Cost of Living Comparison Between Alotau and Madang Cost of Living Comparison Between Alotau and Madang

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.85 PGK 29.44

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.80 PGK 167

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.71 PGK 46.02

Cappuccino

$2.34 PGK 10.03

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

$1.22 PGK 5.22

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 PGK 3.00

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 PGK 12.68

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.30 PGK 18.47

Milk (1 liter)

$1.88 PGK 8.08

White Bread (500g)

$1.41 PGK 6.06

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.45 PGK 6.24

Eggs

$3.28 PGK 14.10

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.61 PGK 24.12

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.19 PGK 35.18

Apples (1kg)

$5.35 PGK 22.99

Banana (1kg)

$2.43 PGK 10.44

Oranges (1kg)

$0.91 PGK 3.92

Tomato (1kg)

$1.96 PGK 8.44

Potato (1kg)

$4.85 PGK 20.85

Onion (1kg)

$2.93 PGK 12.58

Lettuce (1 head)

$6.10 PGK 26.19

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.46 PGK 1.96

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.20 PGK 22.33

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.14 PGK 9.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 PGK 10.21

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.10 PGK 4.71

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

$68.1 PGK 292

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.06 PGK 103

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

$80.3 PGK 345

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,942 PGK 25.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.19 PGK 82.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.45 PGK 62.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.4 PGK 290

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$28.32 PGK 122

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$951 PGK 4,085

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$592 PGK 2,542

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

Last update for Alotau: June 6, 2026

Last update for Madang: June 9, 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 Madang: 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, Madang makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.