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 $787 including rent across French Polynesia.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,196 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 $2,251 in major hubs, spanning a $2,251 range across 7 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.81 CFPF 1,611

$9.65 CFPF 984

$24.96 CFPF 2,543

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.7 CFPF 8,119

$58.0 CFPF 5,905

$126 CFPF 12.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.93 CFPF 1,216

$11.46 CFPF 1,168

$14.32 CFPF 1,459

Cappuccino

$4.38 CFPF 447

$1.90 CFPF 194

$5.71 CFPF 581

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

$2.66 CFPF 271

$1.90 CFPF 194

$4.75 CFPF 484

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 CFPF 225

$2.06 CFPF 210

$2.99 CFPF 304

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.04 CFPF 514

$2.48 CFPF 252

$7.18 CFPF 732

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.77 CFPF 487

$2.86 CFPF 292

$9.55 CFPF 973

Milk (1 liter)

$1.50 CFPF 152

$1.18 CFPF 120

$1.68 CFPF 171

White Bread (500g)

$2.86 CFPF 291

$0.79 CFPF 80.9

$4.93 CFPF 503

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.66 CFPF 169

$0.98 CFPF 99.6

$3.91 CFPF 398

Eggs

$7.37 CFPF 751

$3.95 CFPF 403

$11.86 CFPF 1,208

Local Cheese (1kg)

$38.55 CFPF 3,928

$19.28 CFPF 1,965

$57.8 CFPF 5,893

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.05 CFPF 1,738

$6.92 CFPF 705

$27.68 CFPF 2,821

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$27.36 CFPF 2,788

$22.47 CFPF 2,290

$29.31 CFPF 2,987

Apples (1kg)

$5.38 CFPF 548

$4.24 CFPF 432

$5.66 CFPF 577

Banana (1kg)

$2.40 CFPF 245

$1.15 CFPF 117

$2.89 CFPF 294

Oranges (1kg)

$6.83 CFPF 696

$4.88 CFPF 497

$7.81 CFPF 796

Tomato (1kg)

$7.84 CFPF 799

$4.87 CFPF 496

$8.76 CFPF 893

Potato (1kg)

$3.05 CFPF 311

$1.99 CFPF 203

$4.47 CFPF 455

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 CFPF 278

$1.48 CFPF 151

$2.97 CFPF 303

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.93 CFPF 401

$3.44 CFPF 350

$3.93 CFPF 401

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 CFPF 114

$0.95 CFPF 97.1

$1.42 CFPF 145

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.05 CFPF 1,228

$10.55 CFPF 1,075

$14.52 CFPF 1,480

Wine (Bottle)

$24.51 CFPF 2,497

$9.80 CFPF 999

$49.02 CFPF 4,995

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 CFPF 260

$1.14 CFPF 117

$2.87 CFPF 292

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.59 CFPF 468

$2.37 CFPF 241

$7.60 CFPF 774

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.92 CFPF 195

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.91 CFPF 1,010

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.59 CFPF 162

$1.49 CFPF 152

$1.64 CFPF 167

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

$19.1K CFPF 2.0M

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

$28.9K CFPF 2.9M

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

$184 CFPF 18.7K

$125 CFPF 12.8K

$295 CFPF 30.1K

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

$17.61 CFPF 1,794

$8.80 CFPF 897

$29.35 CFPF 2,991

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$106 CFPF 10.8K

$59.2 CFPF 6,033

$147 CFPF 15.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$73.4 CFPF 7,479

$52.6 CFPF 5,361

$91.0 CFPF 9,269

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.55 CFPF 1,788

Cinema Ticket

$14.69 CFPF 1,497

$12.73 CFPF 1,297

$14.69 CFPF 1,497

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

$477 CFPF 48.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,768 CFPF 995.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$98.0 CFPF 9,981

$58.2 CFPF 5,925

$139 CFPF 14.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$84.4 CFPF 8,597

$19.07 CFPF 1,943

$143 CFPF 14.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$110 CFPF 11.2K

$78.2 CFPF 7,965

$175 CFPF 17.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 CFPF 10.9K

$67.4 CFPF 6,866

$138 CFPF 14.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,313 CFPF 133.8K

$1,167 CFPF 118.9K

$1,459 CFPF 148.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,100 CFPF 112.1K

$971 CFPF 98.9K

$1,165 CFPF 118.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,107 CFPF 214.7K

$1,915 CFPF 195.2K

$2,394 CFPF 243.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,840 CFPF 187.5K

$1,453 CFPF 148.0K

$2,324 CFPF 236.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,564 CFPF 872.7K

$6,302 CFPF 642.2K

$9,696 CFPF 988.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,932 CFPF 808.3K

$5,091 CFPF 518.8K

$10.8K CFPF 1.1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,966 CFPF 200.3K

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 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $537 across French Polynesia. For reference, capital rent is $1,232 in Papeete, and $0 in Amaru.

National average salary: $2,144. With average costs at $787, 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 $2,251 per month, while Amaru offers the lowest costs at $0 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($787) is 41% below the global median of $1,340.

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		$795	$1,062	$1,756	$2,032	63.68	111.62
3	Paopao	-						204.11	68.45
4	Papeari	-						266.26	65.73
5	Papeete	26050	115	$1,149	$2,251	$2,476	$4,641	135.71	111.62
6	Punaauia	25399		$103	$108	$246	$221	193.84	100.25
7	Tahiti	-		$857	$2,085	$1,802	$4,335	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. Amaru 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.