Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between the Solomon Islands and Micronesia

For one person, living costs are similar in the Solomon Islands and in Micronesia: $1,908 and $1,979 a month, rent and utilities included.

🇸🇧 Solomon Islands
$1,908
/mo nomad
🇫🇲 Micronesia
$1,979
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in the Solomon Islands and in Micronesia

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

A single person spends $1,908 per month in the Solomon Islands vs $1,979 in Micronesia, rent included.

  • Solomon Islands $1,908
  • Micronesia $1,979

A couple spends around $2,956 per month in the Solomon Islands vs $2,856 in Micronesia, rent included.

  • Solomon Islands $2,956
  • Micronesia $2,856

A family of three spends $4,005 per month in the Solomon Islands vs $3,732 in Micronesia, rent included.

  • Solomon Islands $4,005
  • Micronesia $3,732

The regional cost range is wider in Micronesia ($1,033–$1,892) than in the Solomon Islands ($1,713–$2,179), so city choice matters more there.

The cost of living in the Solomon Islands is roughly 4% lower than in Micronesia on average.

Both the Solomon Islands and Micronesia are pricier than the global median – the Solomon Islands by 41%, Micronesia by 46%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Solomon Islands
Micronesia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.03 SBD 48.64
$21.10 $21.10
-71.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$65.0 SBD 524
$44.42 $44.42
46.35%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.20 SBD 98.3
$8.91 $8.91
36.92%
Cappuccino
$3.26 SBD 26.25
$3.95 $3.95
-17.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43 SBD 11.55
$1.38 $1.38
3.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15 SBD 9.29
$2.91 $2.91
-60.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.72 SBD 21.97
$1.11 $1.11
145.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.77 SBD 38.46
$1.98 $1.98
140.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Solomon Islands
Micronesia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.83 SBD 22.81
$0.25 $0.25
1032.00%
White Bread (500g)
$1.53 SBD 12.34
$2.77 $2.77
-44.77%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.62 SBD 13.02
$2.90 $2.90
-44.14%
Eggs
$5.62 SBD 45.29
$7.40 $7.40
-24.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.00 SBD 56.5
$6.28 $6.28
11.46%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.84 SBD 63.2
$11.42 $11.42
-31.35%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.39 SBD 116
$11.14 $11.14
29.17%
Apples (1kg)
$6.57 SBD 53.0
$5.79 $5.79
13.47%
Banana (1kg)
$2.68 SBD 21.60
$3.51 $3.51
-23.65%
Oranges (1kg)
$7.87 SBD 63.5
$5.55 $5.55
41.80%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.67 SBD 29.55
$6.01 $6.01
-38.94%
Potato (1kg)
$2.19 SBD 17.65
$7.92 $7.92
-72.35%
Onion (1kg)
$3.26 SBD 26.32
$3.04 $3.04
7.24%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.64 SBD 13.19
$4.62 $4.62
-64.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.20 SBD 9.67
$1.54 $1.54
-22.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.24 SBD 34.16
$13.76 $13.76
-69.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.45 SBD 100
$6.94 $6.94
79.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79 SBD 14.42
$2.26 $2.26
-20.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.36 SBD 27.05
$1.97 $1.97
70.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Solomon Islands
Micronesia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 SBD 2.90
$0.97 $0.97
-62.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.35 SBD 253
$27.86 $27.86
12.53%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 SBD 10.28
$6.28 $6.28
-79.78%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.21 SBD 9.77
$1.42 $1.42
-14.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.32 SBD 99.3
$4.84 $4.84
154.55%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.37 SBD 11.04
$3.07 $3.07
-55.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.8K SBD 159.4K
$4,016 $4,016
392.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1K SBD 226.9K
$3,971 $3,971
608.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Solomon Islands
Micronesia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$540 SBD 4,353
$135 $135
298.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.55 SBD 190
$31.63 $31.63
-25.55%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$99.8 SBD 805
$219 $219
-54.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Solomon Islands
Micronesia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$27.42 SBD 221
$24.97 $24.97
9.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.84 SBD 71.3
$34.96 $34.96
-74.71%
Cinema Ticket
$4.31 SBD 34.74
$6.82 $6.82
-36.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Solomon Islands
Micronesia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$126 SBD 1,018
$151 $151
-16.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,349 SBD 18.9K
$1,657 $1,657
41.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Solomon Islands
Micronesia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.89 SBD 217
$40.70 $40.70
-33.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$94.3 SBD 761
$55.3 $55.3
70.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.4 SBD 777
$86.5 $86.5
11.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$100 SBD 809
$90.9 $90.9
10.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Solomon Islands
Micronesia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$597 SBD 4,816
$974 $974
-38.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$519 SBD 4,182
$738 $738
-29.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,608 SBD 13.0K
$1,486 $1,486
8.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,379 SBD 11.1K
$1,163 $1,163
18.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$86.7K SBD 698.7K
$1,153 $1,153
7414.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$61.7K SBD 497.6K
$841 $841
7242.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Solomon Islands
Micronesia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$471 SBD 3,800
$291 $291
62.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
17.78
393333.33
-100.00%

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

Last update for the Solomon Islands: October 17, 2026

Last update for Micronesia: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Solomon Islands
$663
Micronesia
$386 41.8% $278
Accommodation & Living
Solomon Islands
$519
Micronesia
$738 42.3% $219
Groceries & Markets
Solomon Islands
$349
Micronesia
$379 8.5% $30
Eating Out
Solomon Islands
$157
Micronesia
$270 71.2% $112
Clothing & Footwear
Solomon Islands
$143
Micronesia
$123 14% $20
Getting Around
Solomon Islands
$40
Micronesia
$45 12.6% $5
Sport & Entertainment
Solomon Islands
$36
Micronesia
$39 7.2% $2.6

Cost Breakdown

Average salary: $409 in the Solomon Islands vs $287 in Micronesia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 14% higher in the Solomon Islands.

Dining out costs 32% more in the Solomon Islands.

Public transport is 100% more expensive in the Solomon Islands.

Salaries are 43% higher in the Solomon Islands.

Good to know
🇸🇧 Solomon Islands
🇫🇲 Micronesia
🕒 Local time
14:15 2:15 PM
14:15 2:15 PM
Same time as the Solomon Islands
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
611,343
105,544
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to SBD – Solomon Islands Dollar Converter

Solomon Islands Dollar exchange rates as of October 25, 2026: 1 USD = 8.06 SBD (1 SBD = 0.124 USD). 1 EUR = 9.06 SBD (1 SBD = 0.11 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 25, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Solomon Islands Micronesia 1,830 km ≈ 2 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Solomon Islands
  • Micronesia

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
Solomon Islands vs Micronesia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Micronesia more expensive than the Solomon Islands?
The Solomon Islands is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 4% lower on average.
Is everything cheaper in the Solomon Islands?
Not necessarily. Overall, Micronesia costs about 4% more, but the gap varies by category, and some expenses can be lower in Micronesia. Compare the categories that matter most for your budget.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Micronesia or in the Solomon Islands?
$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in the Solomon Islands, but in Micronesia it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Micronesia or to the Solomon Islands?
The Solomon Islands is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

Solomon Islands vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar countries

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?