Cost of Living in Boroko - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $821 (excluding rent), and $1,112 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,708 (excluding rent), and $1,954 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.73 PGK 31.57

$4.76 PGK 19.43

$14.28 PGK 58.3

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.3 PGK 156

$35.9 PGK 147

$144 PGK 586

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.87 PGK 23.98

$4.23 PGK 17.27

$11.75 PGK 47.96

Cappuccino

$2.24 PGK 9.16

$1.18 PGK 4.82

$3.54 PGK 14.46

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.81 PGK 3.3

$0.62 PGK 2.54

$2.48 PGK 10.14

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 PGK 3.2

$0.46 PGK 1.88

$1.15 PGK 4.69

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 PGK 9.57

$1.64 PGK 6.7

$4.22 PGK 17.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.2 PGK 17.14

$2.47 PGK 10.08

$6.17 PGK 25.21

Milk (1 liter)

$1.7 PGK 6.94

$2.19 PGK 8.93

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 PGK 5.16

$1.18 PGK 4.84

$3.55 PGK 14.51

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.3 PGK 5.29

$1.19 PGK 4.85

$1.66 PGK 6.79

Eggs

$3.72 PGK 15.19

$2.8 PGK 11.42

$4.43 PGK 18.08

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.46 PGK 18.19

$3.13 PGK 12.78

$12.04 PGK 49.17

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.17 PGK 25.19

$3.53 PGK 14.42

$9.42 PGK 38.45

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.17 PGK 29.26

$6.8 PGK 27.78

$14.58 PGK 59.5

Apples (1kg)

$4.1 PGK 16.73

$1.94 PGK 7.93

$6.07 PGK 24.78

Banana (1kg)

$2.91 PGK 11.89

$1.21 PGK 4.95

$4.61 PGK 18.82

Oranges (1kg)

$3.03 PGK 12.39

$1.97 PGK 8.04

$11.07 PGK 45.2

Tomato (1kg)

$2.9 PGK 11.85

$1.16 PGK 4.73

$8.47 PGK 34.57

Potato (1kg)

$3.18 PGK 12.98

$1.47 PGK 5.99

$6.12 PGK 24.96

Onion (1kg)

$1 PGK 4.08

$5 PGK 20.42

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.21 PGK 4.94

$6.54 PGK 26.69

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.46 PGK 1.88

$1.84 PGK 7.51

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.94 PGK 24.23

$4.75 PGK 19.38

$11.16 PGK 45.55

Wine (Bottle)

$5.43 PGK 22.18

$18.11 PGK 73.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.18 PGK 4.8

$3.56 PGK 14.55

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.64 PGK 6.7

$5.16 PGK 21.07

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.5 PGK 2.05

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$31.57 PGK 129

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.84 PGK 19.78

$9.69 PGK 39.55

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.52 PGK 6.2

$2.53 PGK 10.31

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.16 PGK 49.63

$24.31 PGK 99.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.82 PGK 3.33

$1.17 PGK 4.76

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23K PGK 93.8K

$21.6K PGK 88.3K

$38.9K PGK 158.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.7K PGK 100.9K

$22.4K PGK 91.4K

$36.1K PGK 147.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$67.4 PGK 275

$48.12 PGK 196

$205 PGK 835

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$47.28 PGK 193

$23.81 PGK 97.2

$56 PGK 228

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$241 PGK 983

$72.3 PGK 295

$722 PGK 2,949

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.41 PGK 189

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.7 PGK 64.1

Cinema Ticket

$7.23 PGK 29.53

$12.06 PGK 49.22

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$354 PGK 1,446

$709 PGK 2,893

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,375 PGK 9,697

$1,425 PGK 5,818

$8,314 PGK 33.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.46 PGK 128

$11.96 PGK 48.83

$50.2 PGK 205

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.36 PGK 58.6

$59.9 PGK 244

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.66 PGK 199

$85.2 PGK 348

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$29.22 PGK 119

$146 PGK 596

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,647 PGK 14.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$244 PGK 994

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,650 PGK 14.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 PGK 977

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$13.1K PGK 53.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$381 PGK 1,556

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

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Cost of Living in Boroko - Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.