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 $798 including rent across French Polynesia.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,197 including rent across French Polynesia.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,595 including rent across French Polynesia.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.65 CFPF 1,636

$9.56 CFPF 999

$24.71 CFPF 2,582

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.3 CFPF 8,281

$57.6 CFPF 6,023

$125 CFPF 13.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 CFPF 1,258

$11.56 CFPF 1,209

$14.46 CFPF 1,511

Cappuccino

$4.40 CFPF 460

$1.91 CFPF 199

$5.73 CFPF 598

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

$2.69 CFPF 281

$1.93 CFPF 201

$4.82 CFPF 504

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 CFPF 223

$1.99 CFPF 208

$2.88 CFPF 301

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.02 CFPF 524

$2.46 CFPF 257

$7.15 CFPF 747

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.92 CFPF 514

$2.95 CFPF 309

$9.84 CFPF 1,028

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 CFPF 156

$1.17 CFPF 123

$1.67 CFPF 175

White Bread (500g)

$2.88 CFPF 301

$0.80 CFPF 83.7

$4.98 CFPF 520

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.69 CFPF 177

$0.99 CFPF 104

$3.98 CFPF 416

Eggs

$7.20 CFPF 753

$3.86 CFPF 403

$11.58 CFPF 1,210

Local Cheese (1kg)

$38.65 CFPF 4,039

$19.33 CFPF 2,020

$58.0 CFPF 6,060

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.93 CFPF 1,769

$6.87 CFPF 718

$27.48 CFPF 2,872

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$26.96 CFPF 2,817

$22.15 CFPF 2,314

$28.89 CFPF 3,019

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 CFPF 567

$4.28 CFPF 447

$5.71 CFPF 596

Banana (1kg)

$2.45 CFPF 257

$1.18 CFPF 123

$2.95 CFPF 308

Oranges (1kg)

$6.61 CFPF 691

$4.72 CFPF 494

$7.56 CFPF 790

Tomato (1kg)

$7.78 CFPF 813

$4.83 CFPF 505

$8.70 CFPF 909

Potato (1kg)

$2.96 CFPF 309

$1.92 CFPF 201

$4.33 CFPF 452

Onion (1kg)

$2.61 CFPF 273

$1.42 CFPF 148

$2.85 CFPF 298

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.83 CFPF 400

$3.35 CFPF 350

$3.83 CFPF 400

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.16 CFPF 121

$0.98 CFPF 103

$1.47 CFPF 154

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.15 CFPF 1,269

$10.64 CFPF 1,111

$14.64 CFPF 1,530

Wine (Bottle)

$24.39 CFPF 2,549

$9.75 CFPF 1,019

$48.78 CFPF 5,098

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 CFPF 265

$1.14 CFPF 119

$2.85 CFPF 298

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.71 CFPF 492

$2.43 CFPF 254

$7.79 CFPF 814

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.90 CFPF 199

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.52 CFPF 995

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.52 CFPF 159

$1.42 CFPF 149

$1.57 CFPF 164

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)

$29.3K CFPF 3.1M

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

$183 CFPF 19.1K

$125 CFPF 13.0K

$294 CFPF 30.7K

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

$17.77 CFPF 1,857

$8.88 CFPF 928

$29.61 CFPF 3,095

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$103 CFPF 10.8K

$57.9 CFPF 6,049

$144 CFPF 15.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$74.9 CFPF 7,828

$53.7 CFPF 5,611

$92.8 CFPF 9,702

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.68 CFPF 1,847

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 CFPF 1,538

$12.75 CFPF 1,333

$14.71 CFPF 1,538

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

$488 CFPF 51.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,703 CFPF 1.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$96.3 CFPF 10.1K

$57.2 CFPF 5,974

$136 CFPF 14.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$85.2 CFPF 8,899

$19.25 CFPF 2,012

$144 CFPF 15.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 CFPF 11.6K

$78.8 CFPF 8,239

$176 CFPF 18.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 CFPF 11.1K

$67.1 CFPF 7,014

$137 CFPF 14.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,332 CFPF 139.2K

$1,184 CFPF 123.8K

$1,481 CFPF 154.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,082 CFPF 113.0K

$954 CFPF 99.7K

$1,145 CFPF 119.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,152 CFPF 224.9K

$1,956 CFPF 204.4K

$2,445 CFPF 255.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,850 CFPF 193.4K

$1,461 CFPF 152.7K

$2,337 CFPF 244.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,613 CFPF 900.1K

$6,338 CFPF 662.3K

$9,751 CFPF 1.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,836 CFPF 818.9K

$5,000 CFPF 522.5K

$10.7K CFPF 1.1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,964 CFPF 205.2K

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: June 16, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National average salary: $2,087. With average costs at $798, the salary-to-cost ratio is favorable for most workers.

Expect to spend about $193 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $19.00 for two.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($798) is 40% below the global median of $1,333.

Dining out ($19.00) is 60% below the global median of $48.00.

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		$806	$1,071	$1,946	$2,059	63.68	111.62
3	Paopao	-						204.11	68.45
4	Papeari	-						266.26	65.73
5	Papeete	26050	114	$1,040	$2,323	$2,696	$4,627	135.71	111.62
6	Punaauia	25399		$95.3	$106	$207	$221	193.84	100.25
7	Tahiti	-		$864	$2,086	$1,979	$4,261	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.

$800 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.