Moving to Samoa from Virginia

moving to

What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Virginia to Samoa — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Virginia to Samoa. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Apia averages 86°F vs 70°F in Richmond, making it significantly warmer.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

Get free moving quotes to Samoa

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Virginia to Samoa, based on official data.

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

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Virginia to Samoa.

How's the healthcare?

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

share of adults with obesity

VA
35.3%
WS
47.3%

Virginia 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

VA
90.1%
WS
78.0%

Virginia 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

VA
3.4%
WS
9.8%
GDP per capita Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024

a broad measure of economic output per person

VA
$69,111
WS
$6,000

Virginia 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

VA
77.6 yrs
WS
75.2 yrs

Virginia 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.

Richmond Rain: 43.6 in/yr (1108 mm)
70° / 48°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Richmond Apia
Jan–Mar 53°/32°F (12°/0°C) 87°/75°F (31°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 78°/55°F (26°/13°C) 87°/74°F (30°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 86°/65°F (30°/19°C) 85°/73°F (30°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 61°/39°F (16°/4°C) 87°/74°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Richmond Apia
Jan 47°/28°F (8.6°/-2.1°C) 87°/75°F (30.4°/23.9°C)
Feb 51°/31°F (10.7°/-0.8°C) 87°/76°F (30.6°/24.2°C)
Mar 60°/37°F (15.6°/2.8°C) 87°/75°F (30.6°/24.0°C)
Apr 70°/46°F (21.3°/7.8°C) 87°/75°F (30.7°/23.8°C)
May 78°/55°F (25.5°/12.8°C) 87°/74°F (30.4°/23.4°C)
Jun 86°/65°F (30.1°/18.1°C) 86°/74°F (30.0°/23.2°C)
Jul 90°/69°F (32.1°/20.5°C) 85°/73°F (29.5°/22.6°C)
Aug 88°/67°F (30.9°/19.7°C) 85°/73°F (29.6°/22.8°C)
Sep 81°/60°F (27.3°/15.6°C) 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.1°C)
Oct 71°/48°F (21.7°/9.1°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.4°C)
Nov 61°/39°F (16.3°/4.1°C) 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.6°C)
Dec 51°/31°F (10.4°/-0.3°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?

Usually fine from major cities in Samoa. The harder questions are legal — digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

How is healthcare in Samoa compared to Virginia?

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

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

The average high temperature in Apia is 86°F, compared to 70°F in Richmond. Apia receives around 116.7 in of rainfall per year, while Richmond gets 43.6 in.

What language do they speak in Samoa?

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

Share this

At a Glance

WS
Population 8,001,024 206,179
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