Cost of Living in French Polynesia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: French Polynesia
Address: PF

Monthly Cost of Living

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $795 including rent across French Polynesia.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,200 including rent across French Polynesia.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,604 including rent across French Polynesia.

Living costs in French Polynesia vary widely – from $0 in more affordable cities to $2,330 in major hubs, spanning a $2,330 range across 7 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.58 CFPF 1,579

$9.51 CFPF 964

$24.59 CFPF 2,492

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.2 CFPF 8,023

$57.6 CFPF 5,835

$125 CFPF 12.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.33 CFPF 1,249

$11.84 CFPF 1,199

$14.80 CFPF 1,499

Cappuccino

$4.57 CFPF 463

$1.98 CFPF 201

$5.95 CFPF 603

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

$2.63 CFPF 267

$1.88 CFPF 191

$4.71 CFPF 477

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 CFPF 215

$1.99 CFPF 201

$2.88 CFPF 292

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.05 CFPF 511

$2.48 CFPF 251

$7.19 CFPF 728

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.99 CFPF 506

$3.00 CFPF 304

$9.99 CFPF 1,012

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 CFPF 146

$1.14 CFPF 115

$1.61 CFPF 164

White Bread (500g)

$2.87 CFPF 291

$0.80 CFPF 80.8

$4.96 CFPF 503

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.61 CFPF 163

$0.94 CFPF 95.6

$3.77 CFPF 382

Eggs

$7.28 CFPF 737

$3.90 CFPF 395

$11.70 CFPF 1,186

Local Cheese (1kg)

$39.03 CFPF 3,954

$19.52 CFPF 1,978

$58.6 CFPF 5,932

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.62 CFPF 1,684

$6.75 CFPF 683

$26.98 CFPF 2,734

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$27.37 CFPF 2,773

$22.48 CFPF 2,278

$29.32 CFPF 2,971

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 CFPF 544

$4.23 CFPF 429

$5.65 CFPF 572

Banana (1kg)

$2.36 CFPF 239

$1.13 CFPF 115

$2.84 CFPF 287

Oranges (1kg)

$6.71 CFPF 680

$4.79 CFPF 486

$7.67 CFPF 777

Tomato (1kg)

$8.01 CFPF 811

$4.97 CFPF 504

$8.95 CFPF 907

Potato (1kg)

$3.00 CFPF 304

$1.95 CFPF 198

$4.38 CFPF 444

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 CFPF 278

$1.49 CFPF 151

$2.99 CFPF 303

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.77 CFPF 382

$3.30 CFPF 334

$3.77 CFPF 382

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.17 CFPF 119

$1.00 CFPF 101

$1.49 CFPF 151

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.20 CFPF 1,236

$10.68 CFPF 1,082

$14.70 CFPF 1,489

Wine (Bottle)

$24.57 CFPF 2,489

$9.83 CFPF 995

$49.14 CFPF 4,978

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.56 CFPF 259

$1.15 CFPF 116

$2.87 CFPF 291

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.81 CFPF 487

$2.48 CFPF 251

$7.96 CFPF 806

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.90 CFPF 192

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.63 CFPF 975

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.53 CFPF 155

$1.44 CFPF 145

$1.58 CFPF 160

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

$19.2K CFPF 1.9M

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

$29.2K CFPF 3.0M

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

$180 CFPF 18.3K

$123 CFPF 12.5K

$290 CFPF 29.3K

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

$17.29 CFPF 1,752

$8.65 CFPF 876

$28.82 CFPF 2,920

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$102 CFPF 10.4K

$57.3 CFPF 5,803

$142 CFPF 14.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.3 CFPF 7,626

$54.0 CFPF 5,467

$93.3 CFPF 9,452

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.82 CFPF 1,806

Cinema Ticket

$14.62 CFPF 1,481

$12.67 CFPF 1,283

$14.62 CFPF 1,481

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

$484 CFPF 49.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,529 CFPF 965.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$96.2 CFPF 9,742

$57.1 CFPF 5,783

$136 CFPF 13.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$87.2 CFPF 8,836

