Cost of Living in Port Moresby - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,136 (excluding rent), and $1,687 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,240 (excluding rent), and $3,134 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.47 PGK 39.75

$4.73 PGK 19.87

$14.2 PGK 59.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.66 PGK 204

$36.49 PGK 153

$146 PGK 613

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.86 PGK 24.59

$4.22 PGK 17.7

$11.71 PGK 49.17

Cappuccino

$2.26 PGK 9.5

$1.19 PGK 5

$3.57 PGK 15

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

$0.82 PGK 3.42

$0.63 PGK 2.63

$2.51 PGK 10.53

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.79 PGK 3.33

$0.46 PGK 1.95

$1.16 PGK 4.87

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.47 PGK 10.37

$1.73 PGK 7.26

$4.45 PGK 18.67

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.05 PGK 16.99

$2.38 PGK 9.99

$5.95 PGK 24.98

Milk (1 liter)

$1.93 PGK 8.11

$1.64 PGK 6.88

$2.11 PGK 8.85

White Bread (500g)

$1.56 PGK 6.55

$1.19 PGK 4.98

$3.56 PGK 14.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 PGK 6.47

$1.21 PGK 5.08

$1.69 PGK 7.11

Eggs

$3.94 PGK 16.56

$2.97 PGK 12.45

$4.7 PGK 19.71

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.47 PGK 18.77

$3.14 PGK 13.19

$12.09 PGK 50.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.47 PGK 27.15

$3.7 PGK 15.52

$9.86 PGK 41.38

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.51 PGK 39.93

$6.66 PGK 27.95

$14.27 PGK 59.9

Apples (1kg)

$4.12 PGK 17.29

$1.95 PGK 8.2

$6.1 PGK 25.62

Banana (1kg)

$2.92 PGK 12.26

$1.22 PGK 5.11

$4.62 PGK 19.41

Oranges (1kg)

$5.46 PGK 22.91

$1.88 PGK 7.91

$10.6 PGK 44.51

Tomato (1kg)

$5.52 PGK 23.19

$1.14 PGK 4.8

$8.35 PGK 35.03

Potato (1kg)

$3.38 PGK 14.19

$1.47 PGK 6.18

$6.13 PGK 25.73

Onion (1kg)

$2.7 PGK 11.35

$1.66 PGK 6.96

$4.74 PGK 19.89

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.08 PGK 12.94

$1.23 PGK 5.14

$6.62 PGK 27.77

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.26 PGK 5.3

$0.82 PGK 3.43

$1.87 PGK 7.83

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.77 PGK 28.42

$4.75 PGK 19.95

$11.17 PGK 46.87

Wine (Bottle)

$11.91 PGK 49.99

$9.62 PGK 40.4

$18.05 PGK 75.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.81 PGK 11.78

$1.67 PGK 7

$3.61 PGK 15.16

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 PGK 16.41

$2.96 PGK 12.43

$5.43 PGK 22.8

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.46 PGK 1.92

$0.23 PGK 0.96

$1.14 PGK 4.81

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.78 PGK 99.8

$2.38 PGK 9.98

$45.66 PGK 192

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.83 PGK 24.46

$4.66 PGK 19.57

$9.32 PGK 39.13

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.42 PGK 10.14

$1.45 PGK 6.1

$2.42 PGK 10.14

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.71 PGK 70.2

$11.94 PGK 50.1

$23.87 PGK 100

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.08 PGK 4.52

$0.93 PGK 3.91

$1.16 PGK 4.89

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

$22.9K PGK 95.9K

$21.5K PGK 90.3K

$24.2K PGK 101.5K

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

$24.6K PGK 103.4K

$22.3K PGK 93.7K

$36K PGK 151.1K

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

$107 PGK 447

$48.22 PGK 202

$205 PGK 860

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

$47.5 PGK 199

$23.92 PGK 100

$56.2 PGK 236

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$375 PGK 1,575

$71.5 PGK 300

$715 PGK 3,001

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.3 PGK 274

$16.61 PGK 69.7

$142 PGK 598

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.02 PGK 84

$9.42 PGK 39.55

$20.02 PGK 84

Cinema Ticket

$9.88 PGK 41.48

$7.41 PGK 31.11

$12.35 PGK 51.9

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

$631 PGK 2,649

$473 PGK 1,987

$710 PGK 2,980

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,984 PGK 16.7K

$1,427 PGK 5,991

$8,325 PGK 34.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$32.06 PGK 135

$12.19 PGK 51.2

$43.88 PGK 184

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.33 PGK 153

$28.31 PGK 119

$59 PGK 248

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.1 PGK 328

$48.46 PGK 203

$84.8 PGK 356

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$100 PGK 420

$50.9 PGK 214

$145 PGK 611

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,137 PGK 8,972

$942 PGK 3,955

$4,907 PGK 20.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$475 PGK 1,994

$238 PGK 997

$713 PGK 2,992

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,454 PGK 14.5K

$1,079 PGK 4,531

$12K PGK 50.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$852 PGK 3,576

$730 PGK 3,065

$1,339 PGK 5,620

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,062 PGK 4,456

$944 PGK 3,961

$1,179 PGK 4,951

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,438 PGK 18.6K

$701 PGK 2,942

$8,176 PGK 34.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$447 PGK 1,876

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: November 22, 2025

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.