Capital city in Água Grande, Sao Tome and Principe
Cost of living in São Tomé
How much a month costs in São Tomé
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,010–1,840 (Db22,000–40,000).
Prices in São Tomé
Typical 2026 ranges in STN, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | STN | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | Db10,000–28,000 | $459–1,290 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | Db5,000–12,000 | $230–551 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | Db1,500–3,500 | $69–161 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | Db70–200 | $3.2–9.2 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | Db250–600 | $11–28 |
| Cappuccino | Db25–60 | $1.1–2.8 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | Db30–70 | $1.4–3.2 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | Db5–20 | $0.23–0.92 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | Db60–150 | $2.8–6.9 |
Value for money: 65/100
A value score of 65/100 means São Tomé gives more quality of life per dollar than 64% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 61/100.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cheaper alternatives to São Tomé
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in São Tomé?
About $367–643 on a lean budget, $1,010–1,840 for a comfortable month and $2,300–4,130 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in São Tomé?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs Db10,000–28,000 ($459–1,290) a month in the center and Db5,000–12,000 ($230–551) outside it.
How much does food cost in São Tomé?
A local meal is Db70–200 ($3.2–9.2); a mid-range restaurant is Db250–600 ($11–28) per person.
Is Sao Tome and Principe expensive?
Prices in Sao Tome and Principe are about 61% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about São Tomé
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.