Cost of Living Comparison Between Port Moresby and Lihir Island Cost of Living Comparison Between Port Moresby and Lihir Island

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.72 PGK 33.55

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.79 PGK 199

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.78 PGK 25.10

Cappuccino

$2.47 PGK 10.72

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

$0.75 PGK 3.24

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 PGK 3.01

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.06 PGK 13.30

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 PGK 16.05

Milk (1 liter)

$1.88 PGK 8.18

White Bread (500g)

$1.53 PGK 6.63

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.45 PGK 6.29

Eggs

$3.62 PGK 15.72

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.90 PGK 38.67

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.17 PGK 22.45

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.10 PGK 39.54

Apples (1kg)

$4.12 PGK 17.92

Banana (1kg)

$3.07 PGK 13.35

Oranges (1kg)

$5.85 PGK 25.44

Tomato (1kg)

$6.15 PGK 26.74

Potato (1kg)

$3.29 PGK 14.30

Onion (1kg)

$2.60 PGK 11.29

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.09 PGK 9.09

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 PGK 5.43

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.17 PGK 26.81

Wine (Bottle)

$11.58 PGK 50.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.75 PGK 11.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.44 PGK 14.97

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.43 PGK 1.89

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.32 PGK 97.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.70 PGK 24.75

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.27 PGK 9.88

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$15.46 PGK 67.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 PGK 4.32

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

$21.5K PGK 93.4K

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

$17.9K PGK 77.6K

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

$121 PGK 525

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

$23.52 PGK 102

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$94.5 PGK 410

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.0 PGK 265

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.17 PGK 96.3

Cinema Ticket

$9.21 PGK 40.02

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

$855 PGK 3,714

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,169 PGK 26.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$32.67 PGK 142

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.53 PGK 141

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$137 PGK 595

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$165 PGK 716

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,633 PGK 7,096

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$556 PGK 2,414

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,740 PGK 11.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,155 PGK 5,018

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,043 PGK 8,879

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,781 PGK 16.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$429 PGK 1,863

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.17

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

Last update for Port Moresby: September 13, 2026

Last update for Lihir Island: September 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

Port Moresby vs Lihir Island: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

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, Port Moresby makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.