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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.77 PGK 33.38

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.14 PGK 168

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.03 PGK 25.89

Cappuccino

$2.34 PGK 10.06

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

$0.82 PGK 3.50

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 PGK 3.35

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.35 PGK 10.11

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.99 PGK 17.16

Milk (1 liter)

$1.72 PGK 7.40

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 PGK 5.39

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.29 PGK 5.53

Eggs

$3.73 PGK 16.02

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.48 PGK 19.23

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.41 PGK 27.56

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.05 PGK 30.29

Apples (1kg)

$3.95 PGK 16.99

Banana (1kg)

$2.86 PGK 12.30

Oranges (1kg)

$2.90 PGK 12.46

Tomato (1kg)

$2.90 PGK 12.44

Potato (1kg)

$3.16 PGK 13.57

Onion (1kg)

$0.94 PGK 4.02

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.17 PGK 5.03

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 PGK 2.11

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.87 PGK 25.20

Wine (Bottle)

$5.23 PGK 22.49

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.18 PGK 5.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.67 PGK 7.17

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.50 PGK 2.14

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$32.62 PGK 140

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.73 PGK 20.31

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.44 PGK 6.20

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.95 PGK 51.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 PGK 3.55

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

$23.0K PGK 98.6K

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

$24.6K PGK 105.7K

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

$67.0 PGK 288

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

$48.35 PGK 208

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$236 PGK 1,012

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.77 PGK 197

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.46 PGK 66.4

Cinema Ticket

$7.24 PGK 31.12

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

$355 PGK 1,526

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,442 PGK 10.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.00 PGK 133

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.57 PGK 62.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.48 PGK 208

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$28.45 PGK 122

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,542 PGK 15.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 PGK 1,016

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,536 PGK 15.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 PGK 1,020

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$363 PGK 1,558

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Alotau: June 6, 2026

Last update for Boroko: June 7, 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.