Cost of Living Comparison Between Kolonia and Pohnpei Cost of Living Comparison Between Kolonia and Pohnpei

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,533 in Kolonia versus $1,683 in Pohnpei.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,268 in Kolonia versus $2,512 in Pohnpei.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,002 in Kolonia versus $3,341 in Pohnpei.

Living in Kolonia costs roughly 9% less than in Pohnpei, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Kolonia 12% above, Pohnpei 23% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.81 $9.81

$11.47 $11.47

-14.47%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.33 $25.33

$45.70 $45.70

-44.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.19 $10.19

$7.41 $7.41

37.52%

Cappuccino

$4.37 $4.37

$2.91 $2.91

50.17%

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

$0.98 $0.98

$1.22 $1.22

-19.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 $3.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.26 $1.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.94 $2.94

-32.65%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.27 $0.27

White Bread (500g)

$1.94 $1.94

$3.25 $3.25

-40.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.17 $1.17

$2.96 $2.96

-60.47%

Eggs

$7.36 $7.36

$7.32 $7.32

0.55%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.20 $7.20

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$24.64 $24.64

$4.92 $4.92

400.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$65.8 $65.8

$11.48 $11.48

473.17%

Apples (1kg)

$6.75 $6.75

$5.91 $5.91

14.21%

Banana (1kg)

$2.21 $2.21

$3.59 $3.59

-38.44%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.53 $6.53

$5.63 $5.63

15.99%

Tomato (1kg)

$10.94 $10.94

Potato (1kg)

$13.16 $13.16

$5.01 $5.01

162.67%

Onion (1kg)

$5.10 $5.10

Lettuce (1 head)

$5.90 $5.90

$3.77 $3.77

56.50%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.02 $1.02

99.02%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.94 $8.94

Wine (Bottle)

$9.03 $9.03

$2.92 $2.92

209.25%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 $1.46

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.46 $1.46

$2.47 $2.47

-40.89%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.97 $0.97

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.06 $5.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.25 $1.25

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.92 $3.92

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 $1.45

$3.75 $3.75

-61.33%

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

$200 $200

$138 $138

45.29%

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

$40.25 $40.25

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$202 $202

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$15.08 $15.08

$20.13 $20.13

-25.09%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$50.9 $50.9

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

$167 $167

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$79.0 $79.0

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$67.4 $67.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$109 $109

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.4 $98.4

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$712 $712

$901 $901

-20.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$492 $492

$615 $615

-19.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$983 $983

$1,579 $1,579

-37.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$808 $808

$1,202 $1,202

-32.76%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$354 $354

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

400000

360000

11.11%

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

Last update for Kolonia: September 15, 2026

Last update for Pohnpei: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $712 in Kolonia and $901 in Pohnpei. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $25.00 in Kolonia vs $46.00 in Pohnpei. Groceries flip the comparison at $618 vs $294, with Pohnpei cheaper for home cooking.

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

Kolonia vs Pohnpei: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kolonia wins on cost – living expenses run 10% lower than in Pohnpei. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kolonia the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $2,299 in Kolonia and $2,524 in Pohnpei to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Rent for a central apartment: $712 in Kolonia versus $901 in Pohnpei. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you'll spend $1,533 per month in Kolonia versus $1,683 in Pohnpei – a 10% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Shoppers in Pohnpei pay roughly 110% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

At $1,533 in Kolonia versus $1,683 in Pohnpei, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Kolonia but tight or insufficient in Pohnpei. The gap between the two cities makes Kolonia the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Kolonia and Pohnpei are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Kolonia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 10% less than in Pohnpei. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.