😐A single person spends $1,642 per month in Spain vs $682 in Papua New Guinea, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,392 per month in Spain vs $992 in Papua New Guinea, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,142 per month in Spain vs $1,301 in Papua New Guinea, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Spain is about 141% higher than in Papua New Guinea on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Spain sits 23% above the global median, while Papua New Guinea is 49% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Spain
Papua New Guinea
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.06€14.00
$7.63PGK 33.65
110.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$56.9€49.57
$48.86PGK 215
16.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.30€8.98
$6.02PGK 26.54
71.10%
Cappuccino
$2.32€2.02
$2.43PGK 10.72
-4.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60€2.27
$0.91PGK 4.02
185.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84€1.60
$0.80PGK 3.55
130.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.43€2.99
$2.94PGK 12.95
16.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.97€3.46
$4.67PGK 20.58
-14.99%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Spain
Papua New Guinea
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19€1.04
$1.91PGK 8.45
-37.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.52€1.33
$1.52PGK 6.68
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.67€1.46
$1.45PGK 6.38
15.17%
Eggs
$2.98€2.60
$3.89PGK 17.18
-23.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.42€12.58
$6.31PGK 27.81
128.53%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.59€7.49
$6.61PGK 29.14
29.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.95€13.91
$8.84PGK 38.98
80.43%
Apples(1kg)
$2.51€2.19
$4.01PGK 17.67
-37.41%
Banana(1kg)
$2.07€1.81
$2.74PGK 12.08
-24.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04€1.78
$4.80PGK 21.17
-57.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.64€2.30
$3.99PGK 17.61
-33.83%
Potato(1kg)
$1.76€1.53
$3.42PGK 15.07
-48.54%
Onion(1kg)
$1.98€1.73
$2.47PGK 10.91
-19.84%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.35€1.17
$3.03PGK 13.34
-55.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74€0.65
$1.07PGK 4.70
-30.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.27€5.46
$6.60PGK 29.13
-5.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.75€5.01
$11.21PGK 49.44
-48.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.30€1.14
$2.56PGK 11.29
-49.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06€1.80
$3.45PGK 15.20
-40.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Spain
Papua New Guinea
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.77€1.54
$0.46PGK 2.04
284.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.49€30.07
$28.55PGK 126
20.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.49€3.91
$5.41PGK 23.87
-17.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.32€1.15
$2.48PGK 10.94
-46.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$27.12€23.64
$16.96PGK 74.8
59.91%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.80€1.57
$1.07PGK 4.72
68.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.2K€33.3K
$24.4KPGK 107.4K
56.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.8K€26.9K
$31.4KPGK 138.4K
-1.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Spain
Papua New Guinea
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$149€130
$102PGK 452
45.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.14€17.56
$48.82PGK 215
-58.75%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.50€29.21
$211PGK 929
-84.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Spain
Papua New Guinea
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.30€40.37
$63.8PGK 281
-27.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.61€13.61
$12.19PGK 53.8
28.06%
Cinema Ticket
$9.40€8.20
$9.67PGK 42.64
-2.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Spain
Papua New Guinea
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$522€455
$443PGK 1,954
17.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,880€8,613
$4,153PGK 18.3K
137.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Spain
Papua New Guinea
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.1€76.8
$35.58PGK 157
147.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.98€31.36
$35.79PGK 158
0.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.0€77.6
$67.4PGK 297
31.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108€94.2
$66.7PGK 294
62.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Spain
Papua New Guinea
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,039€906
$3,090PGK 13.6K
-66.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$820€715
$479PGK 2,113
71.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,689€1,472
$3,199PGK 14.1K
-47.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,214€1,058
$727PGK 3,206
66.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,301€3,750
$2,075PGK 9,154
107.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,604€2,270
$3,803PGK 16.8K
-31.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Spain
Papua New Guinea
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,982€1,728
$415PGK 1,829
377.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.51
12.75
-72.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Spain: July 27, 2026
Last update for Papua New Guinea: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $898 in Spain vs $1,985 in Papua New Guinea. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,561 in Madrid and $2,194 in Port Moresby.
💰Average salary: $1,989 in Spain vs $315 in Papua New Guinea. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 121% higher in Papua New Guinea.
⭐Dining out costs 77% more in Spain.
⭐Public transport is 313% more expensive in Spain.
⭐Salaries are 531% higher in Spain, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Spain.
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
Spain vs Papua New Guinea: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Papua New Guinea more expensive than Spain?
Papua New Guinea is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 161% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Spain, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Spain consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Papua New Guinea, contributing to the overall 161% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Papua New Guinea or in Spain?
$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Papua New Guinea, but in Spain it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Papua New Guinea or to Spain?
Papua New Guinea 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.