Cost of Living in Papua New Guinea - Updated Prices & Insights

57.38

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $928 (excluding rent), and $1,524 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,971 (excluding rent), and $2,799 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.64 PGK 31.2

$2.82 PGK 11.52

$23.52 PGK 96

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.23 PGK 197

$36.17 PGK 148

$145 PGK 591

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.9 PGK 24.1

$10.63 PGK 43.39

Cappuccino

$2.42 PGK 9.9

$1.23 PGK 5.03

$2.96 PGK 12.08

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

$0.85 PGK 3.46

$0.69 PGK 2.83

$1.39 PGK 5.65

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.8 PGK 3.28

$0.75 PGK 3.07

$1.25 PGK 5.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.93 PGK 11.97

$1.47 PGK 5.99

$7.33 PGK 29.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.51 PGK 18.4

$2.37 PGK 9.68

$5.93 PGK 24.21

Milk (1 liter)

$1.94 PGK 7.94

$1.67 PGK 6.8

$2.38 PGK 9.72

White Bread (500g)

$1.58 PGK 6.47

$1.22 PGK 4.97

$2.68 PGK 10.94

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.46 PGK 5.98

$1.18 PGK 4.82

$1.65 PGK 6.74

Eggs

$3.85 PGK 15.73

$2.93 PGK 11.95

$4.98 PGK 20.33

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.3 PGK 25.73

$3.2 PGK 13.06

$12.3 PGK 50.2

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.52 PGK 26.61

$3.82 PGK 15.6

$10.03 PGK 40.95

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.29 PGK 37.91

$6.17 PGK 25.19

$14.81 PGK 60.5

Apples (1kg)

$4.14 PGK 16.88

$1.95 PGK 7.95

$6.08 PGK 24.83

Banana (1kg)

$2.81 PGK 11.46

$1.21 PGK 4.93

$4.83 PGK 19.71

Oranges (1kg)

$4.76 PGK 19.41

$0.95 PGK 3.9

$11.46 PGK 46.79

Tomato (1kg)

$3.94 PGK 16.1

$1.15 PGK 4.71

$8.43 PGK 34.41

Potato (1kg)

$3.43 PGK 13.98

$1.47 PGK 6.01

$6.13 PGK 25.04

Onion (1kg)

$2.53 PGK 10.34

$0.99 PGK 4.03

$3.71 PGK 15.13

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.01 PGK 12.28

$0.74 PGK 3.01

$6.14 PGK 25.07

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 PGK 4.31

$0.49 PGK 1.99

$1.95 PGK 7.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.56 PGK 26.79

$5.25 PGK 21.42

$11.43 PGK 46.64

Wine (Bottle)

$11.53 PGK 47.06

$9.41 PGK 38.41

$17.64 PGK 72

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.6 PGK 10.63

$1.7 PGK 6.92

$3.63 PGK 14.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.45 PGK 14.07

$2.38 PGK 9.73

$5.72 PGK 23.36

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.5 PGK 2.03

$0.37 PGK 1.52

$0.5 PGK 2.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.6 PGK 113

$2.36 PGK 9.63

$45.28 PGK 185

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.41 PGK 22.09

$4.81 PGK 19.63

$7.21 PGK 29.45

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.51 PGK 10.26

$1.51 PGK 6.17

$2.51 PGK 10.26

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.77 PGK 68.5

$11.98 PGK 48.91

$23.96 PGK 97.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.07 PGK 4.36

$0.86 PGK 3.53

$1.17 PGK 4.76

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

$24.4K PGK 99.5K

$21.7K PGK 88.5K

$29.2K PGK 119.4K

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

$31K PGK 126.5K

$22K PGK 89.8K

$35.5K PGK 144.9K

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

$103 PGK 419

$67 PGK 274

$144 PGK 586

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

$48.13 PGK 196

$23.69 PGK 96.7

$55.7 PGK 227

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$209 PGK 854

$23.76 PGK 97

$713 PGK 2,910

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 PGK 259

$16.86 PGK 68.8

$145 PGK 590

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.11 PGK 49.44

$9.45 PGK 38.58

$15.36 PGK 62.7

Cinema Ticket

$9.66 PGK 39.42

$7.24 PGK 29.56

$12.07 PGK 49.27

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

$442 PGK 1,805

$197 PGK 806

$725 PGK 2,960

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,121 PGK 16.8K

$1,455 PGK 5,938

$7,273 PGK 29.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.04 PGK 143

$11.92 PGK 48.66

$50.1 PGK 204

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.03 PGK 143

$14.17 PGK 57.9

$47.23 PGK 193

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.3 PGK 279

$48.09 PGK 196

$84.2 PGK 344

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$67.2 PGK 274

$29.22 PGK 119

$146 PGK 597

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,062 PGK 12.5K

$1,547 PGK 6,315

$4,958 PGK 20.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$484 PGK 1,977

$242 PGK 988

$726 PGK 2,965

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,173 PGK 13K

$1,075 PGK 4,388

$5,494 PGK 22.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$723 PGK 2,952

$362 PGK 1,476

$964 PGK 3,936

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,544 PGK 34.9K

$1,214 PGK 4,956

$17K PGK 69.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$52K PGK 212.2K

$5,112 PGK 20.9K

$142.5K PGK 581.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$388 PGK 1,586

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.75

6.5

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

Cost of Living in Papua New Guinea - Frequently Asked Questions

Papua New Guinea offers a compelling blend of value and adventure for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who can adapt to a different pace and simpler comforts. Outside the main cities, daily goods and local services often come at lower relative costs, while imported items and certain amenities stay pricier. The Cost of Living in Papua New Guinea varies with location, access to infrastructure, and seasonality, but you can stretch a budget by using local markets, choosing homestays or serviced apartments, and prioritizing in-country experiences. The key is flexibility and longer stays to negotiate better terms. Tip: Focus on neighborhoods that balance access to markets with decent internet and safety.

Housing search often yields a mix: modest apartments, guesthouses, or shared homes in urban and peri-urban areas. Longer leases can reduce monthly costs and simplify arrangements. Food options range from vibrant local markets with produce and seafood to affordable family-run eateries. For transport, use public buses or boats where available, and reserve private options for reliability. Co-working spaces exist in urban centers with decent internet and meeting rooms, or you can work from quiet cafés with a reliable connection. Papua New Guinea living cost varies by location; test a few areas during your first weeks. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to compare neighborhoods and routines.

Quality of life hinges on reliable basics and pace that suits you. Adopt a simple budgeting framework such as allocating funds for housing, utilities, groceries, transport, and personal projects, plus a safety and contingency buffer. Seasonality matters: the dry and wet seasons influence travel, logistics, and prices in rural areas, so expect shifts in availability more than fixed price changes. When judging neighborhoods, prioritize proximity to markets, healthcare access, and internet reliability, then test a few areas through a short stay or work rotation. Tip: guard against power outages by choosing accommodations with backup options and a flexible work setup.