Cost of Living Comparison Between Lae and Lihir Island Cost of Living Comparison Between Lae and Lihir Island

😐 Solo nomad: Lae is 116.6% more expensive than Lihir Island without rent, and 392.9% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Lae is 128.2% more expensive than Lihir Island without rent, and 109% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lae
Lihir Island
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.68 PGK 43.6
$4.66 PGK 19.03
129.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.7 PGK 227
$28.23 PGK 115
97.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.94 PGK 24.25
-
Cappuccino
$2.92 PGK 11.94
$2.35 PGK 9.61
24.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 PGK 3.55
$0.73 PGK 2.99
19.18%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59 PGK 2.4
$0.69 PGK 2.83
-14.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.68 PGK 15
$3.51 PGK 14.33
4.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.63 PGK 22.99
$2.35 PGK 9.59
139.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lae
Lihir Island
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.11 PGK 8.61
$1.69 PGK 6.9
24.85%
White Bread (500g)
$1.55 PGK 6.33
$1.42 PGK 5.81
9.15%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.42 PGK 5.78
$1.42 PGK 5.79
-
Eggs
$4.32 PGK 17.63
$2.33 PGK 9.51
85.41%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.09 PGK 41.21
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.62 PGK 39.28
$4.35 PGK 17.75
121.15%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.32 PGK 46.21
$2.42 PGK 9.89
367.77%
Apples (1kg)
$4.71 PGK 19.24
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$2.93 PGK 11.95
$1.41 PGK 5.74
107.80%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.41 PGK 26.17
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.64 PGK 6.69
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$3.67 PGK 14.96
$2.33 PGK 9.52
57.51%
Onion (1kg)
$2.55 PGK 10.4
$0.93 PGK 3.81
174.19%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.75 PGK 3.07
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94 PGK 3.84
$0.5 PGK 2.04
88.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.02 PGK 28.68
$5.83 PGK 23.8
20.41%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.11 PGK 53.5
$9.2 PGK 37.57
42.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 PGK 11.04
$2.35 PGK 9.59
14.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.8 PGK 19.58
$2.35 PGK 9.58
104.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Lae
Lihir Island
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 PGK 1.41
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 PGK 4.72
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lae
Lihir Island
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$7,981 PGK 32.6K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$736 PGK 3,004
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,456 PGK 5,942
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lae
Lihir Island
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$164 PGK 669
-
-

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

Last update for Lae: October 28, 2025

Last update for Lihir Island: October 27, 2025

Similar cities

Join the CityCost newsletter – low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.