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 $699 per month with rent on average across Papua New Guinea.

A couple spends around $996 per month with rent on average across Papua New Guinea.

A family of three spends around $1,292 per month with rent on average across Papua New Guinea.

Across 7 cities in Papua New Guinea, monthly living costs range from $0 to $1,723 – a $1,723 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.59 PGK 33.32

$2.80 PGK 12.30

$23.36 PGK 103

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.88 PGK 210

$35.91 PGK 158

$144 PGK 631

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.13 PGK 26.89

$11.03 PGK 48.40

Cappuccino

$2.30 PGK 10.10

$1.17 PGK 5.14

$2.81 PGK 12.33

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

$0.91 PGK 3.98

$0.74 PGK 3.26

$1.48 PGK 6.52

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.79 PGK 3.45

$0.74 PGK 3.23

$1.23 PGK 5.38

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.83 PGK 12.43

$1.42 PGK 6.22

$7.08 PGK 31.09

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.48 PGK 19.66

$2.36 PGK 10.35

$5.89 PGK 25.87

Milk (1 liter)

$1.94 PGK 8.51

$1.66 PGK 7.29

$2.37 PGK 10.42

White Bread (500g)

$1.52 PGK 6.67

$1.17 PGK 5.13

$2.57 PGK 11.30

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.48 PGK 6.48

$1.19 PGK 5.22

$1.66 PGK 7.31

Eggs

$3.81 PGK 16.71

$2.89 PGK 12.70

$4.92 PGK 21.60

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.19 PGK 27.16

$3.14 PGK 13.78

$12.07 PGK 53.0

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.72 PGK 29.50

$3.94 PGK 17.30

$10.34 PGK 45.40

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.25 PGK 40.60

$6.15 PGK 26.98

$14.75 PGK 64.8

Apples (1kg)

$4.06 PGK 17.82

$1.91 PGK 8.39

$5.97 PGK 26.21

Banana (1kg)

$2.81 PGK 12.34

$1.21 PGK 5.31

$4.84 PGK 21.24

Oranges (1kg)

$4.67 PGK 20.49

$0.94 PGK 4.12

$11.25 PGK 49.39

Tomato (1kg)

$3.97 PGK 17.41

$1.16 PGK 5.09

$8.48 PGK 37.22

Potato (1kg)

$3.37 PGK 14.80

$1.45 PGK 6.36

$6.04 PGK 26.52

Onion (1kg)

$2.40 PGK 10.53

$0.94 PGK 4.11

$3.51 PGK 15.42

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.90 PGK 12.74

$0.71 PGK 3.12

$5.92 PGK 26.01

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 PGK 4.47

$0.47 PGK 2.06

$1.88 PGK 8.25

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.59 PGK 28.91

$5.27 PGK 23.11

$11.47 PGK 50.3

Wine (Bottle)

$11.39 PGK 50.0

$9.21 PGK 40.42

$18.40 PGK 80.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.56 PGK 11.26

$1.67 PGK 7.33

$3.58 PGK 15.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.56 PGK 15.62

$2.46 PGK 10.80

$5.90 PGK 25.92

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.50 PGK 2.20

$0.38 PGK 1.65

$0.50 PGK 2.20

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.31 PGK 124

$2.42 PGK 10.62

$46.46 PGK 204

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.32 PGK 23.34

$4.73 PGK 20.75

$7.09 PGK 31.12

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.40 PGK 10.52

$1.44 PGK 6.33

$2.40 PGK 10.52

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.59 PGK 72.8

$11.85 PGK 52.0

$23.69 PGK 104

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.07 PGK 4.71

$0.87 PGK 3.81

$1.17 PGK 5.13

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

$24.0K PGK 105.5K

$21.4K PGK 93.9K

$28.9K PGK 126.7K

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

$31.5K PGK 138.3K

$22.4K PGK 98.2K

$36.1K PGK 158.4K

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

$101 PGK 445

$66.3 PGK 291

$142 PGK 624

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

$47.81 PGK 210

$23.54 PGK 103

$55.3 PGK 243

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$213 PGK 935

$24.21 PGK 106

$726 PGK 3,189

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.4 PGK 274

$16.59 PGK 72.8

$142 PGK 624

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.32 PGK 54.1

$9.62 PGK 42.23

$15.63 PGK 68.6

Cinema Ticket

$9.49 PGK 41.66

$7.12 PGK 31.24

$11.86 PGK 52.1

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

$443 PGK 1,946

$198 PGK 869

$727 PGK 3,192

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,152 PGK 18.2K

$1,466 PGK 6,434

$7,328 PGK 32.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.14 PGK 154

$11.95 PGK 52.5

$50.2 PGK 220

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.95 PGK 153

$14.14 PGK 62.1

$47.13 PGK 207

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.5 PGK 301

$48.24 PGK 212

$84.4 PGK 371

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$65.5 PGK 288

$28.49 PGK 125

$142 PGK 625

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,126 PGK 13.7K

$1,579 PGK 6,932

$5,061 PGK 22.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$483 PGK 2,122

$242 PGK 1,061

$725 PGK 3,182

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,199 PGK 14.0K

$1,083 PGK 4,756

$5,538 PGK 24.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$720 PGK 3,163

$360 PGK 1,581

$961 PGK 4,217

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,692 PGK 11.8K

$1,171 PGK 5,140

$4,386 PGK 19.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,869 PGK 17.0K

$683 PGK 2,997

$7,964 PGK 35.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$408 PGK 1,791

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: April 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $1,969 nationally. In Port Moresby, expect around $2,162, while Bulolo – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $0.

The average net salary across Papua New Guinea is $303 – below average monthly costs of $699. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $177 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $30.

Most affordable: Bulolo at $0 per month. The capital, Port Moresby, sits at $1,723. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $1,723 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($699) is 48% below the global median of $1,347.

Average rent ($1,969) is 213% above the global median of $629.

Dining out ($30) is 38% below the global median of $48.

Public transport ($8) is 76% below the global median of $33.

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	$774	$1,134	$1,442	$2,014	114.83	9.64
3	Bulolo	-						-	-
4	Lae	250948		$443	$1,240	$1,267	$1,377	214.97	15.85
5	Lihir Island	-		$268	$249	$703	$654	109.02	23.22
6	Madang	75589		$470	$546	$1,114	$1,861	112.05	20.3
7	Port Moresby	364145	86	$1,124	$1,723	$2,223	$3,138	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, $1,500 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.