Cost of Living in Port Moresby - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,104 (excluding rent), and $1,691 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,273 (excluding rent), and $3,249 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.45 PGK 40.37

$4.73 PGK 20.18

$14.18 PGK 60.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.31 PGK 206

$36.23 PGK 155

$145 PGK 619

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.96 PGK 25.46

$4.29 PGK 18.33

$11.92 PGK 50.9

Cappuccino

$2.34 PGK 10.00

$1.23 PGK 5.27

$3.70 PGK 15.80

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

$0.80 PGK 3.42

$0.62 PGK 2.63

$2.46 PGK 10.51

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.84 PGK 3.57

$0.49 PGK 2.09

$1.23 PGK 5.23

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.37 PGK 10.14

$1.66 PGK 7.10

$4.27 PGK 18.25

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.03 PGK 17.21

$2.37 PGK 10.12

$5.93 PGK 25.31

Milk (1 liter)

$1.99 PGK 8.51

$1.69 PGK 7.22

$2.17 PGK 9.28

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 PGK 6.91

$1.23 PGK 5.25

$3.69 PGK 15.75

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 PGK 6.66

$1.22 PGK 5.22

$1.71 PGK 7.31

Eggs

$3.75 PGK 16.03

$2.82 PGK 12.06

$4.47 PGK 19.09

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.54 PGK 19.39

$3.19 PGK 13.62

$12.27 PGK 52.4

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.20 PGK 26.49

$3.54 PGK 15.13

$9.45 PGK 40.36

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.34 PGK 39.87

$6.54 PGK 27.91

$14.00 PGK 59.8

Apples (1kg)

$4.02 PGK 17.18

$1.91 PGK 8.14

$5.96 PGK 25.45

Banana (1kg)

$2.93 PGK 12.51

$1.22 PGK 5.21

$4.64 PGK 19.80

Oranges (1kg)

$5.59 PGK 23.87

$1.93 PGK 8.24

$10.86 PGK 46.37

Tomato (1kg)

$5.64 PGK 24.06

$1.17 PGK 4.98

$8.51 PGK 36.36

Potato (1kg)

$3.33 PGK 14.20

$1.45 PGK 6.18

$6.03 PGK 25.74

Onion (1kg)

$2.76 PGK 11.79

$1.69 PGK 7.23

$4.84 PGK 20.65

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.98 PGK 12.73

$1.18 PGK 5.06

$6.40 PGK 27.32

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.28 PGK 5.44

$0.82 PGK 3.52

$1.88 PGK 8.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.93 PGK 29.61

$4.87 PGK 20.78

$11.43 PGK 48.83

Wine (Bottle)

$11.64 PGK 49.71

$9.41 PGK 40.19

$17.65 PGK 75.4

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.89 PGK 12.33

$1.71 PGK 7.32

$3.71 PGK 15.86

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.72 PGK 15.89

$2.82 PGK 12.05

$5.17 PGK 22.08

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.46 PGK 1.97

$0.23 PGK 0.99

$1.16 PGK 4.94

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$24.41 PGK 104

$2.44 PGK 10.42

$46.86 PGK 200

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.85 PGK 25.00

$4.68 PGK 20.00

$9.37 PGK 40.00

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.40 PGK 10.24

$1.44 PGK 6.16

$2.40 PGK 10.24

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$17.00 PGK 72.6

$12.15 PGK 51.9

$24.29 PGK 104

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.08 PGK 4.60

$0.93 PGK 3.98

$1.17 PGK 4.98

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

$22.4K PGK 95.7K

$21.1K PGK 90.1K

$23.7K PGK 101.3K

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

$24.9K PGK 106.5K

$22.6K PGK 96.5K

$36.4K PGK 155.6K

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

$107 PGK 458

$48.56 PGK 207

$206 PGK 881

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

$48.43 PGK 207

$24.39 PGK 104

$57.3 PGK 245

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$382 PGK 1,633

$72.8 PGK 311

$728 PGK 3,110

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$67.3 PGK 287

$17.10 PGK 73.0

$147 PGK 626

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.31 PGK 86.7

$9.56 PGK 40.80

$20.31 PGK 86.7

Cinema Ticket

$9.35 PGK 39.92

$7.01 PGK 29.94

$11.69 PGK 49.90

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

$641 PGK 2,737

$481 PGK 2,053

$721 PGK 3,079

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,039 PGK 17.2K

$1,447 PGK 6,179

$8,441 PGK 36.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.46 PGK 134

$11.96 PGK 51.1

$43.06 PGK 184

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.77 PGK 157

$28.65 PGK 122

$59.7 PGK 255

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.0 PGK 324

$47.12 PGK 201

$82.5 PGK 352

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.4 PGK 424

$50.6 PGK 216

$145 PGK 617

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,211 PGK 9,443

$975 PGK 4,162

$5,077 PGK 21.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$475 PGK 2,030

$238 PGK 1,015

$713 PGK 3,045

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,467 PGK 14.8K

$1,083 PGK 4,626

$12.0K PGK 51.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$833 PGK 3,555

$714 PGK 3,047

$1,308 PGK 5,586

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,132 PGK 9,105

$923 PGK 3,940

$4,320 PGK 18.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,965 PGK 16.9K

$700 PGK 2,988

$8,163 PGK 34.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$455 PGK 1,942

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.33

6.5

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Port Moresby Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

181

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

City tags:

Cost of Living in Port Moresby - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea tends to sit in the middle range among regional capitals, with clear variation by location and lifestyle. You’ll notice housing and utilities can swing based on security features, building type, and distance to services. Dining out offers everything from street food to cafes, while groceries balance local produce with imported items that carry a premium. Local markets help you stretch a budget, and public services are reliable in some districts but less predictable in others. The overall vibe is practical and adaptable for different work styles. Tip: Start with a realistic budget split for housing, transport, and groceries, then test a few neighborhoods to feel the difference in daily life.

Daily life in Port Moresby blends convenience with discovery. Housing options range from secure inner-city apartments to larger compounds farther out, often with utilities bundled or negotiable. For food, you can mix local markets, casual eateries, and select grocery stores – plan for items that suit your taste and budget. Transport relies on rideshares, taxis, and some bus routes, with traffic shaping your commutes and safety guiding route choices. Co-working spaces and short-term offices can keep you productive between errands. In general, Port Moresby living cost reflects location and lifestyle choices. Tip: Build a weekly routine that groups groceries, banking, and admin in the same area to cut trips.

Quality of life here hinges on neighborhood fit, budgeting approach, and the pace of life you prefer. A practical framework is to separate essential needs from discretionary spending, then adjust monthly as you settle. Look for neighborhoods that balance safety, access to shops, and transport links – areas near Waigani, Boroko, or the city center often offer shorter commutes but higher rents. Save by cooking at home, buying in-season produce, and using public transport or shared rides for occasional trips. Seasonality matters: humidity and tropical showers can affect outdoor plans and utility use. Tip: Schedule a 30-60 day trial in a couple of areas before locking a longer lease.