How Sao Tome and Principe compares across key indices
Cost of Living
60 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
76/100
Healthcare
50/100
Quality of Life
131/200
How far your money goes in Sao Tome and Principe
Cost of Living
60
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
45
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
60
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
63
100 = NYC dining
How safe residents feel in Sao Tome and Principe - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
76/100
Crime Index
13/100
Lower is better
0 point drop from day to night
Sao Tome and Principe has 1 city with Freedom Abroad estimates. São Tomé has the lowest estimated monthly cost at $1,341. São Tomé leads on safety, scoring 78/100. São Tomé ranks highest for quality of life at 134/200.
São Tomé
$1,341/mo
São Tomé
78/100
São Tomé
134/200
São Tomé
51/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| São Tomé | $1,341 | 78/100 | 134/200 | 51/100 | 50 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare system overview for Sao Tome and Principe
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Sao Tome and Principe
Pollution Index
55/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
27.3ug/m3
Unhealthy for sensitive
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Common questions about living in Sao Tome and Principe, answered with data
Sao Tome and Principe has a cost of living index of 60 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,341 in São Tomé.
Sao Tome and Principe has a safety index of 76/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, São Tomé scores highest on safety at 78/100.
São Tomé ranks highest for quality of life in Sao Tome and Principe, scoring 134/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $1,341/mo for a single person.
Sao Tome and Principe scores 50/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it adequate by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Yes. Sao Tome and Principe's cost of living is roughly 40% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 55% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
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Cost of living, safety, school, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates or verified public records modeled from open sources. Data sources
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