Cost of Living: South Sudan vs United States

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between South Sudan and United States.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in South Sudan is 114.2% more expensive than United States. The biggest difference is in Sports And Leisure, where costs are 657.2% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in United States, you would spend about $214 in South Sudan for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Sports And Leisure 657.2%

South Sudan is 657.2% more expensive

Rent Per Month 130.9%

South Sudan is 130.9% more expensive

Transportation 81.6%

South Sudan is 81.6% more expensive

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 114.2%

South Sudan is 114.2% more expensive than United States

Most Expensive Categories

  • Sports And Leisure +657.2%
  • Rent Per Month +130.9%
  • Transportation +81.6%

Is South Sudan cheaper than United States?

No, United States is cheaper than South Sudan

Overall, living costs in United States are 114.2% lower than in South Sudan.

Where United States is cheaper:

  • Sports And Leisure 657.2% cheaper
  • Rent Per Month 130.9% cheaper
  • Transportation 81.6% cheaper

Where United States is more expensive:

  • Property Prices 71.8% more expensive
  • Salaries And Financing 53.1% more expensive
  • Restaurants 42.3% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

South Sudan: 5.00 $ United States: 20.00 $
75.0% cheaper in South Sudan

1-bedroom apartment in city center

South Sudan: 3,500.00 $ United States: 1,746.65 $
100.4% more expensive in South Sudan

1 liter of gasoline

South Sudan: 1.50 $ United States: 0.93 $
61.3% more expensive in South Sudan

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, United States is indeed cheaper than South Sudan. You would spend approximately 114.2% on living expenses by choosing United States over South Sudan. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

114.2%

South Sudan is 114.2% more expensive than United States

Restaurants

42.3%

South Sudan is 42.3% cheaper than United States in this category

Markets

24.8%

South Sudan is 24.8% cheaper than United States in this category

Transportation

81.6%

South Sudan is 81.6% more expensive than United States in this category

Mobile and Internet

39.5%

South Sudan is 39.5% more expensive than United States in this category

Sports And Leisure

657.2%

South Sudan is 657.2% more expensive than United States in this category

Childcare

39.3%

South Sudan is 39.3% cheaper than United States in this category

Rent Per Month

130.9%

South Sudan is 130.9% more expensive than United States in this category

Property Prices

71.8%

South Sudan is 71.8% cheaper than United States in this category

Salaries And Financing

53.1%

South Sudan is 53.1% cheaper than United States in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item South Sudan United States Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 5.00 $ 20.00 $ 75.0%
South Sudan is 75.0% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 47.50 $ 75.00 $ 36.7%
South Sudan is 36.7% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 7.00 $ 11.50 $ 39.1%
South Sudan is 39.1% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino ? 5.24 $ N/A
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.00 $ 2.56 $ 60.9%
South Sudan is 60.9% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) ? 2.09 $ N/A
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.50 $ 2.23 $ 77.6%
South Sudan is 77.6% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 5.69 $ 4.38 $ 29.9%
South Sudan is 29.9% more expensive
Milk (1L) ? 1.06 $ N/A
Fresh Bread (500g) ? 3.63 $ N/A
White Rice (1kg) ? 4.61 $ N/A
Eggs (12 pack) 2.10 $ 4.29 $ 51.0%
South Sudan is 51.0% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 7.33 $ 12.93 $ 43.3%
South Sudan is 43.3% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 5.33 $ 12.20 $ 56.3%
South Sudan is 56.3% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 15.48 $ 10.78 $ 43.6%
South Sudan is 43.6% more expensive
Apples (1kg) ? 5.28 $ N/A
Bananas (1kg) ? 1.68 $ N/A
Oranges (1kg) ? 4.50 $ N/A
Tomatoes (1kg) ? 4.91 $ N/A
Potatoes (1kg) ? 2.94 $ N/A
Onions (1kg) ? 3.08 $ N/A
Lettuce (1 head) ? 2.20 $ N/A
Monthly Transit Pass ? 65.00 $ N/A
Cigarettes (20 pack) ? 10.00 $ N/A
Single Bus/Train Ticket ? 2.50 $ N/A
Taxi Base Fare 7.00 $ 3.75 $ 86.7%
South Sudan is 86.7% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer ? 1.74 $ N/A
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate ? 30.00 $ N/A
Gasoline (1L) 1.50 $ 0.93 $ 61.3%
South Sudan is 61.3% more expensive
New Economy Car ? 30,000.00 $ N/A
New Mid-Range Car ? 25,982.09 $ N/A
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) ? 208.61 $ N/A
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data ? 57.38 $ N/A
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 100.00 $ 71.66 $ 39.5%
South Sudan is 39.5% more expensive
Gym Membership 350.00 $ 46.22 $ 657.2%
South Sudan is 657.2% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) ? 21.94 $ N/A
Movie Ticket ? 14.44 $ N/A
Private Preschool (Full Day) 833.33 $ 1,372.78 $ 39.3%
South Sudan is 39.3% cheaper
International School (Yearly) ? 22,512.19 $ N/A
1 Pair of Jeans ? 52.18 $ N/A
1 Summer Dress ? 42.56 $ N/A
1 Pair of Running Shoes ? 89.93 $ N/A
1 Pair of Business Shoes ? 113.60 $ N/A
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 3,500.00 $ 1,746.65 $ 100.4%
South Sudan is 100.4% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 2,700.00 $ 1,440.62 $ 87.4%
South Sudan is 87.4% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 12,101.00 $ 2,896.11 $ 317.8%
South Sudan is 317.8% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,300.00 $ 2,403.74 $ 45.9%
South Sudan is 45.9% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 1,080.00 $ 3,233.83 $ 66.6%
South Sudan is 66.6% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 600.00 $ 2,715.21 $ 77.9%
South Sudan is 77.9% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 2,023.33 $ 4,329.01 $ 53.3%
South Sudan is 53.3% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 8.85 6.51 35.9%
South Sudan is 35.9% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to United States. Enter your monthly expenses in South Sudan to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between South Sudan and United States goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for South Sudan vs United States

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

South Sudan