Last update: Oct 2026 8.9M

Cost of Living in Papua New Guinea

Name: Papua New Guinea
Address: PG

Across Papua New Guinea, living costs for one person average $1,375 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $26 a day.

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🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Papua New Guinea

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

A single person spends around $1,375 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

$1,375 /mo

A couple spends around $2,177 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

$2,177 /mo

A family of three spends around $2,979 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

$2,979 /mo

Across 7 cities in Papua New Guinea, monthly living costs range from $817 to $1,427 – a $610 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.09 PGK 31.02

$2.62 PGK 11.47

$21.80 PGK 95.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.44 PGK 195

$33.33 PGK 146

$133 PGK 584

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.49 PGK 24.03

$6.58 PGK 28.82

Cappuccino

$2.29 PGK 10.04

$1.06 PGK 4.66

$3.85 PGK 16.84

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

$0.78 PGK 3.40

$0.68 PGK 2.99

$2.27 PGK 9.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.66 PGK 2.87

$0.45 PGK 1.98

$1.12 PGK 4.89

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.59 PGK 11.33

$1.61 PGK 7.07

$3.88 PGK 16.98

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.04 PGK 17.69

$2.25 PGK 9.83

$5.61 PGK 24.56

Milk (1 liter)

$1.86 PGK 8.14

$1.55 PGK 6.77

$2.21 PGK 9.69

White Bread (500g)

$1.48 PGK 6.47

$1.10 PGK 4.83

$1.99 PGK 8.73

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.37 PGK 5.98

$1.21 PGK 5.31

$1.56 PGK 6.82

Eggs

$3.72 PGK 16.27

$2.66 PGK 11.62

$4.50 PGK 19.71

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.26 PGK 27.41

$2.83 PGK 12.38

$36.81 PGK 161

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.72 PGK 25.06

$3.19 PGK 13.95

$9.56 PGK 41.86

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.88 PGK 38.87

$6.33 PGK 27.70

$12.88 PGK 56.4

Apples (1kg)

$4.00 PGK 17.50

$1.72 PGK 7.54

$5.60 PGK 24.53

Banana (1kg)

$3.33 PGK 14.59

$1.30 PGK 5.69

$6.51 PGK 28.48

Oranges (1kg)

$6.08 PGK 26.63

$1.57 PGK 6.86

$14.56 PGK 63.8

Tomato (1kg)

$5.24 PGK 22.92

$1.54 PGK 6.76

$7.73 PGK 33.83

Potato (1kg)

$3.18 PGK 13.90

$1.07 PGK 4.66

$5.34 PGK 23.40

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 PGK 11.95

$1.54 PGK 6.75

$4.41 PGK 19.32

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.01 PGK 8.81

$0.67 PGK 2.95

$3.35 PGK 14.66

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.18 PGK 5.16

$0.45 PGK 1.97

$2.02 PGK 8.83

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.33 PGK 27.69

$4.72 PGK 20.66

$6.63 PGK 29.04

Wine (Bottle)

$10.82 PGK 47.37

$8.92 PGK 39.07

$17.85 PGK 78.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.43 PGK 10.64

$1.33 PGK 5.83

$3.34 PGK 14.60

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 PGK 15.88

$2.20 PGK 9.63

$5.27 PGK 23.09

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.42 PGK 1.86

$0.32 PGK 1.39

$0.42 PGK 1.86

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.21 PGK 115

$2.19 PGK 9.57

$41.94 PGK 184

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.04 PGK 22.08

$4.49 PGK 19.66

$6.73 PGK 29.44

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.16 PGK 9.47

$1.08 PGK 4.71

$2.16 PGK 9.47

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.21 PGK 53.5

$7.77 PGK 34.04

$15.54 PGK 68.0

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 PGK 4.48

$0.83 PGK 3.63

$1.12 PGK 4.88

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

$28.1K PGK 123.2K

$21.6K PGK 94.8K

$34.6K PGK 151.6K

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

$22.2K PGK 97.3K

$20.1K PGK 88.1K

$32.5K PGK 142.1K

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

$94.0 PGK 411

$62.3 PGK 273

$156 PGK 681

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

$24.78 PGK 109

$13.22 PGK 57.9

$44.06 PGK 193

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$106 PGK 464

$22.30 PGK 97.6

$223 PGK 976

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.7 PGK 283

$24.14 PGK 106

$134 PGK 585

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.49 PGK 103

$13.02 PGK 57.0

$23.49 PGK 103

Cinema Ticket

$8.85 PGK 38.76

$6.64 PGK 29.06

$12.06 PGK 52.8

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

$503 PGK 2,203

$324 PGK 1,417

$1,510 PGK 6,612

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,538 PGK 24.2K

$1,338 PGK 5,859

$8,467 PGK 37.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.04 PGK 158

$19.27 PGK 84.3

$45.46 PGK 199

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.40 PGK 146

$13.02 PGK 57.0

$43.38 PGK 190

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.8 PGK 270

$32.17 PGK 141

$322 PGK 1,409

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$85.3 PGK 373

$26.10 PGK 114

$326 PGK 1,428

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,367 PGK 5,986

$444 PGK 1,943

$2,856 PGK 12.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$503 PGK 2,202

$264 PGK 1,157

$661 PGK 2,893

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,690 PGK 11.8K

$1,100 PGK 4,817

$4,621 PGK 20.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,070 PGK 4,684

$659 PGK 2,883

$1,385 PGK 6,064

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,036 PGK 8,913

$881 PGK 3,857

$4,125 PGK 18.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,661 PGK 16.0K

$646 PGK 2,828

$7,537 PGK 33.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$415 PGK 1,817

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: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Papua New Guinea $1,375

Accommodation & Living

$503 36.6%

Groceries & Markets

$296 21.6%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$225 16.3%

Eating Out

$127 9.3%

Clothing & Footwear

$97 7.1%

Sport & Entertainment

$82 6%

Getting Around

$44 3.2%

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $1,741 nationally. In Port Moresby, expect around $1,451, while Lae – the country’s most affordable city overall – comes in at $436.

The average net salary in Papua New Guinea is $312 – below average monthly costs of $1,375. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $273 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $42.

Most affordable: Lae at $817 per month. The capital, Port Moresby, sits at $1,427. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $610 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Average rent ($1,741) is 163% above the global median of $661.

Public transport ($26) is 21% below the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

06:51 6:51 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

8,935,000

💱 Currency

Papua New Guinean Kina PGK K

📈 Exchange rate

1 PGK = 0.228 USD

1 PGK = 0.205 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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	$586	$868	$1,369	$1,649	114.83	9.64
3	Bulolo	16042						-	-
4	Lae	250948		$556	$817	$1,504	$2,123	214.97	15.85
5	Lihir Island	-						109.02	23.22
6	Madang	75589						112.05	20.3
7	Port Moresby	364145	69	$773	$1,427	$1,830	$3,068	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.

In 2026, monthly costs in Papua New Guinea range from $817 in the most affordable city to $1,427 in the most expensive one. Where you choose to live makes a dramatic difference – the gap between cheapest and most expensive cities is huge.

Living costs across Papua New Guinea vary hugely by location. In 2026, monthly expenses range from $817 in affordable regions to $1,427 in major cities.

Rent in Papua New Guinea varies a lot – Port Moresby has the highest prices, and other cities are usually cheaper. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make.

Absolutely – in smaller cities across Papua New Guinea, $1,500 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.