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

Name: Papua New Guinea
Address: PG

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $909 (excluding rent), and $1,475 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,970 (excluding rent), and $2,835 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.58 PGK 31.67

$2.8 PGK 11.7

$23.32 PGK 97.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.44 PGK 203

$36.33 PGK 152

$145 PGK 608

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.85 PGK 24.46

$10.53 PGK 44.02

Cappuccino

$2.31 PGK 9.64

$1.17 PGK 4.9

$2.81 PGK 11.76

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

$0.91 PGK 3.81

$0.75 PGK 3.12

$1.49 PGK 6.23

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.74 PGK 3.1

$0.69 PGK 2.9

$1.16 PGK 4.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.89 PGK 12.08

$1.45 PGK 6.04

$7.23 PGK 30.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.58 PGK 19.15

$2.41 PGK 10.08

$6.03 PGK 25.2

Milk (1 liter)

$1.91 PGK 8

$1.64 PGK 6.86

$2.34 PGK 9.79

White Bread (500g)

$1.55 PGK 6.48

$1.19 PGK 4.98

$2.62 PGK 10.96

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.47 PGK 6.14

$1.18 PGK 4.95

$1.66 PGK 6.92

Eggs

$3.85 PGK 16.08

$2.92 PGK 12.22

$4.97 PGK 20.79

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6 PGK 25.08

$3.04 PGK 12.72

$11.71 PGK 48.94

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.71 PGK 28.06

$3.94 PGK 16.45

$10.33 PGK 43.18

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.87 PGK 37.06

$5.89 PGK 24.63

$14.14 PGK 59.1

Apples (1kg)

$3.99 PGK 16.68

$1.88 PGK 7.85

$5.87 PGK 24.53

Banana (1kg)

$2.85 PGK 11.91

$1.23 PGK 5.12

$4.9 PGK 20.49

Oranges (1kg)

$4.86 PGK 20.31

$0.98 PGK 4.08

$11.71 PGK 48.96

Tomato (1kg)

$4.04 PGK 16.91

$1.18 PGK 4.95

$8.65 PGK 36.14

Potato (1kg)

$3.25 PGK 13.6

$1.4 PGK 5.85

$5.83 PGK 24.35

Onion (1kg)

$2.49 PGK 10.41

$0.97 PGK 4.06

$3.64 PGK 15.23

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.92 PGK 12.2

$0.71 PGK 2.99

$5.96 PGK 24.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.06 PGK 4.42

$0.49 PGK 2.04

$1.95 PGK 8.15

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.57 PGK 27.44

$5.25 PGK 21.94

$11.43 PGK 47.77

Wine (Bottle)

$11.18 PGK 46.74

$9.13 PGK 38.15

$17.12 PGK 71.6

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 PGK 10.66

$1.66 PGK 6.94

$3.56 PGK 14.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.49 PGK 14.6

$2.42 PGK 10.1

$5.8 PGK 24.24

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.46 PGK 1.93

$0.35 PGK 1.44

$0.46 PGK 1.93

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.6 PGK 115

$2.36 PGK 9.86

$45.29 PGK 189

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.53 PGK 23.11

$4.91 PGK 20.54

$7.37 PGK 30.81

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.42 PGK 10.11

$1.45 PGK 6.08

$2.42 PGK 10.11

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.56 PGK 69.2

$11.83 PGK 49.43

$23.65 PGK 98.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.08 PGK 4.53

$0.88 PGK 3.66

$1.18 PGK 4.94

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

$23.6K PGK 98.6K

$21K PGK 87.7K

$28.3K PGK 118.3K

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

$31.8K PGK 132.9K

$22.6K PGK 94.3K

$36.4K PGK 152.2K

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

$102 PGK 428

$67 PGK 280

$144 PGK 600

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

$49.21 PGK 206

$24.22 PGK 101

$56.9 PGK 238

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$208 PGK 868

$23.6 PGK 98.7

$708 PGK 2,960

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.4 PGK 269

$17.12 PGK 71.6

$147 PGK 613

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.37 PGK 51.7

$9.66 PGK 40.37

$15.69 PGK 65.6

Cinema Ticket

$9.79 PGK 40.92

$7.34 PGK 30.69

$12.24 PGK 51.2

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

$448 PGK 1,871

$200 PGK 835

$734 PGK 3,069

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,045 PGK 16.9K

$1,428 PGK 5,967

$7,138 PGK 29.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.34 PGK 148

$12.02 PGK 50.3

$50.5 PGK 211

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.48 PGK 148

$14.35 PGK 60

$47.83 PGK 200

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.4 PGK 282

$47.44 PGK 198

$83 PGK 347

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$66.4 PGK 278

$28.88 PGK 121

$144 PGK 604

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,139 PGK 13.1K

$1,586 PGK 6,628

$5,082 PGK 21.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$477 PGK 1,995

$239 PGK 998

$716 PGK 2,993

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,145 PGK 13.1K

$1,065 PGK 4,452

$5,444 PGK 22.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$729 PGK 3,049

$365 PGK 1,525

$973 PGK 4,066

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,712 PGK 11.3K

$1,179 PGK 4,930

$4,417 PGK 18.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,955 PGK 16.5K

$698 PGK 2,917

$8,141 PGK 34K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$404 PGK 1,688

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.75

6.5

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.