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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.22 PGK 31.39

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.76 PGK 155

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.51 PGK 23.93

Cappuccino

$2.55 PGK 11.07

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

$0.73 PGK 3.16

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.65 PGK 2.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.75 PGK 11.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.55 PGK 15.41

Milk (1 liter)

$1.62 PGK 7.02

White Bread (500g)

$1.16 PGK 5.06

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.25 PGK 5.42

Eggs

$3.61 PGK 15.68

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.99 PGK 21.67

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.08 PGK 22.07

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.66 PGK 28.95

Apples (1kg)

$4.15 PGK 18.03

Banana (1kg)

$3.02 PGK 13.13

Oranges (1kg)

$2.84 PGK 12.33

Tomato (1kg)

$2.64 PGK 11.46

Potato (1kg)

$2.87 PGK 12.47

Onion (1kg)

$0.93 PGK 4.04

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.11 PGK 4.82

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.43 PGK 1.89

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.52 PGK 23.98

Wine (Bottle)

$5.02 PGK 21.80

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 PGK 4.99

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.60 PGK 6.94

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.47 PGK 2.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.66 PGK 133

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.42 PGK 19.21

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 PGK 5.94

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.14 PGK 48.39

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.76 PGK 3.29

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

$21.2K PGK 91.9K

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

$17.5K PGK 76.0K

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

$63.1 PGK 274

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

$23.42 PGK 102

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$92.3 PGK 401

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.37 PGK 184

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.39 PGK 62.5

Cinema Ticket

$6.81 PGK 29.58

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

$341 PGK 1,483

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,221 PGK 9,650

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.27 PGK 145

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.67 PGK 59.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.18 PGK 196

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$27.12 PGK 118

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,340 PGK 14.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$224 PGK 971

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,407 PGK 14.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$225 PGK 977

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$355 PGK 1,544

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Alotau: September 12, 2026

Last update for Boroko: September 14, 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.