Cost of Living Comparison Between Solomon Islands and Micronesia Cost of Living Comparison Between Solomon Islands and Micronesia

Name: Micronesia
Address: FM

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,967 per month in Solomon Islands vs $1,514 in Micronesia, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,988 per month in Solomon Islands vs $2,216 in Micronesia, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,009 per month in Solomon Islands vs $2,917 in Micronesia, rent included.

The cost of living in Solomon Islands is about 30% higher than in Micronesia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both Solomon Islands and Micronesia are pricier than the global median – Solomon Islands by 43%, Micronesia by 10%.

The regional cost range is wider in Micronesia ($1,045–$1,873) than in Solomon Islands ($1,718–$2,216), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.37 SBD 51.0

$20.70 $20.70

-69.23%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$64.8 SBD 518

$45.44 $45.44

42.65%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.36 SBD 98.9

$8.71 $8.71

41.91%

Cappuccino

$3.44 SBD 27.51

$3.90 $3.90

-11.79%

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

$1.49 SBD 11.90

$1.34 $1.34

11.19%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.13 SBD 9.03

$3.05 $3.05

-62.95%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.82 SBD 22.58

$1.09 $1.09

158.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.76 SBD 38.10

$2.04 $2.04

133.33%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.86 SBD 22.87

$0.23 $0.23

1143.48%

White Bread (500g)

$1.48 SBD 11.82

$2.90 $2.90

-48.97%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.60 SBD 12.81

$2.76 $2.76

-42.03%

Eggs

$5.97 SBD 47.72

$7.43 $7.43

-19.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.02 SBD 56.2

$6.35 $6.35

10.55%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.05 SBD 64.4

$11.77 $11.77

-31.61%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.74 SBD 118

$11.06 $11.06

33.27%

Apples (1kg)

$6.59 SBD 52.7

$5.73 $5.73

15.01%

Banana (1kg)

$2.70 SBD 21.63

$3.39 $3.39

-20.35%

Oranges (1kg)

$8.38 SBD 67.0

$5.46 $5.46

53.48%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.71 SBD 29.68

$6.09 $6.09

-39.08%

Potato (1kg)

$2.21 SBD 17.67

$7.99 $7.99

-72.34%

Onion (1kg)

$3.41 SBD 27.25

$2.94 $2.94

15.99%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.63 SBD 13.04

$4.46 $4.46

-63.45%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.21 SBD 9.65

$1.48 $1.48

-18.24%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.33 SBD 34.62

$13.67 $13.67

-68.32%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.27 SBD 98.1

$6.61 $6.61

85.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 SBD 13.98

$2.28 $2.28

-23.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.22 SBD 25.72

$1.94 $1.94

65.98%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 SBD 2.85

$1.01 $1.01

-64.36%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$31.83 SBD 255

$27.74 $27.74

14.74%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.22 SBD 9.76

$6.32 $6.32

-80.70%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.26 SBD 10.08

$1.41 $1.41

-10.64%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.56 SBD 100

$4.70 $4.70

167.23%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 SBD 11.42

$2.93 $2.93

-51.19%

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

$20.1K SBD 160.5K

$3,963 $3,963

406.49%

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

$28.2K SBD 225.6K

$3,930 $3,930

617.82%

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

$551 SBD 4,408

$138 $138

300.85%

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

$24.42 SBD 195

$31.34 $31.34

-22.08%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$102 SBD 817

$225 $225

-54.54%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$27.59 SBD 221

$25.49 $25.49

8.24%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.31 SBD 74.5

$34.71 $34.71

-73.18%

Cinema Ticket

$4.31 SBD 34.46

$7.02 $7.02

-38.60%

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

$123 SBD 987

$153 $153

-19.07%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,325 SBD 18.6K

$1,663 $1,663

39.78%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.51 SBD 212

$42.12 $42.12

-37.06%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$94.6 SBD 756

$56.8 $56.8

66.58%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.4 SBD 795

$86.8 $86.8

14.51%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 SBD 808

$91.6 $91.6

10.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$599 SBD 4,793

$981 $981

-38.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$522 SBD 4,173

$722 $722

-27.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,603 SBD 12.8K

$1,476 $1,476

8.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,349 SBD 10.8K

$1,151 $1,151

17.24%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$87.7K SBD 701.8K

$1,167 $1,167

7421.57%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$61.5K SBD 491.6K

$847 $847

7157.19%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$475 SBD 3,801

$286 $286

66.42%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

15.83

393333.33

-100.00%

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

Last update for Solomon Islands: August 30, 2026

Last update for Micronesia: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average salary: $558 in Solomon Islands vs $292 in Micronesia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 16% higher in Solomon Islands.

Dining out costs 36% more in Solomon Islands.

Public transport is 100% more expensive in Solomon Islands.

Salaries are 91% higher in Solomon Islands.

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

Micronesia is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 35% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in Solomon Islands, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Solomon Islands consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Micronesia, contributing to the overall 35% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Micronesia, but in Solomon Islands it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Micronesia 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.