$19.71 CFPF 1,997

$148 CFPF 15.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$107 CFPF 10.9K

$76.1 CFPF 7,709

$170 CFPF 17.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 CFPF 11.0K

$68.3 CFPF 6,914

$140 CFPF 14.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,296 CFPF 131.3K

$1,152 CFPF 116.7K

$1,440 CFPF 145.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,091 CFPF 110.6K

$963 CFPF 97.6K

$1,156 CFPF 117.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,174 CFPF 220.2K

$1,976 CFPF 200.2K

$2,470 CFPF 250.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,873 CFPF 189.7K

$1,479 CFPF 149.8K

$2,366 CFPF 239.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,557 CFPF 866.9K

$6,297 CFPF 637.9K

$9,688 CFPF 981.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,901 CFPF 800.4K

$5,074 CFPF 514.1K

$10.8K CFPF 1.1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,992 CFPF 201.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.4

4.81

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

Last update: April 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $535 across French Polynesia. For reference, capital rent is $1,240 in Papeete, and $0 in Papeari.

National average salary: $2,118. With average costs at $795, the salary-to-cost ratio is favorable for most workers.

Expect to spend about $196 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $19 for two.

In Papeete (capital), expect about $2,330 per month, while Papeari offers the lowest costs at $0 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($795) is 41% below the global median of $1,347.

Average rent ($535) is 15% below the global median of $629.

Dining out ($19) is 60% below the global median of $48.

By City in French Polynesia

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Amaru	-						11.97	68.34
2	Arue	10000		$921	$1,041	$1,732	$2,049	63.68	111.62
3	Paopao	-						204.11	68.45
4	Papeari	-						266.26	65.73
5	Papeete	26050	115	$1,171	$2,330	$2,745	$4,576	135.71	111.62
6	Punaauia	25399		$90.8	$108	$194	$218	193.84	100.25
7	Tahiti	-		$782	$2,089	$1,976	$4,386	80.55	65.73

French Polynesia Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in French Polynesia - Frequently Asked Questions

Affordability here depends on island and lifestyle. Imports and transport make some goods expensive, and housing can dominate budget on the main islands. Yet you can find value by staying longer on one island, choosing homes with kitchens, and shopping at local markets instead of relying on imported groceries. For digital nomads, a simple setup with reliable internet and a short commute helps a lot, especially in Tahiti or popular island towns. Compare how housing, groceries, and transport feel against your home country to gauge fit. Cost of Living in French Polynesia provides a useful frame for planning your stay and weekly routines. Tip: prioritize long stays to unlock better rental terms and neighborhood options.

Daily life unfolds with island rhythms. On Tahiti and larger atolls you will find a mix of furnished rentals and longer-term leases; use local agents and online listings to compare neighborhoods like urban core versus seaside villages. Grocery options range from crowded markets to import-heavy supermarkets; plan meals around fresh produce to stretch costs. Transport leans on a car or scooter, with ferries for inter-island trips and occasional buses. Co-working spaces exist but can be limited outside main towns, so a mobile internet plan helps you work from cafes. French Polynesia living cost will shift with tourism, seasons, and fuel logistics – plan your weeks around it. Tip: build a three-area shortlist to test before committing.

Quality of life here blends natural beauty with practical constraints. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed housing, groceries, transport, and activities, then track usage on a weekly basis. Seasonal shifts in tourism affect prices and crowds, so plan visits to shoulder periods when possible; this also helps with easier housing hunts. Neighborhood fit matters: Tahiti's urban clusters suit walkers and cafe life, while outer islands reward quiet, faster internet, and closer community ties. Practical savings come from cooking at home, pooling internet with neighbors, and choosing longer leases to lock in steadier costs. Tip: map your lifestyle priorities to island character before you move.

As a lower-cost destination, French Polynesia attracts expats, retirees, and long-term visitors on fixed budgets. Smaller cities are especially wallet-friendly, while bigger centers charge more but remain competitive globally.

Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in French Polynesia drop fast. Papeari is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$2,000 a month goes far in French Polynesia, especially outside the big cities. It's a realistic single-person budget that covers housing, food, transport, and leisure comfortably.