Cost of Living in Boroko - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $821 (excluding rent), and $1,107 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,718 (excluding rent), and $1,969 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.58 PGK 32.98
$4.67 PGK 20.30
$14.00 PGK 60.9
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.72 PGK 164
$35.36 PGK 154
$141 PGK 615
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.88 PGK 25.56
$4.23 PGK 18.40
$11.75 PGK 51.1
Cappuccino
$2.27 PGK 9.86
$1.19 PGK 5.19
$3.58 PGK 15.57
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80 PGK 3.50
$0.62 PGK 2.69
$2.47 PGK 10.76
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85 PGK 3.70
$0.50 PGK 2.16
$1.24 PGK 5.41
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.47 PGK 10.75
$1.73 PGK 7.52
$4.45 PGK 19.34
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96 PGK 17.24
$2.33 PGK 10.14
$5.83 PGK 25.36
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 PGK 7.40
$1.70 PGK 7.40
$2.19 PGK 9.52
White Bread (500g)
$1.26 PGK 5.49
$1.18 PGK 5.14
$3.55 PGK 15.43
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.34 PGK 5.83
$1.23 PGK 5.34
$1.72 PGK 7.47
Eggs
$3.86 PGK 16.78
$2.90 PGK 12.62
$4.59 PGK 19.98
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.55 PGK 19.81
$3.20 PGK 13.92
$12.31 PGK 53.5
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.37 PGK 27.69
$3.64 PGK 15.85
$9.71 PGK 42.26
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.92 PGK 30.12
$6.57 PGK 28.59
$14.08 PGK 61.3
Apples (1kg)
$4.11 PGK 17.89
$1.95 PGK 8.48
$6.09 PGK 26.50
Banana (1kg)
$2.92 PGK 12.70
$1.22 PGK 5.29
$4.62 PGK 20.11
Oranges (1kg)
$2.93 PGK 12.76
$1.90 PGK 8.28
$10.70 PGK 46.56
Tomato (1kg)
$2.92 PGK 12.69
$1.16 PGK 5.07
$8.51 PGK 37.00
Potato (1kg)
$3.20 PGK 13.93
$1.48 PGK 6.43
$6.16 PGK 26.79
Onion (1kg)
$1.00 PGK 4.36
$1.00 PGK 4.36
$5.01 PGK 21.80
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.23 PGK 5.35
$1.23 PGK 5.35
$6.64 PGK 28.87
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47 PGK 2.03
$0.47 PGK 2.03
$1.87 PGK 8.13
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.92 PGK 25.74
$4.73 PGK 20.59
$11.12 PGK 48.38
Wine (Bottle)
$5.11 PGK 22.21
$5.11 PGK 22.21
$17.02 PGK 74.1
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.22 PGK 5.29
$1.22 PGK 5.29
$3.69 PGK 16.05
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 PGK 7.50
$1.72 PGK 7.50
$5.42 PGK 23.57
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.46 PGK 1.99
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$32.10 PGK 140
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.82 PGK 20.98
$4.82 PGK 20.98
$9.65 PGK 41.96
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.49 PGK 6.49
$1.49 PGK 6.49
$2.48 PGK 10.78
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.08 PGK 52.5
$12.08 PGK 52.5
$24.15 PGK 105
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85 PGK 3.72
$0.85 PGK 3.72
$1.22 PGK 5.31
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.0K PGK 100.1K
$21.7K PGK 94.3K
$39.0K PGK 169.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.1K PGK 109.2K
$22.7K PGK 98.9K
$36.7K PGK 159.6K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$66.2 PGK 288
$47.27 PGK 206
$201 PGK 874
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$46.95 PGK 204
$23.64 PGK 103
$55.6 PGK 242
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$240 PGK 1,045
$72.1 PGK 314
$721 PGK 3,135
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.64 PGK 199
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.44 PGK 67.2
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.14 PGK 31.04
$7.14 PGK 31.04
$11.89 PGK 51.7
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$366 PGK 1,593
$366 PGK 1,593
$732 PGK 3,185
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,369 PGK 10.3K
$1,422 PGK 6,184
$8,292 PGK 36.1K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.39 PGK 137
$11.94 PGK 51.9
$50.1 PGK 218
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.56 PGK 63.3
$14.56 PGK 63.3
$60.7 PGK 264
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$48.17 PGK 210
$48.17 PGK 210
$84.3 PGK 367
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.53 PGK 124
$28.53 PGK 124
$143 PGK 621
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,638 PGK 15.8K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$236 PGK 1,028
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,665 PGK 15.9K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$241 PGK 1,050
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$365 PGK 1,589
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11
6.5
20

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 1, 2026

Boroko Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
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Cost of Living in Boroko - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the overall affordability in Boroko compare to other Pacific cities, and who tends to find it good value for money?
Cost of Living in Boroko, Papua New Guinea sits in a middle ground for the region. You’ll notice affordable everyday groceries and decent public transport, with housing costs that vary by neighborhood and by whether you choose a simple apartment or a shared compound. Travelers on short stays and digital nomads who prioritize a balance of price and amenities often find real value in areas with easy market access and reliable internet. Long-term residents can optimize costs by negotiating longer-term leases or sharing housing while staying within reach of services. Tip: map out a few neighborhoods to compare access before committing.
What does daily life look like in Boroko for housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
In Boroko, you’ll find a mix of rental options from modest apartments to mid-range houses near commercial strips. Start your housing search with local agents and visit compounds to gauge security and noise. For food, markets and eateries offer fresh produce and local dishes; balancing occasional cafe meals with home cooking helps manage Boroko, Papua New Guinea living cost. Transport hinges on a few routes: near a main bus stop or taxi app, and consider a bicycle if routes are flat. Co-working spaces are common in central pockets, making errands and meetings practical. Tip: keep a weekly routine to cut trips and save time.
How can you think about quality of life, budgeting frameworks, ways to save, seasonality, and neighborhood fit in Boroko?
Quality of life in Boroko tends to hinge on safety, access to markets, and community vibe. A practical budgeting framework groups expenses into housing, food, transport, and discretionary spending, then aims for a balance that fits your work tempo. Seasonal variation exists in rainfall and market rhythms, which can affect outdoor plans and grocery options; plan around wetter months by choosing covered markets or delivery where possible. For neighborhood fit, prioritize proximity to work or co-working spaces, reliable internet, and a sense of security. Tip: start with 2–3 short stays in different areas to nail your preferred cadence, then lock in a longer-term base.

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