Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Suva and Porirua

For one person, living is cheaper in Suva: $946 a month against $1,870 in Porirua, rent and utilities included – about $11,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Suva
🇫🇯 Fiji
$946
/mo nomad
Porirua
🇳🇿 New Zealand
$1,870
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Suva and in Porirua

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

A single person spends $946 per month in Suva vs $1,870 in Porirua, rent included.

  • Suva $946
  • Porirua $1,870

A couple spends around $1,717 per month in Suva vs $2,936 in Porirua, rent included.

  • Suva $1,717
  • Porirua $2,936

A family of three spends $2,489 per month in Suva vs $4,002 in Porirua, rent included.

  • Suva $2,489
  • Porirua $4,002

Suva is about 49% cheaper than Porirua, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Suva sits 30% below the global median, while Porirua is 39% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Suva
Porirua
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.93 FJD 13.28
$13.87 NZ$24.52
-57.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.78 FJD 100
$64.9 NZ$115
-31.02%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.51 FJD 16.81
$8.74 NZ$15.46
-14.07%
Cappuccino
$2.85 FJD 6.37
$2.82 NZ$4.99
1.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50 FJD 3.36
$2.38 NZ$4.21
-36.97%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 FJD 1.67
$1.74 NZ$3.08
-56.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.56 FJD 7.98
$7.39 NZ$13.07
-51.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.57 FJD 10.24
$6.64 NZ$11.74
-31.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Suva
Porirua
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.33 FJD 2.97
$1.93 NZ$3.41
-31.09%
White Bread (500g)
$0.57 FJD 1.28
$2.22 NZ$3.93
-74.32%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.13 FJD 2.53
$1.86 NZ$3.28
-39.25%
Eggs
$3.38 FJD 7.57
$7.05 NZ$12.48
-52.06%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.18 FJD 22.78
$9.11 NZ$16.12
11.75%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.34 FJD 14.19
$9.45 NZ$16.72
-32.91%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.96 FJD 17.82
$15.13 NZ$26.77
-47.39%
Apples (1kg)
$2.49 FJD 5.58
$3.15 NZ$5.57
-20.95%
Banana (1kg)
$2.43 FJD 5.43
$2.11 NZ$3.74
15.17%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.55 FJD 7.94
$3.05 NZ$5.40
16.39%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.17 FJD 7.11
$6.26 NZ$11.07
-49.36%
Potato (1kg)
$1.26 FJD 2.83
$2.06 NZ$3.64
-38.83%
Onion (1kg)
$1.06 FJD 2.37
$1.27 NZ$2.25
-16.54%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.16 FJD 2.61
$1.98 NZ$3.50
-41.41%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69 FJD 1.54
$1.19 NZ$2.11
-42.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.89 FJD 22.15
$24.64 NZ$43.58
-59.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.19 FJD 16.10
$11.28 NZ$19.96
-36.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.11 FJD 4.74
$3.11 NZ$5.50
-32.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39 FJD 7.60
$2.76 NZ$4.88
22.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Suva
Porirua
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 FJD 1.97
$1.66 NZ$2.93
-46.99%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.34 FJD 50.0
$87.1 NZ$154
-74.35%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.92 FJD 2.05
$1.79 NZ$3.16
-48.60%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.45 FJD 1.01
$1.76 NZ$3.12
-74.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.80 FJD 19.70
$32.99 NZ$58.4
-73.33%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.43 FJD 3.21
$1.53 NZ$2.71
-6.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3K FJD 54.5K
$25.2K NZ$44.5K
-3.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7K FJD 55.3K
$24.6K NZ$43.5K
0.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Suva
Porirua
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$46.26 FJD 104
$120 NZ$212
-61.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.75 FJD 28.54
$32.55 NZ$57.6
-60.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.21 FJD 54.2
$54.0 NZ$95.5
-55.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Suva
Porirua
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$36.81 FJD 82.4
$40.23 NZ$71.2
-8.50%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.31 FJD 25.32
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.42 FJD 7.65
$12.12 NZ$21.43
-71.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Suva
Porirua
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$225 FJD 503
$1,059 NZ$1,874
-78.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.4K FJD 30.0K
$13.0K NZ$22.9K
3.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Suva
Porirua
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.29 FJD 74.5
$78.5 NZ$139
-57.60%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.64 FJD 88.8
$28.18 NZ$49.84
40.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$68.6 FJD 154
$100 NZ$178
-31.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.9 FJD 134
$155 NZ$274
-61.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Suva
Porirua
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$889 FJD 1,992
$868 NZ$1,534
2.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$329 FJD 736
$751 NZ$1,328
-56.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,589 FJD 5,797
$1,645 NZ$2,909
57.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$999 FJD 2,236
$1,463 NZ$2,588
-31.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,310 FJD 2,933
$4,278 NZ$7,566
-69.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$820 FJD 1,836
$3,603 NZ$6,372
-77.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Suva
Porirua
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$965 FJD 2,160
$2,825 NZ$4,996
-65.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.7
5.39
42.86%

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

Last update for Suva: October 10, 2026

Last update for Porirua: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Suva
$329
Porirua
$751 128% $422
Groceries & Markets
Suva
$231
Porirua
$344 49% $113
Eating Out
Suva
$140
Porirua
$238 69.7% $98
Clothing & Footwear
Suva
$91
Porirua
$163 79.6% $72
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Suva
$83
Porirua
$207 148% $123
Sport & Entertainment
Suva
$44
Porirua
$64 47.7% $21
Getting Around
Suva
$29
Porirua
$104 260% $75

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $889 in Suva versus $868 in Porirua. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 193% higher in Porirua, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Suva versus $65.0 in Porirua. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $231 vs $344 – making Suva the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇫🇯 Suva
🇳🇿 Porirua
🕒 Local time
08:51 8:51 AM
09:51 9:51 AM
1 h ahead of Suva
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
100,000 Capital
61,900
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

NZD, USD, EUR to FJD – Fijian Dollar Converter

Fijian Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 2.24 FJD (1 FJD = 0.447 USD). 1 EUR = 2.52 FJD (1 FJD = 0.397 EUR).

New Zealand Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 1.77 NZD (1 NZD = 0.565 USD). 1 EUR = 1.99 NZD (1 NZD = 0.503 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Suva Porirua 2,580 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Suva
  • Porirua

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
Suva vs Porirua: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Porirua cheaper than Suva?
Yes – Porirua is pricier by about 98%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,419 per month in Suva and $2,806 in Porirua. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Suva, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $225 per month in Suva and $1,059 in Porirua. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Suva and in Porirua?
Groceries cost about 49% more in Porirua, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Suva or in Porirua?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Suva, where all-in costs run around $946, than in Porirua at $1,870. In Suva it covers expenses comfortably, while in Porirua it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Suva or Porirua more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Suva – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Suva or Porirua?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Suva. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Porirua makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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