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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $233 per month in Lihir Island vs $1,126 in Boroko, rent included.

A couple spends around $428 per month in Lihir Island vs $1,565 in Boroko, rent included.

A family of three spends $623 per month in Lihir Island vs $2,004 in Boroko, rent included.

Lihir Island is about 79% cheaper than Boroko, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Lihir Island and Boroko are more affordable than the global median – Lihir Island 83% lower, Boroko 15% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.86 PGK 21.44

$8.01 PGK 35.36

-39.33%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.36 PGK 125

$39.06 PGK 172

-27.39%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.18 PGK 27.27

$5.83 PGK 25.72

6.00%

Cappuccino

$2.43 PGK 10.72

$2.29 PGK 10.12

6.11%

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

$0.75 PGK 3.30

$0.82 PGK 3.61

-8.54%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.73 PGK 3.22

$0.79 PGK 3.47

-7.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.63 PGK 16.00

$2.47 PGK 10.90

46.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.45 PGK 10.80

$4.10 PGK 18.08

-40.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 PGK 7.63

$1.71 PGK 7.54

1.17%

White Bread (500g)

$1.42 PGK 6.26

$1.30 PGK 5.74

9.23%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.48 PGK 6.52

$1.32 PGK 5.84

12.12%

Eggs

$2.31 PGK 10.20

$3.94 PGK 17.40

-41.37%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.40 PGK 19.42

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.21 PGK 18.56

$6.37 PGK 28.13

-33.91%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$2.33 PGK 10.28

$6.90 PGK 30.44

-66.23%

Apples (1kg)

$3.94 PGK 17.37

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 PGK 6.46

$2.96 PGK 13.06

-50.68%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.00 PGK 13.22

Tomato (1kg)

$2.89 PGK 12.77

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 PGK 10.78

$3.18 PGK 14.05

-23.27%

Onion (1kg)

$0.98 PGK 4.32

$0.93 PGK 4.11

5.38%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.17 PGK 5.16

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 PGK 2.22

$0.47 PGK 2.06

6.38%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.98 PGK 26.38

$6.09 PGK 26.89

-1.81%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.08 PGK 22.42

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 PGK 10.37

$1.23 PGK 5.44

91.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 PGK 10.70

$1.66 PGK 7.30

46.39%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.47 PGK 2.07

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$32.62 PGK 144

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.83 PGK 21.32

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.45 PGK 6.41

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.79 PGK 52.0

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.86 PGK 3.81

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

$22.8K PGK 100.8K

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

$24.3K PGK 107.3K

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

$66.2 PGK 292

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

$46.81 PGK 207

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$236 PGK 1,041

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.07 PGK 199

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.53 PGK 68.5

Cinema Ticket

$7.17 PGK 31.62

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

$365 PGK 1,611

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,428 PGK 10.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.84 PGK 140

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.61 PGK 64.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$47.19 PGK 208

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$28.51 PGK 126

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,607 PGK 15.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$236 PGK 1,043

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,633 PGK 16.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 PGK 1,046

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$363 PGK 1,603

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Lihir Island: July 25, 2026

Last update for Boroko: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $28.00 in Lihir Island versus $39.00 in Boroko. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $115 vs $222 – making Lihir Island the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Lihir Island vs Boroko: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Boroko costs about 383% more than Lihir Island, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $349 per month in Lihir Island and $1,689 in Boroko. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $233 in Lihir Island and $1,126 in Boroko. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 93% more in Boroko, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Lihir Island, where all-in costs run around $233, than in Boroko at $1,126. In Lihir Island it covers expenses comfortably, while in Boroko it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Lihir Island – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Lihir Island. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Boroko makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.