Papua New Guinea vs Samoa
Samoa costs roughly 69% less than Papua New Guinea. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Samoa is approximately 69% less expensive than Papua New Guinea based on cost of living including rent. This makes Samoa a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Samoa has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 66.8, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Samoa is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Papua New Guinea
Skip this one if you need safety or reliable healthcare: a 22.3 safety index and Level 3 travel advisory rule out casual retirement. With no digital nomad visa and 10 Mbps internet, remote workers should also pass. Only suits those with PNG-specific business or mining ties who accept real risk.
$504/mo
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About Samoa
Internet speed data is unavailable, but and no retirement visa (digital nomad visa available) make Samoa a hard sell for anyone not already island-bound. Rent outside the center at $150/mo is unbeatable, and a $545/mo cost of living excluding rent keeps budgets thin, but with a complex path to residency and a 27% top income tax, this works only as a cheap, temporary escape, not a long-term base.
$2,105/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Papua New Guinea | Samoa |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 3: Reconsider Travel | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 69.7 | 109.6 +39.9 |
| Healthcare Index | 18.4 | 51.8 +33.4 |
| Safety Index | 22.3 | 66.8 +44.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 67.4 | 40 +27.4 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $812.5 | $545 +267.5 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,934.8 | $1,583 +1,351.8 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1,683.36 | $350 +1,333.36 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $663.66 | $150 +513.66 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2,473.84 | $700 +1,773.84 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,039.14 +118.1 | $1,157.24 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 10 Mbps +10.0 | 0 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Samoa. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
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Get a quote →Explore Samoa
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