Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Boroko and Port Moresby

For one person, living is cheaper in Boroko: $868 a month against $1,427 in Port Moresby, rent and utilities included – about $6,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

42

Cost of Living Index in Boroko
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Boroko Living Index
69

Cost of Living Index in Port Moresby
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Port Moresby Living Index

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Boroko

🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea

$868

/mo nomad

Port Moresby

🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea

$1,427

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Boroko and in Port Moresby

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Boroko and in Port Moresby actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $868 per month in Boroko vs $1,427 in Port Moresby, rent included.

Boroko $868
Port Moresby $1,427

A couple spends around $1,259 per month in Boroko vs $2,248 in Port Moresby, rent included.

Boroko $1,259
Port Moresby $2,248

A family of three spends $1,649 per month in Boroko vs $3,068 in Port Moresby, rent included.

Boroko $1,649
Port Moresby $3,068

Boroko is about 39% cheaper than Port Moresby, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Boroko sits 36% below the global median, while Port Moresby is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.29 PGK 31.67

$7.55 PGK 32.81

-3.44%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.42 PGK 149

$43.49 PGK 189

-20.86%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.35 PGK 23.26

$5.39 PGK 23.41

-0.74%

Cappuccino

$2.48 PGK 10.76

$2.45 PGK 10.63

1.22%

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

$0.71 PGK 3.06

$0.72 PGK 3.13

-1.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.64 PGK 2.78

$0.64 PGK 2.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.58 PGK 11.22

$2.88 PGK 12.51

-10.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.42 PGK 14.85

$3.48 PGK 15.12

-1.72%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.50 PGK 6.51

$1.82 PGK 7.90

-17.58%

White Bread (500g)

$1.16 PGK 5.02

$1.48 PGK 6.41

-21.62%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.16 PGK 5.03

$1.35 PGK 5.86

-14.07%

Eggs

$3.55 PGK 15.40

$3.70 PGK 16.06

-4.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.98 PGK 21.65

$8.66 PGK 37.63

-42.49%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.79 PGK 20.79

$4.75 PGK 20.65

0.84%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.61 PGK 28.72

$9.56 PGK 41.53

-30.86%

Apples (1kg)

$3.85 PGK 16.70

$4.22 PGK 18.34

-8.77%

Banana (1kg)

$3.08 PGK 13.38

$3.21 PGK 13.95

-4.05%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.72 PGK 11.80

$7.07 PGK 30.72

-61.53%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.70 PGK 11.74

$6.41 PGK 27.83

-57.88%

Potato (1kg)

$2.82 PGK 12.24

$3.04 PGK 13.18

-7.24%

Onion (1kg)

$0.84 PGK 3.65

$2.89 PGK 12.57

-70.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.12 PGK 4.86

$2.31 PGK 10.05

-51.52%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.42 PGK 1.83

$1.33 PGK 5.76

-68.42%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.42 PGK 23.53

$6.41 PGK 27.83

-15.44%

Wine (Bottle)

$4.95 PGK 21.52

$10.53 PGK 45.72

-52.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 PGK 4.67

$2.61 PGK 11.33

-59.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.49 PGK 6.48

$3.45 PGK 14.97

-56.81%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.42 PGK 1.83

$0.46 PGK 1.99

-8.70%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.88 PGK 125

$23.84 PGK 104

21.14%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.40 PGK 19.11

$5.03 PGK 21.85

-12.52%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 PGK 5.83

$2.23 PGK 9.69

-39.91%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.97 PGK 47.66

$14.04 PGK 61.0

-21.87%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.80 PGK 3.47

$0.97 PGK 4.23

-17.53%

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

$35.7K PGK 155.0K

$49.7K PGK 215.7K

-28.15%

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

$17.6K PGK 76.4K

$17.0K PGK 73.8K

3.58%

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

$61.6 PGK 267

$117 PGK 510

-47.52%

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

$20.71 PGK 90.0

$20.94 PGK 90.9

-1.10%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$82.1 PGK 357

$81.9 PGK 356

0.32%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.86 PGK 182

$59.6 PGK 259

-29.78%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.29 PGK 62.1

$22.28 PGK 96.8

-35.86%

Cinema Ticket

$6.47 PGK 28.09

$8.51 PGK 36.94

-23.97%

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

$333 PGK 1,445

$548 PGK 2,382

-39.34%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,215 PGK 9,621

$6,113 PGK 26.5K

-63.76%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$34.50 PGK 150

$34.68 PGK 151

-0.52%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$12.91 PGK 56.1

$35.61 PGK 155

-63.75%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$44.28 PGK 192

$69.2 PGK 300

-35.98%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$26.31 PGK 114

$94.3 PGK 410

-72.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,336 PGK 14.5K

$1,451 PGK 6,302

129.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$221 PGK 959

$537 PGK 2,333

-58.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,257 PGK 14.1K

$2,809 PGK 12.2K

15.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$218 PGK 947

$1,121 PGK 4,869

-80.55%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,009 PGK 8,728

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,717 PGK 16.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$352 PGK 1,530

$429 PGK 1,863

-17.86%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.17

-9.61%

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

Last update for Boroko: October 25, 2026

Last update for Port Moresby: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Accommodation & Living

Boroko

$221 25.4%

Port Moresby

$537 37.6% 143% $316

Groceries & Markets

Boroko

$204 23.5%

Port Moresby

$313 22% 53.5% $109

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Boroko

$164 18.9%

Port Moresby

$220 15.4% 33.9% $56

Eating Out

Boroko

$129 14.9%

Port Moresby

$133 9.3% 2.7% $3.5

Sport & Entertainment

Boroko

$55 6.3%

Port Moresby

$77 5.4% 39.8% $22

Clothing & Footwear

Boroko

$53 6.1%

Port Moresby

$105 7.4% 98.1% $52

Getting Around

Boroko

$42 4.8%

Port Moresby

$42 2.9% 0.4% $0.2

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,336 in Boroko versus $1,451 in Port Moresby. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 22% higher in Port Moresby, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $34 in Boroko versus $43 in Port Moresby. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $204 vs $313 – making Boroko the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇵🇬 Boroko

🇵🇬 Port Moresby

🕒 Local time

15:56 3:56 PM

Same time as Boroko

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

364,145 Capital

💱 Currency

Papua New Guinean Kina PGK K

📈 Exchange rate

1 PGK = 0.23 USD

1 PGK = 0.207 EUR

1 PGK = 0.23 USD

1 PGK = 0.207 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

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Between locations

Boroko Port Moresby 4 km

From you

Boroko
Port Moresby

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

Boroko vs Port Moresby: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Port Moresby costs about 64% more than Boroko, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,302 per month in Boroko and $2,140 in Port Moresby. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Port Moresby, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,451 there versus $3,336 in Boroko.

Kindergarten costs $333 per month in Boroko and $548 in Port Moresby. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 54% more in Port Moresby, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $868 in Boroko and $1,427 in Port Moresby. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Port Moresby has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $868 in Boroko to $1,427 in Port Moresby. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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