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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.01 PGK 35.36

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.06 PGK 172

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.83 PGK 25.72

Cappuccino

$2.29 PGK 10.12

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

$0.82 PGK 3.61

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.79 PGK 3.47

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.47 PGK 10.90

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.10 PGK 18.08

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 PGK 7.54

White Bread (500g)

$1.30 PGK 5.74

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.32 PGK 5.84

Eggs

$3.94 PGK 17.40

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.40 PGK 19.42

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.37 PGK 28.13

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.90 PGK 30.44

Apples (1kg)

$3.94 PGK 17.37

Banana (1kg)

$2.96 PGK 13.06

Oranges (1kg)

$3.00 PGK 13.22

Tomato (1kg)

$2.89 PGK 12.77

Potato (1kg)

$3.18 PGK 14.05

Onion (1kg)

$0.93 PGK 4.11

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.17 PGK 5.16

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.47 PGK 2.06

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.09 PGK 26.89

Wine (Bottle)

$5.08 PGK 22.42

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.23 PGK 5.44

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 PGK 7.30

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.47 PGK 2.07

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$32.62 PGK 144

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.83 PGK 21.32

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.45 PGK 6.41

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.79 PGK 52.0

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.86 PGK 3.81

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

$22.8K PGK 100.8K

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

$24.3K PGK 107.3K

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

$66.2 PGK 292

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

$46.81 PGK 207

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$236 PGK 1,041

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.07 PGK 199

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.53 PGK 68.5

Cinema Ticket

$7.17 PGK 31.62

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

$365 PGK 1,611

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,428 PGK 10.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.84 PGK 140

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.61 PGK 64.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$47.19 PGK 208

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$28.51 PGK 126

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,607 PGK 15.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$236 PGK 1,043

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,633 PGK 16.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 PGK 1,046

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$363 PGK 1,603

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Alotau: July 25, 2026

Last update for Boroko: July 27, 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.