Moving to Samoa from South Carolina

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from South Carolina to Samoa. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Apia averages 86°F vs 66°F in Columbia, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from South Carolina 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 South Carolina.

How's the healthcare?

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

share of adults with obesity

SC
35.4%
WS
47.3%

South Carolina 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

SC
87.0%
WS
78.0%

South Carolina 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

SC
4.9%
WS
9.8%
GDP per capita Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024

a broad measure of economic output per person

SC
$49,914
WS
$6,000

South Carolina 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

SC
74.8 yrs
WS
75.2 yrs

Samoa performs significantly better than South Carolina 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.

Columbia Rain: 46.3 in/yr (1175 mm)
66° / 46°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Columbia Apia
Jan–Mar 47°/28°F (8°/-2°C) 87°/75°F (31°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 76°/55°F (24°/13°C) 87°/74°F (30°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 86°/65°F (30°/18°C) 85°/73°F (30°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 55°/36°F (13°/2°C) 87°/74°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Columbia Apia
Jan 40°/22°F (4.3°/-5.3°C) 87°/75°F (30.4°/23.9°C)
Feb 45°/26°F (7.2°/-3.3°C) 87°/76°F (30.6°/24.2°C)
Mar 56°/35°F (13.3°/1.7°C) 87°/75°F (30.6°/24.0°C)
Apr 67°/46°F (19.3°/7.6°C) 87°/75°F (30.7°/23.8°C)
May 75°/55°F (24.0°/12.9°C) 87°/74°F (30.4°/23.4°C)
Jun 85°/65°F (29.2°/18.1°C) 86°/74°F (30.0°/23.2°C)
Jul 90°/69°F (32.0°/20.4°C) 85°/73°F (29.5°/22.6°C)
Aug 88°/67°F (31.3°/19.6°C) 85°/73°F (29.6°/22.8°C)
Sep 80°/58°F (26.6°/14.5°C) 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.1°C)
Oct 68°/47°F (20.0°/8.1°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.4°C)
Nov 55°/37°F (12.7°/2.6°C) 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.6°C)
Dec 42°/25°F (5.6°/-3.8°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 South Carolina and Samoa are what actually decide it long-term.

How is healthcare in Samoa compared to South Carolina?

South Carolina performs better than Samoa across all health & wellbeing metrics.

What's the weather like in Samoa compared to South Carolina?

The average high temperature in Apia is 86°F, compared to 66°F in Columbia. Apia receives around 116.7 in of rainfall per year, while Columbia gets 46.3 in.

What language do they speak in Samoa?

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

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At a Glance

WS
Population 4,625,364 206,179
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