Last update: Oct 2026 Solomon Islands ⭐ Capital 54.6K

Cost of Living in Honiara

For one person, living costs in Honiara are estimated at $1,718 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about half of the total. Other living expenses average about $28 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Honiara

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

A single person spends around $1,718 per month with rent, or $855 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,718 /mo

A couple spends around $2,833 per month with rent, or $1,477 for everyday expenses alone.

$2,833 /mo

A family of three spends around $3,948 per month with rent, or $2,099 without housing.

$3,948 /mo

Overall, Honiara is 27–40% above the global median across household types. Within Oceania, costs are close to average – just 10% lower.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.94 SBD 56.0
$6.31 SBD 50.9
$7.57 SBD 61.1
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.3 SBD 502
$43.60 SBD 351
$149 SBD 1,205
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.56 SBD 101
$10.68 SBD 86.1
$15.08 SBD 122
Cappuccino
$3.49 SBD 28.17
$1.91 SBD 15.41
$5.72 SBD 46.15
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 SBD 12.75
$1.27 SBD 10.20
$2.53 SBD 20.41
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10 SBD 8.90
$0.63 SBD 5.11
$1.27 SBD 10.22
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.55 SBD 20.59
$1.66 SBD 13.37
$3.82 SBD 30.81
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.70 SBD 45.93
$3.16 SBD 25.48
$7.60 SBD 61.3
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.48 SBD 20.01
$2.18 SBD 17.57
$3.02 SBD 24.35
White Bread (500g)
$1.54 SBD 12.42
$1.40 SBD 11.26
$1.91 SBD 15.40
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.65 SBD 13.29
$1.27 SBD 10.24
$1.90 SBD 15.35
Eggs
$5.51 SBD 44.40
$3.65 SBD 29.42
$5.84 SBD 47.10
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.43 SBD 51.8
$2.45 SBD 19.71
$9.76 SBD 78.7
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.58 SBD 69.2
$4.87 SBD 39.26
$14.98 SBD 121
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.40 SBD 124
$12.45 SBD 100
$31.44 SBD 253
Apples (1kg)
$6.38 SBD 51.4
$2.52 SBD 20.31
$12.57 SBD 101
Banana (1kg)
$2.59 SBD 20.89
$1.22 SBD 9.85
$3.04 SBD 24.54
Oranges (1kg)
$8.44 SBD 68.1
$1.84 SBD 14.82
$12.24 SBD 98.7
Tomato (1kg)
$3.66 SBD 29.48
$1.95 SBD 15.74
$6.10 SBD 49.19
Potato (1kg)
$1.94 SBD 15.60
$1.22 SBD 9.87
$3.66 SBD 29.53
Onion (1kg)
$3.41 SBD 27.53
$2.98 SBD 24.05
$6.22 SBD 50.1
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.45 SBD 11.72
$1.25 SBD 10.10
$2.50 SBD 20.19
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.07 SBD 8.62
$0.63 SBD 5.09
$1.26 SBD 10.18
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.18 SBD 33.67
$3.11 SBD 25.07
$4.98 SBD 40.16
Wine (Bottle)
$10.70 SBD 86.3
$6.30 SBD 50.8
$18.89 SBD 152
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 SBD 14.36
$1.53 SBD 12.37
$3.18 SBD 25.65
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.35 SBD 26.98
$2.68 SBD 21.59
$5.48 SBD 44.21
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.38 SBD 3.09
$0.38 SBD 3.09
$0.77 SBD 6.18
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$24.88 SBD 201
$18.66 SBD 150
$31.10 SBD 251
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.20 SBD 9.70
$1.20 SBD 9.70
$1.20 SBD 9.70
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.21 SBD 9.79
$1.21 SBD 9.79
$1.21 SBD 9.79
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.41 SBD 100
$12.41 SBD 100
$12.41 SBD 100
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.30 SBD 10.50
$1.10 SBD 8.83
$1.47 SBD 11.85
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.8K SBD 151.8K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K SBD 279.9K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$427 SBD 3,440
$122 SBD 983
$732 SBD 5,898
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.52 SBD 222
$12.51 SBD 101
$50.1 SBD 403
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$88.8 SBD 716
$55.1 SBD 444
$122 SBD 987
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.21 SBD 300
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.24 SBD 74.5
$6.30 SBD 50.8
$15.12 SBD 122
Cinema Ticket
$4.25 SBD 34.29
$2.44 SBD 19.64
$4.86 SBD 39.20
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$98.2 SBD 792
$49.12 SBD 396
$123 SBD 990
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,891 SBD 23.3K
$2,514 SBD 20.3K
$3,268 SBD 26.3K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.02 SBD 218
$12.04 SBD 97.0
$36.86 SBD 297
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$93.7 SBD 756
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.3 SBD 768
$36.49 SBD 294
$122 SBD 980
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 SBD 834
$49.70 SBD 401
$124 SBD 1,002
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$901 SBD 7,263
$440 SBD 3,547
$1,508 SBD 12.2K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$436 SBD 3,518
$312 SBD 2,513
$561 SBD 4,523
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,867 SBD 15.1K
$816 SBD 6,577
$5,021 SBD 40.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,422 SBD 11.5K
$502 SBD 4,046
$2,258 SBD 18.2K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$86.7K SBD 699.2K
$86.7K SBD 699.2K
$86.7K SBD 699.2K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$63.1K SBD 508.8K
$63.1K SBD 508.8K
$63.1K SBD 508.8K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$443 SBD 3,574
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
15.67
10
20

