Moving to Samoa from Iowa

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Iowa to Samoa? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Iowa to Samoa. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Apia averages 86°F vs 60°F in Des Moines, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Iowa to Samoa.

Living there in 2020
297 ↓ 6% vs 2015

people born in United States live in Samoa · UN DESA

Who's moving to Samoa?

Top countries of origin for Samoa's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Samoa compared to Iowa.

How's the healthcare?

Adult obesity rate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), 2022

share of adults with obesity

IA
38.7%
WS
47.3%

Iowa performs better than Samoa across all health & wellbeing metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Internet access US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), 2023

share of households with internet

IA
87.9%
WS
78.0%

Iowa performs better than Samoa across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

IA
3.3%
WS
9.8%
GDP per capita Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024

a broad measure of economic output per person

IA
$63,747
WS
$6,000

Iowa performs better than Samoa across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy OECD Regional Demography, 2022

average years of life at birth

IA
77.5 yrs
WS
75.2 yrs

Iowa performs better than Samoa across all family life metrics.

Data: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), OECD Regional Demography, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey)

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Des Moines Rain: 36.0 in/yr (915 mm)
60° / 41°F

Avg. annual high / low

Apia Rain: 116.7 in/yr (2965 mm)
86° / 74°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Des Moines Apia
Jan–Mar 39°/21°F (4°/-6°C) 87°/75°F (31°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 72°/52°F (22°/11°C) 87°/74°F (30°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 82°/62°F (28°/17°C) 85°/73°F (30°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 48°/31°F (9°/-1°C) 87°/74°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Des Moines Apia
Jan 31°/14°F (-0.6°/-9.8°C) 87°/75°F (30.4°/23.9°C)
Feb 36°/19°F (2.3°/-7.3°C) 87°/76°F (30.6°/24.2°C)
Mar 49°/30°F (9.4°/-1.3°C) 87°/75°F (30.6°/24.0°C)
Apr 62°/41°F (16.8°/5.1°C) 87°/75°F (30.7°/23.8°C)
May 72°/52°F (22.4°/11.2°C) 87°/74°F (30.4°/23.4°C)
Jun 82°/62°F (27.6°/16.7°C) 86°/74°F (30.0°/23.2°C)
Jul 86°/67°F (29.8°/19.3°C) 85°/73°F (29.5°/22.6°C)
Aug 84°/65°F (28.8°/18.2°C) 85°/73°F (29.6°/22.8°C)
Sep 76°/55°F (24.5°/12.9°C) 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.1°C)
Oct 63°/43°F (17.3°/6.1°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.4°C)
Nov 48°/31°F (8.8°/-0.8°C) 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.6°C)
Dec 34°/18°F (1.1°/-7.8°C) 87°/75°F (30.5°/23.8°C)

Data: National Weather Service National Weather Service

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between United States and Samoa. To live, work, or study long-term in Samoa, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Samoa's immigration authority.

United States passport

United States passport holder visiting Samoa

Visa on Arrival
United States passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Samoa.
Samoa passport

Samoa passport holder visiting United States

Visa Required
Samoa passport holders need a visa to enter United States.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Samoa?

From major Samoa cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in Iowa and Samoa are what actually decide it long-term.

How is healthcare in Samoa compared to Iowa?

Iowa performs better than Samoa across all health & wellbeing metrics.

What's the weather like in Samoa compared to Iowa?

The average high temperature in Apia is 86°F, compared to 60°F in Des Moines. Apia receives around 116.7 in of rainfall per year, while Des Moines gets 36.0 in.

What language do they speak in Samoa?

The official languages in Samoa are English and Samoan. In Iowa, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

WS
Population 3,046,355 206,179
Currency United States Dollar ($) Samoan Tala (WST)
Languages English English, Samoan
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +1 +685
Time zones 11 1
Emergency number 911