Cost of Living Comparison Between Madang and Lae Cost of Living Comparison Between Madang and Lae

😐 Solo nomad: Madang is 6.2% more expensive than Lae without rent, and 56% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Madang is 12% cheaper than Lae without rent, and 35.1% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Madang
Lae
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.61 PGK 28.62
$10.45 PGK 45.24
-36.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.03 PGK 169
$56.3 PGK 244
-30.61%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.97 PGK 47.50
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.46 PGK 10.67
$2.94 PGK 12.73
-16.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21 PGK 5.26
$0.87 PGK 3.75
39.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 PGK 3.25
$0.62 PGK 2.68
20.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.91 PGK 12.62
$3.66 PGK 15.85
-20.49%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25 PGK 18.40
$5.74 PGK 24.87
-25.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Madang
Lae
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.94 PGK 8.41
$2.11 PGK 9.12
-8.06%
White Bread (500g)
$1.47 PGK 6.38
$1.52 PGK 6.59
-3.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.43 PGK 6.19
$1.41 PGK 6.10
1.42%
Eggs
$3.31 PGK 14.34
$4.18 PGK 18.11
-20.81%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$9.94 PGK 43.02
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.91 PGK 25.57
$10.04 PGK 43.45
-41.14%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.18 PGK 35.40
$11.42 PGK 49.44
-28.37%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 PGK 22.36
$4.77 PGK 20.67
8.18%
Banana (1kg)
$2.46 PGK 10.63
$3.03 PGK 13.13
-18.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.97 PGK 4.22
$6.44 PGK 27.89
-84.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.87 PGK 8.11
$1.71 PGK 7.39
9.36%
Potato (1kg)
$4.83 PGK 20.93
$3.67 PGK 15.88
31.61%
Onion (1kg)
$2.85 PGK 12.36
$2.56 PGK 11.09
11.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$6.06 PGK 26.25
$0.73 PGK 3.17
730.14%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46 PGK 2.00
$0.94 PGK 4.08
-51.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.27 PGK 22.83
$7.17 PGK 31.06
-26.50%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.54 PGK 49.96
$12.96 PGK 56.1
-10.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10 PGK 9.09
$2.71 PGK 11.74
-22.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39 PGK 10.34
$4.59 PGK 19.86
-47.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Madang
Lae
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.37 PGK 1.62
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.11 PGK 4.81
$1.11 PGK 4.80
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Madang
Lae
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$68.0 PGK 294
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.57 PGK 102
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Madang
Lae
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$79.0 PGK 342
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,018 PGK 26.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Madang
Lae
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.51 PGK 84.5
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.60 PGK 63.2
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$67.3 PGK 291
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.28 PGK 122
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Madang
Lae
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$7,995 PGK 34.6K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$745 PGK 3,226
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$972 PGK 4,210
$1,444 PGK 6,251
-32.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$604 PGK 2,614
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Madang
Lae
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$227 PGK 985
$164 PGK 710
38.62%

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

Last update for Madang: April 13, 2026

Last update for Lae: April 12, 2026

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

Madang vs other spots: cost of living compared

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