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U.S. Territory

American Samoa

D+15  ·  Low tax burden  ·  COL index 110

A+

30%

Income Tax

Notable

American Samoa has its own independent tax system and is the only U.S. territory whose residents are U.S. nationals but not automatic U.S. citizens. Distinct legal and tax framework.

State Profile

61/100
255075100TAXES94SAFETY50HEALTH50SCHOOLS50AFFORDABLE69LONGEVITY50

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Taxes

Income Tax

American Samoa has its own income tax code, not a mirror of the federal code. Top rate 30%.

30% top

Property Tax

0.5% / yr

Sales Tax

None

Social Security

Exempt

Pension / IRA

Partial

Estate Tax

None

Inheritance Tax

None

Capital Gains

Taxed as income

Housing & Cost of Living

Cost of Living Index

National avg = 100

110

Politics & Gun Laws

2024 Presidential Vote

D+15

Gun Laws

Gun ControlB
2A LibertyD

Carry Permit

May-issue

Purchase Permit Required

Yes

Jobs & Economy

Job Market

-1% job growth · 12% unemployment

Weak

Top Industries

GovernmentFishingCanneries

Tech Jobs

#50 of 50

Healthcare Jobs

#50 of 50

Remote Work

5% of workers

Median Household Income

$18,000

Daily Life

Consumer Fireworks

Check local ordinances

Restricted

Weather & Natural Risks

Winter Severity

Avg January high: 83°F

Very Mild

Summer Heat

Moderate summers

86°F avg July

Annual Rainfall

125" / yr

Tornado Risk

Very Low

Hurricane Risk

Low

Wildfire Risk

Very Low

Flood Risk

Low

Natural Hazards

23LOW danger
Tropical cyclone seasonRemote location, limited emergency response

Venomous Snakes

Low

Spider Hazard

Low

Hurricane Risk

Moderate

Tornado Risk

Minimal

Wildfire Risk

Minimal

Earthquake Risk

Moderate

Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗

Veteran Benefits

Veteran-Friendly Score

6.5% of state population are veterans

20/100

Property Tax Exemption

Partial exemption for service-connected disability

Disability Only

Military Retirement Pay

Taxed

Active Duty Pay

Taxed

VA Facilities Access

Adequate

Notable Benefits

Standard federal VA benefits

See your full cost of living in American Samoa

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Compare Similar States

AS vs CO

American Samoa vs Colorado

COL 110 vs 110 · 30% vs 4.4% income tax

Full comparison →

AS vs OR

American Samoa vs Oregon

COL 110 vs 110 · 30% vs 9.9% income tax

Full comparison →

AS vs VT

American Samoa vs Vermont

COL 110 vs 111 · 30% vs 8.75% income tax

Full comparison →

AS vs ME

American Samoa vs Maine

COL 110 vs 107 · 30% vs 7.15% income tax

Full comparison →

Trending in American Samoa

NMHU, American Samoa Announce In-State Tuition Now Available to American Samoa Students - New Mexico Highlands University

New Mexico Highlands University · Jan 27

American Samoa said ‘no’ to deep sea mining, Washington heard ‘faster’ (commentary) - news - Mongabay

news - Mongabay · Apr 1

Governor highlights infrastructure, energy in American Samoa's State of the Territory address - pasquines.us

pasquines.us · Apr 22

Trump Explores Deep Sea Mining in American Samoa - Inside Climate News

Inside Climate News · Mar 11

President Obama Declares American Samoa a Major Disaster - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos · Feb 12

What Residents Say

If you are a US citizen living in the states can you freely ...

https://youtu.be/Di0eo7YKmS4?si=R22R35__Zy-sTjKe...

reddit.com ↗

American samoa status : r/PassportPorn

However, a bona fide resident of American Samoa (whether a citizen or non-citizen national) is not subject to US taxes on their American Samoa ......

reddit.com ↗

Asuelo almost convinced ME to move to Samoa

1 acre of land in is about $200000 USD. run about $500,000 USD. USA with immigrants. The US needs to start taxing these remits at 30%...that. ......

reddit.com ↗

Anyone here visited/lived in a US territory? (Puerto Rico, ...

The PR tax situation is very 4% tax rate on income, no Federal Tax, no tax on dividends or capital gains that accrue after you move there. Cost ......

reddit.com ↗

TIL American Samoans hold U.S. passports mentioning ...

people in the territories don't pay federal income tax. The GDP per capita of Samoa is 4,000. The entire GDP is under 1 billion. wage at a ......

reddit.com ↗

What is it like to live in a US Territory? : r/AskAnAmerican

I'm an American myself, but I live in one of the States and we rarely talk about the Territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, or American Samoa here. What's ......

reddit.com ↗

Might move to a US Territory, which one to choose?

I don't often see people mentioning these places on here, but I have been exploring the idea of relocating off mainland US to either Guam, American ......

reddit.com ↗

TIL People born in American Samoa, which has been held ...

But, it would probably come with increased scrutiny, taxes and oversight. Cost of Living in American Samoa 🇦🇸...

reddit.com ↗

American Samoa vs Western Samoa which is a better ...

Both places are occupied by mostly native Samoans, though what are the similarities and what are the differences. Aside from the fact one drives on the ......

reddit.com ↗

Can mainland Americans move freely and permanently to ...

I’m from the uk and was looking into if it’s possible to move to the British virgin islands and apparently it’s practically impossible to move ......

reddit.com ↗

Stay Current

Get notified when American Samoa tax laws, gun laws, or social policy changes.

Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI UCR ~2022. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund / US News ~2023. Education: Education Week ~2023. Housing: Zillow / Census ACS ~2024. Insurance: rate surveys ~2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.

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Quick Profiles

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Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable