Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Papeete and Wasilla, AK

For one person, living is cheaper in Papeete: $2,288 a month against $2,898 in Wasilla, AK, rent and utilities included – about $7,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Papeete, French Polynesia
Wasilla, AK, United States
Papeete
🇵🇫 French Polynesia
$2,288
/mo nomad
Wasilla, AK
🇺🇸 United States
$2,898
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Papeete and in Wasilla, AK

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Papeete and in Wasilla, AK actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,288 per month in Papeete vs $2,898 in Wasilla, AK, rent included.

  • Papeete $2,288
  • Wasilla, AK $2,898

A couple spends around $3,451 per month in Papeete vs $4,103 in Wasilla, AK, rent included.

  • Papeete $3,451
  • Wasilla, AK $4,103

A family of three spends $4,615 per month in Papeete vs $5,309 in Wasilla, AK, rent included.

  • Papeete $4,615
  • Wasilla, AK $5,309

Papeete is about 21% cheaper than Wasilla, AK, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both Papeete and Wasilla, AK sit above the global median – Papeete by 69%, Wasilla, AK by 114%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Papeete
Wasilla, AK
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.66 CFPF 1,978
$24.85 $24.85
-24.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$94.0 CFPF 9,964
$100 $100
-6.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.69 CFPF 1,558
$11.93 $11.93
23.13%
Cappuccino
$3.41 CFPF 362
$4.07 $4.07
-16.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66 CFPF 282
$2.04 $2.04
30.39%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32 CFPF 352
$1.95 $1.95
70.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.27 CFPF 347
$5.36 $5.36
-38.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 CFPF 388
$7.90 $7.90
-53.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Papeete
Wasilla, AK
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 CFPF 160
$1.20 $1.20
25.83%
White Bread (500g)
$2.64 CFPF 280
$3.07 $3.07
-14.01%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.60 CFPF 169
$6.14 $6.14
-73.94%
Eggs
$6.15 CFPF 652
$3.37 $3.37
82.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$27.95 CFPF 2,963
$13.40 $13.40
108.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.32 CFPF 1,624
$10.57 $10.57
44.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$26.41 CFPF 2,800
$15.70 $15.70
68.22%
Apples (1kg)
$4.61 CFPF 489
$8.15 $8.15
-43.44%
Banana (1kg)
$2.49 CFPF 264
$2.14 $2.14
16.36%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.41 CFPF 679
$3.88 $3.88
65.21%
Tomato (1kg)
$8.04 CFPF 853
$4.45 $4.45
80.67%
Potato (1kg)
$2.65 CFPF 281
$2.60 $2.60
1.92%
Onion (1kg)
$2.19 CFPF 232
$3.06 $3.06
-28.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.68 CFPF 390
$2.71 $2.71
35.79%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.15 CFPF 122
$2.27 $2.27
-49.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.91 CFPF 1,368
$12.93 $12.93
-0.15%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.44 CFPF 2,273
$19.09 $19.09
12.31%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.83 CFPF 300
$1.70 $1.70
66.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09 CFPF 328
$3.45 $3.45
-10.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Papeete
Wasilla, AK
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.84 CFPF 195
$2.03 $2.03
-9.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$59.8 $59.8
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$9.35 CFPF 991
$5.99 $5.99
56.09%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$1.72 $1.72
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$37.93 $37.93
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 CFPF 153
$1.00 $1.00
45.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9K CFPF 2.0M
$25.9K $25.9K
-26.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.3K CFPF 3.0M
$25.7K $25.7K
10.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Papeete
Wasilla, AK
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$180 CFPF 19.1K
$265 $265
-32.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.61 CFPF 2,079
$47.66 $47.66
-58.85%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.9 CFPF 7,518
$140 $140
-49.42%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Papeete
Wasilla, AK
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$84.7 CFPF 8,984
$85.0 $85.0
-0.35%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$34.87 $34.87
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.79 CFPF 1,462
$8.44 $8.44
63.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Papeete
Wasilla, AK
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$470 CFPF 49.8K
$1,260 $1,260
-62.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,485 CFPF 1.0M
$15.9K $15.9K
-40.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Papeete
Wasilla, AK
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.6 CFPF 7,165
$48.47 $48.47
39.43%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$71.1 CFPF 7,542
$45.86 $45.86
55.12%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.1 CFPF 8,380
$79.6 $79.6
-0.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.6 CFPF 9,390
$91.8 $91.8
-3.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Papeete
Wasilla, AK
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,332 CFPF 141.2K
$1,416 $1,416
-5.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$949 CFPF 100.6K
$1,380 $1,380
-31.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,839 CFPF 194.9K
$1,986 $1,986
-7.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,509 CFPF 159.9K
$1,981 $1,981
-23.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,054 CFPF 747.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$7,560 CFPF 801.5K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Papeete
Wasilla, AK
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,191 CFPF 232.3K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.5
6.49
-30.66%

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

Last update for Papeete: October 31, 2026

Last update for Wasilla, AK: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Papeete
$949
Wasilla, AK
$1.4K 45.5% $432
Groceries & Markets
Papeete
$520
Wasilla, AK
$418 19.7% $102
Eating Out
Papeete
$282
Wasilla, AK
$342 21.3% $60
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Papeete
$271
Wasilla, AK
$453 67.6% $183
Clothing & Footwear
Papeete
$138
Wasilla, AK
$120 13.3% $18
Sport & Entertainment
Papeete
$112
Wasilla, AK
$102 9.3% $10
Getting Around
Papeete
$17 *
Wasilla, AK
$83 394% $66

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,332 in Papeete versus $1,416 in Wasilla, AK. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $94 in Papeete versus $100 in Wasilla, AK. Groceries tell a different story – $520 in Papeete vs $418 in Wasilla, AK – so Wasilla, AK wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇵🇫 Papeete
🇺🇸 Wasilla, AK
🕒 Local time
01:46 1:46 AM
02:46 2:46 AM
1 h ahead of Papeete
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
26,050 Capital
9,000
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to XPF – CFP Franc Converter

CFP Franc exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 106 XPF (1,000 XPF = 9.43 USD). 1 EUR = 119 XPF (1,000 XPF = 8.4 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Papeete Wasilla, AK 8,800 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Papeete
  • Wasilla, AK

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Papeete vs Wasilla, AK: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Papeete cheaper than Wasilla, AK?
Yes – Wasilla, AK is pricier by about 27%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in utilities.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,432 per month in Papeete and $4,346 in Wasilla, AK. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What is the rent difference between Papeete and Wasilla, AK?
A central 1-bedroom goes for about $1,332 in Papeete and $1,416 in Wasilla, AK. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.
What are total monthly expenses in Papeete and in Wasilla, AK?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,288 in Papeete and $2,898 in Wasilla, AK. That makes Papeete about 21% cheaper.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $470 per month in Papeete and $1,260 in Wasilla, AK. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is Papeete or Wasilla, AK more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Papeete – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Papeete vs other spots: cost of living compared

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