🇸🇹Cost of Living in São Tomé
São Tomé and Príncipe · Population: 80,000 · Cost Index: 30/100
Cost of Living in São Tomé
São Tomé and Príncipe · Africa
São Tomé is the capital and largest city of São Tomé and Príncipe, a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea off the western coast of Central Africa. The city retains charming Portuguese colonial architecture and serves as the hub for the country's cocoa-based economy and emerging ecotourism sector.
80,000
Population
30
Cost Index
55
Safety Index
38
Quality of Life
Average Monthly Cost: $620 (single person, excluding rent)
Cost Breakdown
Housing
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$300.001-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$170.003-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$550.003-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$320.00Food & Groceries
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$4.00Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$22.00McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$5.50Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.50Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$0.50Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.00Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$2.00Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$5.00Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$3.50Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.50Transportation
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$15.00One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$0.30Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$1.00Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.50Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.30Utilities
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$50.00Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$12.00Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$40.00Healthcare
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$12.00Dentist Visit(per visit)
$18.00Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$5.00Entertainment
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$25.00Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$4.00Cappuccino(per cup)
$2.00Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$2.00Clothing
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$40.00Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$22.00Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$60.00Compare São Tomé with another city
See how São Tomé stacks up against any other city in our database.
Quick Facts
- Currency
- STN
- Language
- Portuguese
- Cost Index
- 30/100
- Safety Index
- 55/100
- Quality of Life
- 38/100
Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.