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

Name: Papua New Guinea
Address: PG

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $471 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

A couple spends around $746 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

A family of three spends around $1,021 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.46 PGK 32.33

$2.75 PGK 11.92

$22.94 PGK 99.4

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.96 PGK 195

$33.72 PGK 146

$135 PGK 585

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.53 PGK 23.96

$6.63 PGK 28.75

Cappuccino

$2.42 PGK 10.48

$1.12 PGK 4.87

$4.05 PGK 17.55

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

$0.81 PGK 3.49

$0.71 PGK 3.09

$2.37 PGK 10.26

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.68 PGK 2.93

$0.46 PGK 2.00

$1.16 PGK 5.01

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.76 PGK 11.95

$1.73 PGK 7.50

$4.14 PGK 17.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.99 PGK 17.30

$2.22 PGK 9.61

$5.54 PGK 24.02

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 PGK 8.19

$1.35 PGK 5.86

$2.25 PGK 9.74

White Bread (500g)

$1.45 PGK 6.28

$1.10 PGK 4.76

$1.98 PGK 8.59

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 PGK 6.14

$1.25 PGK 5.43

$1.61 PGK 6.98

Eggs

$3.72 PGK 16.12

$2.65 PGK 11.47

$4.50 PGK 19.51

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.33 PGK 27.43

$2.95 PGK 12.80

$38.39 PGK 166

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.70 PGK 24.69

$3.40 PGK 14.74

$9.53 PGK 41.30

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.19 PGK 39.86

$6.55 PGK 28.40

$12.44 PGK 53.9

Apples (1kg)

$4.06 PGK 17.60

$1.83 PGK 7.94

$5.72 PGK 24.79

Banana (1kg)

$3.29 PGK 14.25

$1.34 PGK 5.82

$4.46 PGK 19.34

Oranges (1kg)

$6.08 PGK 26.35

$1.56 PGK 6.78

$10.74 PGK 46.57

Tomato (1kg)

$4.83 PGK 20.94

$1.55 PGK 6.70

$7.30 PGK 31.62

Potato (1kg)

$3.67 PGK 15.92

$1.35 PGK 5.87

$5.62 PGK 24.38

Onion (1kg)

$2.54 PGK 10.99

$1.57 PGK 6.81

$3.37 PGK 14.61

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.79 PGK 7.78

$0.66 PGK 2.87

$2.64 PGK 11.45

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.06 PGK 4.59

$0.46 PGK 1.99

$1.84 PGK 7.99

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.45 PGK 27.95

$4.97 PGK 21.55

$7.00 PGK 30.34

Wine (Bottle)

$11.20 PGK 48.55

$9.15 PGK 39.65

$18.28 PGK 79.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.84 PGK 12.32

$1.85 PGK 8.02

$3.46 PGK 15.02

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.87 PGK 16.79

$2.32 PGK 10.04

$5.57 PGK 24.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.47 PGK 2.03

$0.35 PGK 1.54

$0.47 PGK 2.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.41 PGK 115

$2.26 PGK 9.78

$43.34 PGK 188

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.23 PGK 22.67

$4.64 PGK 20.13

$6.96 PGK 30.19

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.22 PGK 9.60

$1.33 PGK 5.78

$2.22 PGK 9.60

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$14.73 PGK 63.8

$11.33 PGK 49.12

$22.65 PGK 98.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.00 PGK 4.35

$0.83 PGK 3.59

$1.07 PGK 4.65

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

$23.0K PGK 99.8K

$20.5K PGK 88.8K

$36.8K PGK 159.6K

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

$23.0K PGK 99.6K

$20.8K PGK 90.2K

$33.6K PGK 145.5K

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

$93.8 PGK 407

$62.2 PGK 269

$155 PGK 674

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

$28.18 PGK 122

$13.75 PGK 59.6

$53.9 PGK 233

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$120 PGK 518

$22.56 PGK 97.8

$677 PGK 2,934

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.4 PGK 283

$24.41 PGK 106

$135 PGK 586

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.42 PGK 88.5

$8.96 PGK 38.83

$20.42 PGK 88.5

Cinema Ticket

$8.86 PGK 38.39

$6.64 PGK 28.76

$11.73 PGK 50.9

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

$557 PGK 2,415

$346 PGK 1,499

$1,614 PGK 6,997

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,612 PGK 24.3K

$1,356 PGK 5,879

$8,580 PGK 37.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.17 PGK 157

$11.32 PGK 49.06

$48.65 PGK 211

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.73 PGK 133

$13.36 PGK 57.9

$44.54 PGK 193

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.7 PGK 306

$45.59 PGK 198

$342 PGK 1,482

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$95.0 PGK 412

$27.46 PGK 119

$343 PGK 1,488

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,629 PGK 7,060

$448 PGK 1,942

$2,883 PGK 12.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$452 PGK 1,958

$222 PGK 963

$666 PGK 2,889

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,622 PGK 11.4K

$1,127 PGK 4,886

$4,576 PGK 19.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,095 PGK 4,746

$689 PGK 2,985

$1,448 PGK 6,278

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,094 PGK 9,077

$906 PGK 3,928

$4,243 PGK 18.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,878 PGK 16.8K

$684 PGK 2,966

$7,983 PGK 34.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$430 PGK 1,863

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.67

6.5

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

Last update: August 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Papua New Guinea is $321 – below average monthly costs of $471. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $119 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $19.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($471) is 65% below the global median of $1,358.

Average rent ($791) is 22% above the global median of $650.

Dining out ($19.00) is 61% below the global median of $49.00.

Public transport ($7.00) is 79% below the global median of $33.00.

By City in Papua New Guinea

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	Alotau	47367						105.62	55.51
2	Boroko	-	42	$704	$921	$1,267	$1,722	114.83	9.64
3	Bulolo	-						-	-
4	Lae	250948		$546	$849	$1,668	$2,163	214.97	15.85
5	Lihir Island	-						109.02	23.22
6	Madang	75589						112.05	20.3
7	Port Moresby	364145	72	$869	$1,526	$2,032	$3,263	112.38	9.64

Papua New Guinea 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 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.

Papua New Guinea is affordable by global standards, though costs vary a lot by region. Smaller cities and rural areas are genuinely cheap, while capitals and tourist spots are pricier – but still below international averages for similar quality.

Rent in Papua New Guinea varies a lot – Port Moresby has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.

Absolutely – in smaller cities across Papua New Guinea, $1,000 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.