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

🙂 Solo nomad: Lihir Island is 46.5% cheaper than Lae without rent, and 79.8% cheaper with rent.

🙂 Family of 3: Lihir Island is 57.4% cheaper than Lae without rent, and 51.9% cheaper with rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.78 PGK 20.41

$10.32 PGK 44.06

-53.68%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.76 PGK 123

$56.3 PGK 240

-48.87%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.06 PGK 25.87

Cappuccino

$2.43 PGK 10.36

$2.83 PGK 12.09

-14.13%

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

$0.69 PGK 2.96

$0.87 PGK 3.73

-20.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 PGK 3.01

$0.59 PGK 2.51

18.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.61 PGK 15.42

$3.68 PGK 15.72

-1.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 PGK 10.05

$5.93 PGK 25.32

-60.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 PGK 7.26

$2.11 PGK 8.99

-19.43%

White Bread (500g)

$1.42 PGK 6.04

$1.57 PGK 6.72

-9.55%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 PGK 6.00

$1.39 PGK 5.95

0.72%

Eggs

$2.34 PGK 10.00

$4.34 PGK 18.54

-46.08%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.25 PGK 43.78

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.40 PGK 18.79

$9.88 PGK 42.21

-55.47%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$2.44 PGK 10.41

$11.42 PGK 48.74

-78.63%

Apples (1kg)

$4.86 PGK 20.74

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 PGK 6.27

$3.04 PGK 12.99

-51.64%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.54 PGK 27.91

Tomato (1kg)

$1.72 PGK 7.34

Potato (1kg)

$2.39 PGK 10.19

$3.82 PGK 16.32

-37.43%

Onion (1kg)

$0.98 PGK 4.19

$2.48 PGK 10.58

-60.48%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 PGK 3.16

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 PGK 2.13

$0.99 PGK 4.22

-49.49%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.02 PGK 25.71

$7.06 PGK 30.14

-14.73%

Wine (Bottle)

$9.22 PGK 39.35

$12.89 PGK 55.1

-28.47%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 PGK 10.12

$2.73 PGK 11.64

-13.19%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.45 PGK 10.46

$4.56 PGK 19.45

-46.27%

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 Lihir Island: January 12, 2026

Last update for Lae: 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

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