surgeons / Doctors	6,403–20,943 WST/mo	16,008–52,357 WST/mo
2	Judges	5,380–17,608 WST/mo	13,450–44,019 WST/mo
3	Lawyers	4,358–14,273 WST/mo	10,896–35,681 WST/mo
4	Bank Managers	4,104–13,428 WST/mo	10,260–33,569 WST/mo
5	Chief Executive Officers	3,846–12,584 WST/mo	9,614–31,460 WST/mo
6	Chief Financial Officers	3,588–11,739 WST/mo	8,971–29,348 WST/mo
7	Orthodontists	3,459–11,339 WST/mo	8,649–28,347 WST/mo
8	College Professors	3,077–10,049 WST/mo	7,692–25,121 WST/mo
9	Pilots	2,566–8,404 WST/mo	6,416–21,010 WST/mo
10	Marketing Directors	2,308–7,559 WST/mo	5,770–18,898 WST/mo

* COL-adjusted salary is shown in WST, restated at the purchasing power implied by the cost of living index for Samoa.

Salary vs. Cost of Living by Category in Samoa

Category	Avg. Salary (Local)	COL-Adjusted (WST)	Purchasing Power
AI & Machine Learning	6,163 WST	15,408 WST	+150%
Finance & Accounting	6,092 WST	15,230 WST	+150%
Business Administration	6,790 WST	16,973 WST	+150%
Advertising	5,161 WST	12,900 WST	+150%
Architecture	5,236 WST	13,090 WST	+150%
Automotive & Car Industry	5,048 WST	12,620 WST	+150%
Aviation	6,216 WST	15,540 WST	+150%
Banking	7,301 WST	18,252 WST	+150%
Construction	4,996 WST	12,491 WST	+150%
Counseling	4,976 WST	12,441 WST	+150%
Customer Service	4,001 WST	10,005 WST	+150%
Education & Teaching	5,226 WST	13,063 WST	+150%
Energy	5,678 WST	14,196 WST	+150%
Engineering	4,766 WST	11,916 WST	+150%
Manufacturing	5,447 WST	13,618 WST	+150%
Fitness & Sports	3,624 WST	9,059 WST	+150%
Hospitality	5,182 WST	12,955 WST	+150%
Healthcare	13,486 WST	33,715 WST	+150%
Human Resources	5,035 WST	12,590 WST	+150%
Import & Export	3,912 WST	9,782 WST	+150%
Insurance	5,665 WST	14,163 WST	+150%
Information Technology	5,131 WST	12,829 WST	+150%
Law & Legal Services	7,950 WST	19,877 WST	+150%
Marketing	5,585 WST	13,962 WST	+150%
Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology	7,195 WST	17,988 WST	+150%
Public Relations	4,678 WST	11,693 WST	+150%
Procurement	5,166 WST	12,917 WST	+150%
Quality Control	4,535 WST	11,338 WST	+150%
Real Estate	6,007 WST	15,018 WST	+150%
Sales	6,087 WST	15,219 WST	+150%
Telecommunications	4,528 WST	11,319 WST	+150%

Cost of Living in Samoa — Overview

The cost of living in Samoa is 40% of the U.S. national average. This makes Samoa a more affordable destination compared to the United States. Your salary goes further here, especially for housing, food, and services.

Purchasing Power in Samoa

A salary with the purchasing power of the U.S. national average works out at approximately 687,500 WST in Samoa for the same standard of living. This means your money goes further in Samoa, making it an attractive destination for remote workers and expats.

Cost of Living Categories in Samoa

Housing

Housing in countries with a cost index of 40% tends to be the largest expense, often consuming 30-40% of income. Rent, utilities, and property costs vary significantly between urban and rural areas.

Food

Groceries and dining out in countries at 40% COL can vary widely. Local markets offer lower prices while imported goods cost more. Cooking at home is generally more affordable.

Transportation

Public transit and fuel costs in a 40% COL country. Many countries have efficient public transportation systems that reduce the need for personal vehicles.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs and insurance in 40% COL countries. Some countries have universal healthcare systems that significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Education

Education and childcare costs vary greatly with COL index. Public education is often subsidized while international schools charge premium fees.

Utilities

Electricity, water, internet, and other essential services. Weather patterns affect utility usage and costs significantly.

Clothing

Apparel costs in 40% COL environments. Imported brands cost more while local clothing is generally affordable.

Entertainment

Leisure activities and entertainment expenses. Costs for cinema, dining, and recreational activities scale with the overall COL index.

Salary Overview — Top 10 Jobs

Monthly salary in WST · singhyogendra.com.np

Surgeons / Doctors6,403 – 20,94313,673 WST
Judges5,380 – 17,60811,494 WST
Lawyers4,358 – 14,2739,316 WST
Bank Managers4,104 – 13,4288,766 WST
Chief Executive Officers3,846 – 12,5848,215 WST
Chief Financial Officers3,588 – 11,7397,664 WST
Orthodontists3,459 – 11,3397,399 WST
College Professors3,077 – 10,0496,563 WST
Pilots2,566 – 8,4045,485 WST
Marketing Directors2,308 – 7,5594,934 WST

singhyogendra.com.np

Top Paying Jobs in Samoa

See the full list of highest paying careers and salaries in Samoa.

Best Paying Jobs in Samoa

Take-Home Pay in Samoa

Estimate your after-tax salary and see how much you keep after deductions in Samoa.

Take-Home Pay in Samoa

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Samoa?

The cost of living in Samoa is 40% of the U.S. national average. This means it is less expensive than living in the average U.S. city.

How is the cost of living in Samoa calculated?

The cost of living index is based on prices for housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other goods and services compared to the U.S. national average of 100.

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Samoa?

Salaries in Samoa should be adjusted by the cost of living index to keep the same purchasing power. A salary equivalent to the U.S. national average corresponds to roughly 687,500 WST in Samoa.