Cost of Living Comparison Between Alotau and Boroko Cost of Living Comparison Between Alotau and Boroko

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.87 PGK 34.16

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.12 PGK 165

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.88 PGK 25.54

Cappuccino

$2.23 PGK 9.67

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

$0.76 PGK 3.28

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 PGK 3.71

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.35 PGK 10.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.99 PGK 17.31

Milk (1 liter)

$1.67 PGK 7.25

White Bread (500g)

$1.29 PGK 5.60

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.28 PGK 5.54

Eggs

$3.78 PGK 16.42

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.48 PGK 19.44

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.26 PGK 27.19

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.94 PGK 30.12

Apples (1kg)

$4.03 PGK 17.50

Banana (1kg)

$2.96 PGK 12.87

Oranges (1kg)

$3.01 PGK 13.06

Tomato (1kg)

$2.95 PGK 12.80

Potato (1kg)

$3.09 PGK 13.40

Onion (1kg)

$0.92 PGK 3.98

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.18 PGK 5.10

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 PGK 2.13

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.07 PGK 26.34

Wine (Bottle)

$5.13 PGK 22.28

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.22 PGK 5.28

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.65 PGK 7.18

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.47 PGK 2.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$31.71 PGK 138

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.72 PGK 20.49

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.46 PGK 6.32

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.11 PGK 52.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 PGK 3.50

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

$22.9K PGK 99.6K

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

$25.1K PGK 109.0K

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

$66.9 PGK 290

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

$48.14 PGK 209

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$244 PGK 1,061

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.12 PGK 200

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.32 PGK 66.5

Cinema Ticket

$7.41 PGK 32.15

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

$356 PGK 1,543

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,352 PGK 10.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.23 PGK 136

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.33 PGK 62.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.29 PGK 210

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$28.30 PGK 123

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,535 PGK 15.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$243 PGK 1,054

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,574 PGK 15.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$241 PGK 1,045

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$363 PGK 1,575

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Alotau: April 25, 2026

Last update for Boroko: April 28, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Alotau vs Boroko: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Families tend to lean toward Alotau – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Alotau. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Boroko makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.