Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between French Polynesia and the Northern Mariana Islands

Name: Northern Mariana Islands
Address: MP

For one person, living is cheaper in the Northern Mariana Islands: $1,762 a month against $2,315 in French Polynesia, rent and utilities included – about $6,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

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Cost of Living Index in French Polynesia
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French Polynesia Living Index

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🇵🇫 French Polynesia

$2,315

/mo nomad

🇲🇵 Northern Mariana Islands

$1,762

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in French Polynesia and in the Northern Mariana Islands

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,315 in French Polynesia versus $1,762 in the Northern Mariana Islands.

French Polynesia $2,315
Northern Mariana Islands $1,762

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,464 in French Polynesia versus $2,580 in the Northern Mariana Islands.

French Polynesia $3,464
Northern Mariana Islands $2,580

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,613 in French Polynesia versus $3,399 in the Northern Mariana Islands.

French Polynesia $4,613
Northern Mariana Islands $3,399

Internal cost variation is higher in French Polynesia: monthly costs span $14 to $2,283, compared to $1,749–$1,749 in the Northern Mariana Islands. City choice carries more weight in French Polynesia.

Living in French Polynesia is roughly 31% more expensive than in the Northern Mariana Islands on average.

Both countries sit above the global median: French Polynesia 70% above, the Northern Mariana Islands 29% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.95 CFPF 1,802

$14.80 $14.80

14.53%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.4 CFPF 8,116

$43.03 $43.03

77.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.24 CFPF 1,514

$14.22 $14.22

0.14%

Cappuccino

$4.14 CFPF 440

$5.40 $5.40

-23.33%

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

$2.64 CFPF 280

$2.02 $2.02

30.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 CFPF 265

$1.39 $1.39

79.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.75 CFPF 505

$6.10 $6.10

-22.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.58 CFPF 593

$7.36 $7.36

-24.18%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.43 CFPF 152

$2.55 $2.55

-43.92%

White Bread (500g)

$4.40 CFPF 468

$5.67 $5.67

-22.40%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.73 CFPF 184

$45.28 $45.28

-96.18%

Eggs

$6.74 CFPF 716

$6.05 $6.05

11.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$35.28 CFPF 3,750

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.39 CFPF 1,636

$13.30 $13.30

15.71%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$24.37 CFPF 2,591

$6.70 $6.70

263.73%

Apples (1kg)

$4.93 CFPF 524

$6.49 $6.49

-24.04%

Banana (1kg)

$2.88 CFPF 306

Oranges (1kg)

$6.35 CFPF 675

$6.49 $6.49

-2.16%

Tomato (1kg)

$7.63 CFPF 811

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 CFPF 311

$2.01 $2.01

45.27%

Onion (1kg)

$2.42 CFPF 258

$2.21 $2.21

9.50%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.65 CFPF 388

$4.96 $4.96

-26.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.16 CFPF 123

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.06 CFPF 1,388

Wine (Bottle)

$23.36 CFPF 2,483

$15.16 $15.16

54.09%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.92 CFPF 311

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.76 CFPF 400

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.82 CFPF 193

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.33 CFPF 1,523

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.51 CFPF 1,011

$4.91 $4.91

93.69%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.39 CFPF 254

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.96 CFPF 2,441

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 CFPF 153

$1.45 $1.45

-0.69%

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

$18.6K CFPF 2.0M

$36.3K $36.3K

-48.86%

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

$30.4K CFPF 3.2M

$21.7K $21.7K

40.15%

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

$174 CFPF 18.4K

$377 $377

-53.91%

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

$18.73 CFPF 1,991

$59.8 $59.8

-68.69%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.8 CFPF 7,417

$91.2 $91.2

-23.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$73.0 CFPF 7,763

$61.1 $61.1

19.58%

Cinema Ticket

$14.25 CFPF 1,515

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

$468 CFPF 49.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,405 CFPF 999.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.1 CFPF 7,348

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$72.3 CFPF 7,687

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.0 CFPF 8,288

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$89.4 CFPF 9,506

$39.86 $39.86

124.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,233 CFPF 131.0K

$815 $815

51.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$922 CFPF 98.0K

$373 $373

147.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,868 CFPF 198.6K

$780 $780

139.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,473 CFPF 156.6K

$808 $808

82.24%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,062 CFPF 750.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$9,027 CFPF 959.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,876 CFPF 199.4K

$991 $991

89.23%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.6

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

Last update for French Polynesia: October 24, 2026

Last update for the Northern Mariana Islands: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Accommodation & Living

French Polynesia

$922 39.8%

Northern Mariana Islands

–

Groceries & Markets

French Polynesia

$565 24.4%

Northern Mariana Islands

–

Eating Out

French Polynesia

$283 12.2%

Northern Mariana Islands

–

Monthly Utilities & Internet

French Polynesia

$262 11.3%

Northern Mariana Islands

–

Clothing & Footwear

French Polynesia

$139 6%

Northern Mariana Islands

–

Sport & Entertainment

French Polynesia

$102 4.4%

Northern Mariana Islands

–

Getting Around

French Polynesia

$43 1.9%

Northern Mariana Islands

–

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $1,170 in French Polynesia, $794 in the Northern Mariana Islands. Capital cities: $1,328 in Papeete vs $794 in Saipan.

National salary averages: $1,977 in French Polynesia, $1,005 in the Northern Mariana Islands. Higher pay doesn’t always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 47% higher in French Polynesia.

Dining out costs 81% more in French Polynesia.

Salaries are 97% higher in French Polynesia, and purchasing power comes out stronger in French Polynesia.

Good to know

🇵🇫 French Polynesia

🇲🇵 Northern Mariana Islands

🕒 Local time

18:57 6:57 PM

14:57 2:57 PM

20 h ahead of French Polynesia

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

278,786

47,329

💱 Currency

CFP Franc XPF Fr

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 XPF = 9.41 USD

1,000 XPF = 8.4 EUR

1 USD = 0.893 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to XPF – CFP Franc Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🌐 CFP Franc (Fr)

CFP Franc exchange rates as of October 31, 2026: 1 USD = 106 XPF (1,000 XPF = 9.41 USD). 1 EUR = 119 XPF (1,000 XPF = 8.4 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 31, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.893 EUR).

USD to XPF in detail →

On the map

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Between locations

French Polynesia Northern Mariana Islands 7,970 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight

From you

French Polynesia
Northern Mariana Islands

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

French Polynesia vs Northern Mariana Islands: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

At $2,315 per month in French Polynesia and $1,762 in the Northern Mariana Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands comes out about 24% cheaper. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.

Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $1,170 in French Polynesia and $794 in the Northern Mariana Islands. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.

In the Northern Mariana Islands, $2,000 covers most cities easily; in French Polynesia it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you’ll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.

It depends on what you’re after: the Northern Mariana Islands wins on affordability, while salaries, visas, language, and lifestyle can tip the balance either way.