Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Lihir Island

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Cost of Living Index in Austin, TX
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Austin, TX Living Index

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Austin, TX

🇺🇸 United States

$2,698

/mo nomad

Lihir Island

🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea

/mo nomad

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.63 $20.63

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$84.6 $84.6

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

Cappuccino

$5.48 $5.48

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

$3.80 $3.80

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.05 $8.05

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.88 $8.88

Milk (1 liter)

$1.11 $1.11

White Bread (500g)

$3.72 $3.72

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.37 $3.37

Eggs

$4.32 $4.32

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.13 $13.13

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.15 $14.15

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.33 $16.33

Apples (1kg)

$4.55 $4.55

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 $1.46

Oranges (1kg)

$4.71 $4.71

Tomato (1kg)

$4.15 $4.15

Potato (1kg)

$2.58 $2.58

Onion (1kg)

$2.35 $2.35

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.77 $1.77

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.14 $2.14

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.10 $10.10

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.82 $2.82

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.44 $3.44

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.54 $1.54

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.99 $40.99

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.80 $2.80

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.60 $1.60

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.34 $34.34

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.94 $0.94

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

$34.0K $34.0K

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

$26.8K $26.8K

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

$223 $223

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

$58.9 $58.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.6 $70.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.7 $57.7

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.53 $16.53

Cinema Ticket

$14.26 $14.26

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

$1,511 $1,511

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$20.9K $20.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.3 $51.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.17 $44.17

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.0 $87.0

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 $104

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,940 $1,940

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,316 $1,316

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,664 $3,664

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,565 $2,565

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,354 $7,354

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,129 $3,129

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,286 $5,286

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.79

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 19, 2026

Last update for Lihir Island: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Austin, TX

$1.3K 48.8%

Lihir Island

–

Groceries & Markets

Austin, TX

$406 15.1%

Lihir Island

–

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Austin, TX

$352 13.1%

Lihir Island

–

Eating Out

Austin, TX

$350 13%

Lihir Island

–

Clothing & Footwear

Austin, TX

$129 4.8%

Lihir Island

–

Sport & Entertainment

Austin, TX

$86 3.2%

Lihir Island

–

Getting Around

Austin, TX

$58 2.2%

Lihir Island

–

Good to know

🇺🇸 Austin, TX

🇵🇬 Lihir Island

🕒 Local time

12:06 12:06 PM

03:06 3:06 AM

15 h ahead of Austin, TX

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

974,447

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

Papua New Guinean Kina PGK K

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.89 EUR

1 PGK = 0.228 USD

1 PGK = 0.203 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

PGK, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

🇵🇬 Papua New Guinean Kina (K)

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Papua New Guinean Kina exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 4.38 PGK (1 PGK = 0.228 USD). 1 EUR = 4.92 PGK (1 PGK = 0.203 EUR).

PGK to USD in detail →

On the map

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Austin, TX Lihir Island 12,070 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight

From you

Austin, TX
Lihir Island

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

Austin, TX vs Lihir Island: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For families, Lihir Island is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Austin, TX, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

It comes down to priorities – Lihir Island wins on affordability, Austin, TX on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.