Samoa vs Tonga
Tonga costs roughly 5% less than Samoa. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Tonga is approximately 5% less expensive than Samoa based on cost of living including rent. This makes Tonga a more expensive 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 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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About Tonga
Tonga is best for FIRE & GeoArbitrage expats seeking extreme cost savings, with a 1BR outside center at just $50/month (sourced 2026). Its safety index of 68.2 and safety index of 68.2 make it one of the safest options in Oceania. However, the lack of a retirement or digital nomad visa and limited English-speaking doctors are significant drawbacks for long-term stays.
$1,438/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Samoa | Tonga |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 109.6 +12.4 | 97.2 |
| Healthcare Index | 51.8 | 59.5 +7.7 |
| Safety Index | 66.8 | 68.2 +1.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 40 | 38 +2.0 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $545 +394 | $939 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $1,583 +1,700 | $3,283 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $350 +272.99 | $622.99 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $150 | $50 +100 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $700 +130.65 | $830.65 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,157.24 | $575.64 +581.6 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 0 Mbps | 10 Mbps +10.0 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Tonga. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
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