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 $689 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

A couple spends around $986 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

A family of three spends around $1,282 per month with rent on average in Papua New Guinea.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.71 PGK 33.66

$2.85 PGK 12.43

$23.71 PGK 104

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.21 PGK 211

$36.16 PGK 158

$145 PGK 632

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.91 PGK 25.84

$10.65 PGK 46.51

Cappuccino

$2.40 PGK 10.49

$1.22 PGK 5.33

$2.93 PGK 12.80

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

$0.90 PGK 3.95

$0.74 PGK 3.23

$1.48 PGK 6.46

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.81 PGK 3.52

$0.75 PGK 3.29

$1.26 PGK 5.49

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.80 PGK 12.22

$1.40 PGK 6.11

$7.00 PGK 30.56

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.63 PGK 20.21

$2.43 PGK 10.64

$6.09 PGK 26.59

Milk (1 liter)

$1.94 PGK 8.46

$1.66 PGK 7.25

$2.37 PGK 10.36

White Bread (500g)

$1.58 PGK 6.91

$1.22 PGK 5.31

$2.68 PGK 11.69

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.51 PGK 6.62

$1.22 PGK 5.33

$1.71 PGK 7.46

Eggs

$3.83 PGK 16.74

$2.91 PGK 12.72

$4.95 PGK 21.64

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.06 PGK 26.49

$3.08 PGK 13.44

$11.83 PGK 51.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.56 PGK 28.66

$3.85 PGK 16.80

$10.10 PGK 44.10

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.84 PGK 38.59

$5.87 PGK 25.64

$14.09 PGK 61.6

Apples (1kg)

$3.98 PGK 17.39

$1.87 PGK 8.18

$5.85 PGK 25.57

Banana (1kg)

$2.87 PGK 12.55

$1.24 PGK 5.40

$4.94 PGK 21.59

Oranges (1kg)

$4.81 PGK 20.99

$0.97 PGK 4.22

$11.58 PGK 50.6

Tomato (1kg)

$3.87 PGK 16.90

$1.13 PGK 4.95

$8.27 PGK 36.13

Potato (1kg)

$3.37 PGK 14.70

$1.45 PGK 6.32

$6.03 PGK 26.33

Onion (1kg)

$2.51 PGK 10.95

$0.98 PGK 4.27

$3.67 PGK 16.02

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.88 PGK 12.56

$0.70 PGK 3.08

$5.87 PGK 25.63

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 PGK 4.45

$0.47 PGK 2.05

$1.88 PGK 8.21

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.45 PGK 28.17

$5.15 PGK 22.52

$11.23 PGK 49.03

Wine (Bottle)

$11.18 PGK 48.82

$9.13 PGK 39.88

$18.25 PGK 79.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.65 PGK 11.58

$1.73 PGK 7.54

$3.70 PGK 16.16

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.39 PGK 14.82

$2.35 PGK 10.25

$5.63 PGK 24.61

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.46 PGK 2.00

$0.34 PGK 1.50

$0.46 PGK 2.00

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.48 PGK 124

$2.43 PGK 10.63

$46.74 PGK 204

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.32 PGK 23.25

$4.73 PGK 20.67

$7.10 PGK 31.01

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.39 PGK 10.45

$1.44 PGK 6.28

$2.39 PGK 10.45

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.63 PGK 72.6

$11.88 PGK 51.9

$23.75 PGK 104

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.08 PGK 4.71

$0.87 PGK 3.81

$1.18 PGK 5.14

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

$24.0K PGK 104.7K

$21.3K PGK 93.2K

$28.8K PGK 125.7K

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

$31.0K PGK 135.4K

$22.0K PGK 96.1K

$35.5K PGK 155.1K

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

$103 PGK 450

$67.3 PGK 294

$144 PGK 630

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

$47.82 PGK 209

$23.54 PGK 103

$55.3 PGK 242

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$212 PGK 928

$24.13 PGK 105

$724 PGK 3,162

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.6 PGK 273

$16.65 PGK 72.7

$143 PGK 624

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.39 PGK 54.1

$9.67 PGK 42.23

$15.71 PGK 68.6

Cinema Ticket

$9.80 PGK 42.80

$7.35 PGK 32.10

$12.25 PGK 53.5

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

$438 PGK 1,913

$196 PGK 854

$718 PGK 3,137

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,137 PGK 18.1K

$1,460 PGK 6,377

$7,300 PGK 31.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.16 PGK 154

$11.96 PGK 52.2

$50.2 PGK 219

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.16 PGK 158

$14.63 PGK 63.9

$48.76 PGK 213

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.3 PGK 299

$48.13 PGK 210

$84.2 PGK 368

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$66.6 PGK 291

$28.96 PGK 127

$145 PGK 633

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,074 PGK 13.4K

$1,553 PGK 6,784

$4,978 PGK 21.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$477 PGK 2,082

$238 PGK 1,041

$715 PGK 3,124

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,229 PGK 14.1K

$1,094 PGK 4,778

$5,590 PGK 24.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$734 PGK 3,206

$367 PGK 1,603

$979 PGK 4,275

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,150 PGK 9,394

$931 PGK 4,065

$4,357 PGK 19.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,824 PGK 16.7K

$675 PGK 2,948

$7,873 PGK 34.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$428 PGK 1,870

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: June 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Papua New Guinea is $321 – below average monthly costs of $689. 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 $29.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($689) is 48% below the global median of $1,333.

Average rent ($1,968) is 215% above the global median of $624.

Dining out ($29.00) is 40% 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	$914	$1,114	$1,732	$2,023	114.83	9.64
3	Bulolo	-						-	-
4	Lae	250948		$507	$1,244	$1,347	$1,356	214.97	15.85
5	Lihir Island	-		$259	$230	$719	$626	109.02	23.22
6	Madang	75589		$471	$513	$1,322	$1,820	112.05	20.3
7	Port Moresby	364145	86	$1,033	$1,719	$2,002	$3,147	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.