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 $789 including rent across French Polynesia.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,191 including rent across French Polynesia.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,593 including rent across French Polynesia.

Living costs in French Polynesia vary widely – from $0 in more affordable cities to $2,329 in major hubs, spanning a $2,329 range across 7 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.72 CFPF 1,603

$9.60 CFPF 978

$24.82 CFPF 2,530

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.1 CFPF 8,166

$58.3 CFPF 5,939

$126 CFPF 12.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.30 CFPF 1,254

$11.82 CFPF 1,205

$14.77 CFPF 1,506

Cappuccino

$4.39 CFPF 448

$1.91 CFPF 194

$5.72 CFPF 583

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

$2.64 CFPF 270

$1.89 CFPF 193

$4.73 CFPF 482

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 CFPF 217

$1.99 CFPF 203

$2.88 CFPF 293

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.98 CFPF 508

$2.45 CFPF 249

$7.09 CFPF 723

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.79 CFPF 488

$2.87 CFPF 293

$9.58 CFPF 977

Milk (1 liter)

$1.50 CFPF 153

$1.19 CFPF 121

$1.69 CFPF 172

White Bread (500g)

$2.85 CFPF 290

$0.79 CFPF 80.5

$4.91 CFPF 501

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.62 CFPF 165

$0.95 CFPF 97.2

$3.82 CFPF 389

Eggs

$7.08 CFPF 722

$3.79 CFPF 387

$11.38 CFPF 1,160

Local Cheese (1kg)

$38.96 CFPF 3,972

$19.49 CFPF 1,986

$58.5 CFPF 5,958

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.98 CFPF 1,731

$6.89 CFPF 703

$27.57 CFPF 2,810

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$26.65 CFPF 2,717

$21.89 CFPF 2,232

$28.55 CFPF 2,911

Apples (1kg)

$5.46 CFPF 556

$4.30 CFPF 439

$5.74 CFPF 586

Banana (1kg)

$2.36 CFPF 240

$1.13 CFPF 115

$2.83 CFPF 289

Oranges (1kg)

$6.74 CFPF 687

$4.81 CFPF 491

$7.70 CFPF 785

Tomato (1kg)

$7.71 CFPF 786

$4.79 CFPF 488

$8.61 CFPF 878

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 CFPF 300

$1.92 CFPF 195

$4.31 CFPF 439

Onion (1kg)

$2.66 CFPF 271

$1.44 CFPF 147

$2.90 CFPF 295

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.95 CFPF 402

$3.45 CFPF 351

$3.95 CFPF 402

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 CFPF 114

$0.95 CFPF 96.8

$1.42 CFPF 145

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.05 CFPF 1,229

$10.55 CFPF 1,076

$14.53 CFPF 1,481

Wine (Bottle)

$24.35 CFPF 2,482

$9.74 CFPF 993

$48.69 CFPF 4,964

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 CFPF 266

$1.17 CFPF 119

$2.93 CFPF 299

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.76 CFPF 485

$2.45 CFPF 250

$7.87 CFPF 802

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.90 CFPF 194

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.75 CFPF 994

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 CFPF 160

$1.47 CFPF 150

$1.62 CFPF 165

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

$19.2K CFPF 2.0M

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

$29.1K CFPF 3.0M

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

$178 CFPF 18.1K

$121 CFPF 12.4K

$286 CFPF 29.1K

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

$17.18 CFPF 1,751

$8.59 CFPF 876

$28.64 CFPF 2,919

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$105 CFPF 10.7K

$58.9 CFPF 6,009

$146 CFPF 14.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.4 CFPF 7,689

$54.1 CFPF 5,512

$93.5 CFPF 9,530

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.92 CFPF 1,826

Cinema Ticket

$14.42 CFPF 1,470

$12.50 CFPF 1,274

$14.42 CFPF 1,470

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

$488 CFPF 49.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,572 CFPF 975.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$98.4 CFPF 10.0K

$58.4 CFPF 5,956

$139 CFPF 14.2K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$86.0 CFPF 8,771

$19.45 CFPF 1,983

$146 CFPF 14.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 CFPF 11.3K

$78.4 CFPF 7,987

$175 CFPF 17.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 CFPF 10.8K

$66.6 CFPF 6,785

$136 CFPF 13.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,315 CFPF 134.1K

$1,169 CFPF 119.2K

$1,461 CFPF 148.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,085 CFPF 110.6K

$957 CFPF 97.6K

$1,148 CFPF 117.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,127 CFPF 216.8K

$1,934 CFPF 197.1K

$2,417 CFPF 246.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,829 CFPF 186.4K

$1,444 CFPF 147.2K

$2,310 CFPF 235.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,666 CFPF 883.4K

$6,377 CFPF 650.0K

$9,810 CFPF 1.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,771 CFPF 792.2K

$4,984 CFPF 508.1K

$10.6K CFPF 1.1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,980 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 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $537 across French Polynesia. For reference, capital rent is $1,240 in Papeete, and $0 in Papeari.

National average salary: $2,115. With average costs at $789, 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 $2,329 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 ($789) is 41% below the global median of $1,339.

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		$911	$1,057	$1,876	$2,060	63.68	111.62
3	Paopao	-						204.11	68.45
4	Papeari	-						266.26	65.73
5	Papeete	26050	115	$997	$2,329	$2,820	$4,639	135.71	111.62
6	Punaauia	25399		$94.2	$106	$247	$223	193.84	100.25
7	Tahiti	-		$845	$2,030	$1,905	$4,227	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.