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

😐 Solo nomad: Lae is 69.9% more expensive than Lihir Island without rent, and 404% more expensive with rent.

😐 Family of 3: Lae is 91.1% more expensive than Lihir Island without rent, and 104.2% more expensive with rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.68 PGK 45.94

$4.88 PGK 20.99

118.85%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$54.9 PGK 236

$29.18 PGK 125

88.07%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.04 PGK 25.98

Cappuccino

$2.80 PGK 12.05

$2.36 PGK 10.16

18.64%

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

$0.81 PGK 3.46

$0.69 PGK 2.98

17.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.58 PGK 2.49

$0.70 PGK 3.01

-17.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.56 PGK 15.30

$3.65 PGK 15.69

-2.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.79 PGK 24.90

$2.38 PGK 10.21

143.28%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.10 PGK 9.05

$1.69 PGK 7.27

24.26%

White Bread (500g)

$1.53 PGK 6.56

$1.40 PGK 6.04

9.29%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 PGK 6.10

$1.48 PGK 6.37

-4.05%

Eggs

$4.19 PGK 18.03

$2.27 PGK 9.76

84.58%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.23 PGK 44.00

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.92 PGK 42.67

$4.43 PGK 19.03

123.93%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.34 PGK 48.78

$2.35 PGK 10.11

382.55%

Apples (1kg)

$4.84 PGK 20.80

Banana (1kg)

$3.02 PGK 12.97

$1.46 PGK 6.26

106.85%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.74 PGK 29.00

Tomato (1kg)

$1.66 PGK 7.14

Potato (1kg)

$3.70 PGK 15.92

$2.37 PGK 10.17

56.12%

Onion (1kg)

$2.46 PGK 10.57

$0.99 PGK 4.24

148.48%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.73 PGK 3.15

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.94 PGK 4.06

$0.50 PGK 2.13

88.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.17 PGK 30.83

$6.02 PGK 25.89

19.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.71 PGK 54.6

$9.44 PGK 40.59

34.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.68 PGK 11.53

$2.43 PGK 10.45

10.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.70 PGK 20.22

$2.46 PGK 10.57

91.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 PGK 1.48

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.13 PGK 4.86

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$7,964 PGK 34.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$763 PGK 3,279

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,456 PGK 6,261

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$161 PGK 692

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

Last update for Lae: March 1, 2026

Last update for Lihir Island: March 1, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated December 2025)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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