Cost of Living in Boroko - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $774 (excluding rent), and $1,134 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,442 (excluding rent), and $2,014 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.01 PGK 34.67
$4.93 PGK 21.33
$14.78 PGK 64.0
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.89 PGK 168
$36.46 PGK 158
$146 PGK 632
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.14 PGK 26.59
$4.42 PGK 19.14
$12.28 PGK 53.2
Cappuccino
$2.27 PGK 9.81
$1.19 PGK 5.16
$3.58 PGK 15.49
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 PGK 3.24
$0.58 PGK 2.49
$2.30 PGK 9.97
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83 PGK 3.61
$0.49 PGK 2.11
$1.22 PGK 5.28
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.37 PGK 10.28
$1.66 PGK 7.20
$4.27 PGK 18.51
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96 PGK 17.15
$2.33 PGK 10.09
$5.82 PGK 25.22
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 PGK 7.35
$1.70 PGK 7.35
$2.18 PGK 9.45
White Bread (500g)
$1.25 PGK 5.39
$1.17 PGK 5.05
$3.50 PGK 15.16
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.29 PGK 5.57
$1.18 PGK 5.10
$1.65 PGK 7.15
Eggs
$3.77 PGK 16.32
$2.83 PGK 12.27
$4.49 PGK 19.43
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.55 PGK 19.69
$3.20 PGK 13.83
$12.29 PGK 53.2
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.39 PGK 27.66
$3.66 PGK 15.83
$9.75 PGK 42.21
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.21 PGK 31.23
$6.85 PGK 29.64
$14.67 PGK 63.5
Apples (1kg)
$4.00 PGK 17.33
$1.90 PGK 8.21
$5.93 PGK 25.67
Banana (1kg)
$2.87 PGK 12.42
$1.20 PGK 5.17
$4.54 PGK 19.66
Oranges (1kg)
$2.98 PGK 12.91
$1.93 PGK 8.38
$10.88 PGK 47.12
Tomato (1kg)
$2.81 PGK 12.18
$1.12 PGK 4.86
$8.21 PGK 35.53
Potato (1kg)
$3.07 PGK 13.31
$1.42 PGK 6.14
$5.91 PGK 25.60
Onion (1kg)
$0.98 PGK 4.26
$0.98 PGK 4.26
$4.92 PGK 21.32
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.23 PGK 5.34
$1.23 PGK 5.34
$6.66 PGK 28.85
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47 PGK 2.03
$0.47 PGK 2.03
$1.88 PGK 8.14
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.06 PGK 26.25
$4.85 PGK 21.00
$11.40 PGK 49.35
Wine (Bottle)
$5.25 PGK 22.75
$5.25 PGK 22.75
$18.67 PGK 80.9
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 PGK 5.33
$1.23 PGK 5.33
$3.74 PGK 16.18
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 PGK 7.21
$1.66 PGK 7.21
$5.23 PGK 22.65
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.46 PGK 2.00
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.96 PGK 138
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.94 PGK 21.38
$4.94 PGK 21.38
$9.88 PGK 42.76
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.44 PGK 6.23
$1.44 PGK 6.23
$2.39 PGK 10.36
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.90 PGK 51.6
$11.90 PGK 51.6
$23.81 PGK 103
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.82 PGK 3.54
$0.82 PGK 3.54
$1.17 PGK 5.05
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.9K PGK 99.1K
$21.5K PGK 93.3K
$38.7K PGK 167.7K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.3K PGK 105.3K
$22.0K PGK 95.4K
$35.5K PGK 153.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$68.1 PGK 295
$48.65 PGK 211
$207 PGK 895
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.74 PGK 207
$24.04 PGK 104
$56.5 PGK 245
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$237 PGK 1,028
$71.2 PGK 308
$712 PGK 3,083
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.81 PGK 198
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.46 PGK 66.9
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.32 PGK 31.68
$7.32 PGK 31.68
$12.19 PGK 52.8
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$366 PGK 1,584
$366 PGK 1,584
$732 PGK 3,169
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,427 PGK 10.5K
$1,456 PGK 6,306
$8,495 PGK 36.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.38 PGK 136
$11.93 PGK 51.7
$50.1 PGK 217
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.65 PGK 63.4
$14.65 PGK 63.4
$61.0 PGK 264
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$48.77 PGK 211
$48.77 PGK 211
$85.3 PGK 370
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$29.00 PGK 126
$29.00 PGK 126
$145 PGK 628
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,627 PGK 15.7K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$241 PGK 1,043
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,633 PGK 15.7K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$243 PGK 1,052
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$366 PGK 1,584
-
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: April 13, 2026

Boroko Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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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