Cost of Living Comparison Between Pohnpei and Kolonia Cost of Living Comparison Between Pohnpei and Kolonia

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,683 in Pohnpei versus $1,533 in Kolonia.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,512 in Pohnpei versus $2,268 in Kolonia.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,341 in Pohnpei versus $3,002 in Kolonia.

Living in Pohnpei is roughly 10% more expensive than in Kolonia, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Pohnpei 23% above, Kolonia 12% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.47 $11.47

$9.81 $9.81

16.92%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.70 $45.70

$25.33 $25.33

80.42%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.41 $7.41

$10.19 $10.19

-27.28%

Cappuccino

$2.91 $2.91

$4.37 $4.37

-33.41%

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

$1.22 $1.22

$0.98 $0.98

24.49%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 $3.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.26 $1.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.94 $2.94

$1.98 $1.98

48.48%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.27 $0.27

White Bread (500g)

$3.25 $3.25

$1.94 $1.94

67.53%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.17 $1.17

152.99%

Eggs

$7.32 $7.32

$7.36 $7.36

-0.54%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.20 $7.20

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.92 $4.92

$24.64 $24.64

-80.03%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.48 $11.48

$65.8 $65.8

-82.55%

Apples (1kg)

$5.91 $5.91

$6.75 $6.75

-12.44%

Banana (1kg)

$3.59 $3.59

$2.21 $2.21

62.44%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.63 $5.63

$6.53 $6.53

-13.78%

Tomato (1kg)

$10.94 $10.94

Potato (1kg)

$5.01 $5.01

$13.16 $13.16

-61.93%

Onion (1kg)

$5.10 $5.10

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.77 $3.77

$5.90 $5.90

-36.10%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 $1.02

$2.03 $2.03

-49.75%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.94 $8.94

Wine (Bottle)

$2.92 $2.92

$9.03 $9.03

-67.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 $1.46

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.46 $1.46

69.18%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.97 $0.97

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.06 $5.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.25 $1.25

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.92 $3.92

Gasoline (1 liter)

$3.75 $3.75

$1.45 $1.45

158.62%

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

$138 $138

$200 $200

-31.17%

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

$40.25 $40.25

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$202 $202

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.13 $20.13

$15.08 $15.08

33.49%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$50.9 $50.9

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

$167 $167

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$79.0 $79.0

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$67.4 $67.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$109 $109

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.4 $98.4

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$901 $901

$712 $712

26.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$615 $615

$492 $492

24.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$983 $983

60.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,202 $1,202

$808 $808

48.72%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$354 $354

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

360000

400000

-10.00%

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

Last update for Pohnpei: September 14, 2026

Last update for Kolonia: September 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $901 in Pohnpei and $712 in Kolonia. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $46.00 in Pohnpei vs $25.00 in Kolonia. Groceries flip the comparison at $294 vs $618, with Pohnpei cheaper for home cooking.

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

Pohnpei vs Kolonia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kolonia wins on cost – living expenses run 10% lower than in Pohnpei. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kolonia the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $2,524 in Pohnpei and $2,299 in Kolonia to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Rent for a central apartment: $901 in Pohnpei versus $712 in Kolonia. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you'll spend $1,683 per month in Pohnpei versus $1,533 in Kolonia – a 10% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Shoppers in Pohnpei pay roughly 110% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

At $1,533 in Kolonia versus $1,683 in Pohnpei, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Kolonia but tight or insufficient in Pohnpei. The gap between the two cities makes Kolonia the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Pohnpei and Kolonia are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Kolonia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 10% less than in Pohnpei. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.