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

😐 Solo nomad: Lae is 87% more expensive than Lihir Island without rent, and 394% more expensive with rent.

😐 Family of 3: Lae is 134.6% more expensive than Lihir Island without rent, and 107.9% more expensive with rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.32 PGK 44.06

$4.78 PGK 20.41

115.90%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$56.3 PGK 240

$28.76 PGK 123

95.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.06 PGK 25.87

Cappuccino

$2.83 PGK 12.09

$2.43 PGK 10.36

16.46%

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

$0.87 PGK 3.73

$0.69 PGK 2.96

26.09%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.59 PGK 2.51

$0.70 PGK 3.01

-15.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.68 PGK 15.72

$3.61 PGK 15.42

1.94%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.93 PGK 25.32

$2.35 PGK 10.05

152.34%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.11 PGK 8.99

$1.70 PGK 7.26

24.12%

White Bread (500g)

$1.57 PGK 6.72

$1.42 PGK 6.04

10.56%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.39 PGK 5.95

$1.40 PGK 6.00

-0.71%

Eggs

$4.34 PGK 18.54

$2.34 PGK 10.00

85.47%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.25 PGK 43.78

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.88 PGK 42.21

$4.40 PGK 18.79

124.55%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.42 PGK 48.74

$2.44 PGK 10.41

368.03%

Apples (1kg)

$4.86 PGK 20.74

Banana (1kg)

$3.04 PGK 12.99

$1.47 PGK 6.27

106.80%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.54 PGK 27.91

Tomato (1kg)

$1.72 PGK 7.34

Potato (1kg)

$3.82 PGK 16.32

$2.39 PGK 10.19

59.83%

Onion (1kg)

$2.48 PGK 10.58

$0.98 PGK 4.19

153.06%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 PGK 3.16

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 PGK 4.22

$0.50 PGK 2.13

98.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.06 PGK 30.14

$6.02 PGK 25.71

17.28%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.89 PGK 55.1

$9.22 PGK 39.35

39.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.73 PGK 11.64

$2.37 PGK 10.12

15.19%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.56 PGK 19.45

$2.45 PGK 10.46

86.12%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.37 PGK 1.59

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.15 PGK 4.93

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$7,981 PGK 34.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$742 PGK 3,169

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,412 PGK 6,029

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$163 PGK 695

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

Last update for Lae: January 12, 2026

Last update for Lihir Island: January 12, 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

Similar cities

Phuket

🇹🇭 Thailand

Playa del Carmen

🇲🇽 Mexico

Tbilisi

🇬🇪 Georgia

Cape Town

🇿🇦 South Africa

Kuta, Bali

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Cemagi, Bali

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Bali

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Ankara

🇹🇷 Turkey