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Cost of Living in São Tomé

São Tomé, Água Grande, São Tomé and Príncipe · Population 65,468 · National capital

▲ +24% vs São Tomé and Príncipe average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)Db10,853 ($482)
Couple, monthlyDb19,329 ($859)
Family of four, monthlyDb25,061 ($1,114)

Estimated Prices in São Tomé

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantDb114 ($5.07)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeDb456 ($20.28)per meal
CappuccinoDb34.22 ($1.52)each
Monthly groceries (single person)Db2,586 ($115)per month
Monthly public transport passDb418 ($18.59)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentDb1,103 ($49.01)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)Db319 ($14.20)per month
Fitness club membershipDb319 ($14.20)per month
Cinema ticketDb83.66 ($3.72)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreDb4,669 ($208)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreDb3,248 ($144)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreDb9,745 ($433)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in São Tomé is Db7,313 ($325) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of Db10,853 ($482) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly Db14,109 ($627) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (Db3,248 ($144)) represents about 30% of the total single-person budget.

Compare São Tomé

São Tomé vs NevesSão Tomé vs SantanaSão Tomé vs São João dos AngolaresSão Tomé vs TrindadeSão Tomé vs GuadalupeSão Tomé vs Santo António

Nearby Cities

Trindade

8 km away · Mé-Zóchi

Santana

9 km away · Cantagalo

Guadalupe

11 km away · Lobata

Neves

20 km away · Lembá

São João dos Angolares

24 km away · Caué

Santo António

164 km away · Príncipe

Living in São Tomé

São Tomé is the capital and one of the key cities in São Tomé and Príncipe. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is Db10,853 ($482), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around Db3,248 ($144) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to Db25,061 ($1,114) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately Db19,329 ($859) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in São Tomé is Db7,313 ($325). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least Db14,109 ($627) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is São Tomé expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated Db10,853 ($482) per month in São Tomé including rent outside the city centre. That is 24% more than the national average for São Tomé and Príncipe.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in São Tomé?
A net salary of around Db14,109 ($627) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in São Tomé with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in São Tomé is Db7,313 ($325).
How much is rent in São Tomé?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated Db4,669 ($208) per month in the city centre and Db3,248 ($144) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about Db9,745 ($433).
Is São Tomé cheaper than São Tomé and Príncipe on average?
No — São Tomé is estimated to be about 24% more expensive than the São Tomé and Príncipe average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in São Tomé?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at Db2,586 ($115) in São Tomé. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about Db114 ($5) and a cappuccino runs around Db34 ($2).
How do transport costs in São Tomé compare?
A monthly public transport pass in São Tomé is estimated at Db418 ($19). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for São Tomé are estimates based on São Tomé and Príncipe national averages adjusted for city size (population 65,468) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.