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

Last update: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Honiara $1,718
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$543
Accommodation & Living
$436
Groceries & Markets
$345
Eating Out
$170
Clothing & Footwear
$144
Sport & Entertainment
$46
Getting Around
$34

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $901, dropping to $436 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 203% of the average salary ($443) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $443 – below monthly costs of $1,718. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $345 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $62.0 – broadly in line with the Oceanian average.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $24.88 – among the cheapest in Oceania (average $59.0).

Cost Highlights

Honiara has the 2nd cheapest preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child in Oceania

Honiara has the 7th cheapest public transport monthly pass in Oceania

Honiara has the 7th cheapest meal at budget restaurant in Oceania

Good to know
🕒 Local time
22:44 10:44 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
54,600 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to SBD – Solomon Islands Dollar Converter

Solomon Islands Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 8.06 SBD (1 SBD = 0.124 USD). 1 EUR = 9.06 SBD (1 SBD = 0.11 EUR).

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Honiara Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Honiara - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Honiara for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to get good value?
In general, you can stretch a budget by choosing local eateries, public transport, and modest accommodations. Neighborhoods near the waterfront can be pricier than inland areas, while short-term rentals vary with season and demand. Cost-conscious visitors often balance comfort and cost by mixing quick meals with occasional market buys. Cost of Living in Honiara, Solomon Islands helps you frame expectations before you arrive, but reality includes occasional price gaps between imported goods and local staples. It’s a place where long-term stays can feel value-friendly if you adapt to local options. Tip: map a flexible weekly plan that routes you through markets and affordable service providers.
What does daily life look like for housing search, food options, transport, and errands in Honiara?
Daily life centers on practical budgeting and local options. Look for rentals in varied neighborhoods to balance access to markets and quiet streets, and expect smaller, walkable places near shops. Food comes from markets, street stalls, and occasional imported items; groceries can be practical when you buy in bulk and visit weekly. Transport often means short hops by bus, taxi, or motorbike; you’ll save by pairing trips and avoiding peak hours. Honiara living cost is typically managed when you choose local services and flexible schedules for errands and coworking. Tip: set a weekly route that links a market, a cafe with reliable Wi-Fi, and a dependable transport option.
How can you optimize quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood fit in Honiara, considering seasonality and local tips?
Quality of life in Honiara blends outdoor access with a close-knit feel. To budget well, frame a weekly plan that covers rent, food, transport, and occasional activities, then adjust as needed. Favor local markets, seasonal produce, and shared workspaces to stretch your dollars and gain time. The rainy season can affect outdoor plans and transport, so build in flexibility for workdays. Neighborhoods range from convenient central pockets to quieter hillside streets; pick one based on noise, shade, and access to groceries. Tip: visit a few weekend routes on foot or by scooter to sense convenience, safety, and community vibe before locking into long-term housing.
Is Honiara affordable on an average income?
Honiara sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,718, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
Is rent in Honiara too high relative to local incomes?
Housing in Honiara takes a heavy bite – about 203% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.
What income level supports a comfortable lifestyle in Honiara?
In Honiara, $2,577 per month is what most people would call a good salary. It handles rent, food, and utilities with enough left for savings and the occasional splurge. Above that, you unlock better apartments and more freedom with spending.
Are apartments reasonably priced in Honiara?
Rent in Honiara is middle-of-the-road – 1-bedroom apartments fall between $436 and $901 per month. Not cheap, not outrageous, with reasonable options across most neighborhoods.
How expensive is preschool in Honiara per month?
Private kindergarten in Honiara costs about $98.2 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Honiara?
Expect to pay about $37.21 per month for a gym in Honiara – on par with the regional average. That typically gets you weights, cardio machines, and group classes. Boutique studios, yoga centers, and personal trainers charge extra.
Does $3,000 cover living expenses in Honiara?
$3,000 is below the $1,718 average in Honiara, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
What is expat life like in Honiara?
Honiara has an established expat community and is welcoming to foreigners. clean air, coastal lifestyle, beach access smooth the transition, and English-speaking landlords, expat-focused healthcare, and international services are all reasonably accessible. Monthly costs average $1,718 including housing.
Is Honiara affordable for the average person?
Honiara is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,718, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Can budget travelers get by in Honiara?
Honiara is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,718, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.

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