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

Name: Northern Mariana Islands
Address: MP

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $789 in French Polynesia versus $1,745 in Northern Mariana Islands.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,191 in French Polynesia versus $2,588 in Northern Mariana Islands.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,593 in French Polynesia versus $3,430 in Northern Mariana Islands.

Living in French Polynesia costs about 55% less than in Northern Mariana Islands on average.

French Polynesia (41% below) and Northern Mariana Islands (30% above) straddle the global median.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.72 CFPF 1,604

$11.40 $11.40

37.89%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.1 CFPF 8,174

$39.60 $39.60

102.27%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.30 CFPF 1,256

$12.06 $12.06

1.99%

Cappuccino

$4.39 CFPF 448

$5.19 $5.19

-15.41%

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

$2.64 CFPF 270

$1.71 $1.71

54.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 CFPF 217

$1.34 $1.34

58.96%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.98 CFPF 508

$6.15 $6.15

-19.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.79 CFPF 489

$5.97 $5.97

-19.77%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.50 CFPF 153

$2.29 $2.29

-34.50%

White Bread (500g)

$2.85 CFPF 290

$3.24 $3.24

-12.04%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.62 CFPF 166

$44.11 $44.11

-96.33%

Eggs

$7.08 CFPF 722

$6.25 $6.25

13.28%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$38.96 CFPF 3,976

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.98 CFPF 1,733

$13.42 $13.42

26.53%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$26.65 CFPF 2,719

Apples (1kg)

$5.46 CFPF 557

$6.74 $6.74

-18.99%

Banana (1kg)

$2.36 CFPF 240

$2.15 $2.15

9.77%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.74 CFPF 688

$6.48 $6.48

4.01%

Tomato (1kg)

$7.71 CFPF 786

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 CFPF 300

$2.10 $2.10

40.00%

Onion (1kg)

$2.66 CFPF 271

$2.33 $2.33

14.16%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.95 CFPF 403

$5.01 $5.01

-21.16%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 CFPF 114

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.05 CFPF 1,230

Wine (Bottle)

$24.35 CFPF 2,485

$15.13 $15.13

60.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 CFPF 266

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.76 CFPF 485

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.90 CFPF 194

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.75 CFPF 995

$6.55 $6.55

48.85%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.82 $1.82

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 CFPF 160

$1.46 $1.46

7.53%

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

$19.2K CFPF 2.0M

$37.0K $37.0K

-48.13%

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

$29.1K CFPF 3.0M

$22.8K $22.8K

27.89%

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

$178 CFPF 18.2K

$330 $330

-46.02%

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

$17.18 CFPF 1,753

$65.3 $65.3

-73.70%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$105 CFPF 10.8K

$58.9 $58.9

79.02%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.4 CFPF 7,696

$47.19 $47.19

59.82%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.92 CFPF 1,828

Cinema Ticket

$14.42 CFPF 1,471

$7.89 $7.89

82.76%

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

$488 CFPF 49.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,572 CFPF 976.7K

$6,106 $6,106

56.77%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$98.4 CFPF 10.0K

$29.45 $29.45

234.16%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$86.0 CFPF 8,780

$39.64 $39.64

117.05%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 CFPF 11.3K

$69.4 $69.4

59.52%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 CFPF 10.8K

$55.3 $55.3

90.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,315 CFPF 134.2K

$634 $634

107.56%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,085 CFPF 110.7K

$442 $442

145.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,127 CFPF 217.0K

$1,059 $1,059

100.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,829 CFPF 186.6K

$964 $964

89.66%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,666 CFPF 884.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,771 CFPF 793.0K

$13.1K $13.1K

-40.61%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,980 CFPF 202.1K

$998 $998

98.50%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.4

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

Last update for French Polynesia: April 27, 2026

Last update for Northern Mariana Islands: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $537 in French Polynesia, $637 in Northern Mariana Islands. Capital cities: $1,240 in Papeete vs $637 in Saipan.

National salary averages: $2,115 in French Polynesia, $997 in Northern Mariana Islands. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 19% higher in Northern Mariana Islands.

Dining out costs 111% more in Northern Mariana Islands.

Salaries are 112% higher in French Polynesia, giving French Polynesia stronger purchasing power.

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 $1,165 per month in French Polynesia and $1,745 in Northern Mariana Islands, there's a 50% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.

French Polynesia is simply cheaper day-to-day: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.

Rent in Northern Mariana Islands beats French Polynesia across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.

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

It depends on what you're after. French Polynesia wins on affordability; Northern Mariana Islands may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.