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 $677 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

A couple spends around $982 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

A family of three spends around $1,287 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.73 PGK 34.06

$2.86 PGK 12.58

$23.80 PGK 105

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.15 PGK 212

$36.11 PGK 159

$144 PGK 636

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.85 PGK 25.75

$10.52 PGK 46.34

Cappuccino

$2.30 PGK 10.14

$1.17 PGK 5.15

$2.81 PGK 12.37

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

$0.90 PGK 3.94

$0.73 PGK 3.22

$1.46 PGK 6.45

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 PGK 3.28

$0.70 PGK 3.07

$1.16 PGK 5.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 PGK 12.97

$1.47 PGK 6.49

$7.37 PGK 32.43

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.59 PGK 20.20

$2.41 PGK 10.63

$6.04 PGK 26.58

Milk (1 liter)

$1.98 PGK 8.73

$1.70 PGK 7.48

$2.43 PGK 10.68

White Bread (500g)

$1.58 PGK 6.97

$1.22 PGK 5.36

$2.68 PGK 11.80

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.51 PGK 6.64

$1.21 PGK 5.35

$1.70 PGK 7.49

Eggs

$3.76 PGK 16.54

$2.85 PGK 12.57

$4.86 PGK 21.38

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.32 PGK 27.82

$3.20 PGK 14.11

$12.33 PGK 54.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.66 PGK 29.34

$3.91 PGK 17.20

$10.25 PGK 45.15

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.15 PGK 40.32

$6.08 PGK 26.79

$14.60 PGK 64.3

Apples (1kg)

$4.06 PGK 17.87

$1.91 PGK 8.41

$5.97 PGK 26.28

Banana (1kg)

$2.73 PGK 12.01

$1.17 PGK 5.17

$4.69 PGK 20.67

Oranges (1kg)

$4.92 PGK 21.65

$0.99 PGK 4.35

$11.85 PGK 52.2

Tomato (1kg)

$4.02 PGK 17.72

$1.18 PGK 5.18

$8.60 PGK 37.87

Potato (1kg)

$3.45 PGK 15.19

$1.48 PGK 6.53

$6.18 PGK 27.20

Onion (1kg)

$2.42 PGK 10.66

$0.94 PGK 4.16

$3.54 PGK 15.60

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.85 PGK 12.57

$0.70 PGK 3.08

$5.82 PGK 25.65

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 PGK 4.71

$0.49 PGK 2.17

$1.97 PGK 8.69

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.34 PGK 27.93

$5.07 PGK 22.33

$11.04 PGK 48.62

Wine (Bottle)

$10.92 PGK 48.10

$8.91 PGK 39.24

$17.83 PGK 78.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 PGK 11.54

$1.71 PGK 7.51

$3.66 PGK 16.10

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.55 PGK 15.63

$2.46 PGK 10.81

$5.89 PGK 25.95

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.47 PGK 2.06

$0.35 PGK 1.54

$0.47 PGK 2.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.26 PGK 124

$2.42 PGK 10.64

$46.38 PGK 204

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.51 PGK 24.28

$4.90 PGK 21.58

$7.35 PGK 32.37

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.50 PGK 11.01

$1.50 PGK 6.62

$2.50 PGK 11.01

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$17.09 PGK 75.3

$12.21 PGK 53.8

$24.41 PGK 108

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.12 PGK 4.92

$0.90 PGK 3.98

$1.22 PGK 5.37

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

$24.1K PGK 106.3K

$21.5K PGK 94.6K

$29.0K PGK 127.5K

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

$30.8K PGK 135.8K

$21.9K PGK 96.4K

$35.3K PGK 155.5K

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

$101 PGK 446

$66.2 PGK 291

$142 PGK 625

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

$48.45 PGK 213

$23.85 PGK 105

$56.1 PGK 247

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$211 PGK 928

$23.94 PGK 105

$718 PGK 3,162

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.0 PGK 277

$16.75 PGK 73.8

$144 PGK 632

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.44 PGK 54.8

$9.71 PGK 42.77

$15.78 PGK 69.5

Cinema Ticket

$9.80 PGK 43.17

$7.35 PGK 32.38

$12.25 PGK 54.0

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

$432 PGK 1,905

$193 PGK 850

$709 PGK 3,124

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,080 PGK 18.0K

$1,440 PGK 6,341

$7,199 PGK 31.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.65 PGK 157

$12.13 PGK 53.4

$50.9 PGK 224

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.24 PGK 160

$14.66 PGK 64.6

$48.87 PGK 215

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.4 PGK 301

$48.16 PGK 212

$84.3 PGK 371

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$65.9 PGK 290

$28.63 PGK 126

$143 PGK 630

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,043 PGK 13.4K

$1,537 PGK 6,771

$4,928 PGK 21.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$474 PGK 2,090

$237 PGK 1,045

$712 PGK 3,134

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,153 PGK 13.9K

$1,068 PGK 4,702

$5,458 PGK 24.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$713 PGK 3,139

$356 PGK 1,569

$950 PGK 4,185

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,088 PGK 9,195

$904 PGK 3,979

$4,231 PGK 18.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,779 PGK 16.6K

$667 PGK 2,937

$7,780 PGK 34.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$420 PGK 1,849

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: July 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Papua New Guinea is $318 – below average monthly costs of $677. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $171 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $30.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($677) is 49% below the global median of $1,336.

Average rent ($1,987) is 214% above the global median of $632.

Dining out ($30.00) is 38% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($8.00) is 76% 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	-	56	$788	$1,101	$1,435	$2,023	114.83	9.64
3	Bulolo	-						-	-
4	Lae	250948		$457	$1,213	$1,408	$1,356	214.97	15.85
5	Lihir Island	-		$250	$226	$548	$636	109.02	23.22
6	Madang	75589		$498	$514	$1,253	$1,849	112.05	20.3
7	Port Moresby	364145	86	$1,226	$1,686	$2,258	$3,145	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.