Cost of Living Comparison Between Amaru and Papeete Cost of Living Comparison Between Amaru and Papeete

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.27 CFPF 1,973

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$96.9 CFPF 9,920

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.55 CFPF 1,592

Cappuccino

$3.57 CFPF 366

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

$2.82 CFPF 288

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.36 CFPF 344

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.42 CFPF 350

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.99 CFPF 408

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 CFPF 157

White Bread (500g)

$2.72 CFPF 278

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 CFPF 168

Eggs

$6.63 CFPF 678

Local Cheese (1kg)

$29.40 CFPF 3,009

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.81 CFPF 1,618

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$27.65 CFPF 2,830

Apples (1kg)

$4.96 CFPF 508

Banana (1kg)

$2.53 CFPF 259

Oranges (1kg)

$6.84 CFPF 700

Tomato (1kg)

$8.10 CFPF 829

Potato (1kg)

$2.86 CFPF 293

Onion (1kg)

$2.35 CFPF 241

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.80 CFPF 389

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 CFPF 122

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.36 CFPF 1,367

Wine (Bottle)

$21.65 CFPF 2,216

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.90 CFPF 296

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 CFPF 331

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.93 CFPF 198

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.79 CFPF 1,002

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.51 CFPF 154

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

$19.3K CFPF 2.0M

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

$29.1K CFPF 3.0M

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

$187 CFPF 19.2K

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

$20.53 CFPF 2,101

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.9 CFPF 7,459

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$86.8 CFPF 8,886

Cinema Ticket

$14.49 CFPF 1,483

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

$487 CFPF 49.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,807 CFPF 1.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.7 CFPF 7,336

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$74.5 CFPF 7,629

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$82.5 CFPF 8,447

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$91.5 CFPF 9,360

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,389 CFPF 142.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$956 CFPF 97.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,889 CFPF 193.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,528 CFPF 156.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,316 CFPF 748.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.9K CFPF 1.2M

$7,648 CFPF 782.7K

55.88%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,754 CFPF 179.5K

$2,386 CFPF 244.2K

-26.52%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.5

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

Last update for Amaru: August 29, 2026

Last update for Papeete: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 36% higher in Papeete, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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

Amaru vs Papeete: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Salaries in Papeete run about 36% lower, which matters when comparing the full picture. But lower pay doesn't always mean worse – if living costs drop proportionally, your purchasing power may stay the same or even improve.

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

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

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