Cost of Living in Port Moresby - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,119 (excluding rent), and $1,701 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,232 (excluding rent), and $3,203 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.53 PGK 41.46

$4.77 PGK 20.73

$14.30 PGK 62.2

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.36 PGK 206

$35.52 PGK 155

$142 PGK 618

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.11 PGK 26.56

$4.40 PGK 19.12

$12.21 PGK 53.1

Cappuccino

$2.25 PGK 9.78

$1.18 PGK 5.15

$3.55 PGK 15.44

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

$0.75 PGK 3.27

$0.58 PGK 2.52

$2.32 PGK 10.07

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 PGK 3.70

$0.50 PGK 2.16

$1.24 PGK 5.41

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.35 PGK 10.21

$1.64 PGK 7.14

$4.22 PGK 18.37

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.97 PGK 17.29

$2.34 PGK 10.17

$5.84 PGK 25.42

Milk (1 liter)

$1.95 PGK 8.48

$1.65 PGK 7.20

$2.13 PGK 9.26

White Bread (500g)

$1.61 PGK 6.99

$1.22 PGK 5.31

$3.66 PGK 15.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.51 PGK 6.59

$1.19 PGK 5.17

$1.66 PGK 7.23

Eggs

$3.92 PGK 17.07

$2.95 PGK 12.84

$4.67 PGK 20.32

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.48 PGK 19.47

$3.15 PGK 13.68

$12.10 PGK 52.6

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.42 PGK 27.91

$3.67 PGK 15.95

$9.78 PGK 42.53

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.41 PGK 40.95

$6.59 PGK 28.66

$14.12 PGK 61.4

Apples (1kg)

$4.04 PGK 17.57

$1.91 PGK 8.33

$5.98 PGK 26.03

Banana (1kg)

$2.83 PGK 12.29

$1.18 PGK 5.12

$4.48 PGK 19.47

Oranges (1kg)

$5.53 PGK 24.05

$1.91 PGK 8.30

$10.74 PGK 46.71

Tomato (1kg)

$5.72 PGK 24.87

$1.18 PGK 5.14

$8.64 PGK 37.57

Potato (1kg)

$3.41 PGK 14.82

$1.48 PGK 6.45

$6.18 PGK 26.86

Onion (1kg)

$2.82 PGK 12.27

$1.73 PGK 7.53

$4.94 PGK 21.50

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.98 PGK 12.98

$1.19 PGK 5.16

$6.40 PGK 27.86

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.27 PGK 5.53

$0.82 PGK 3.57

$1.88 PGK 8.17

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.65 PGK 28.95

$4.67 PGK 20.31

$10.97 PGK 47.74

Wine (Bottle)

$11.50 PGK 50.0

$9.29 PGK 40.41

$17.41 PGK 75.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.76 PGK 12.02

$1.64 PGK 7.13

$3.55 PGK 15.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.88 PGK 16.88

$2.94 PGK 12.80

$5.39 PGK 23.46

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.47 PGK 2.04

$0.23 PGK 1.02

$1.17 PGK 5.11

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$24.38 PGK 106

$2.44 PGK 10.60

$46.81 PGK 204

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.95 PGK 25.90

$4.76 PGK 20.72

$9.53 PGK 41.44

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.39 PGK 10.39

$1.44 PGK 6.25

$2.39 PGK 10.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.92 PGK 73.6

$12.08 PGK 52.6

$24.17 PGK 105

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 PGK 4.74

$0.94 PGK 4.10

$1.18 PGK 5.13

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

$22.9K PGK 99.4K

$21.5K PGK 93.6K

$24.2K PGK 105.2K

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

$24.2K PGK 105.2K

$21.9K PGK 95.3K

$35.3K PGK 153.8K

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

$107 PGK 465

$48.34 PGK 210

$205 PGK 894

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

$47.20 PGK 205

$23.77 PGK 103

$55.9 PGK 243

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$374 PGK 1,626

$71.2 PGK 310

$712 PGK 3,097

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$66.6 PGK 290

$16.93 PGK 73.7

$145 PGK 631

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.68 PGK 89.9

$9.73 PGK 42.32

$20.68 PGK 89.9

Cinema Ticket

$9.69 PGK 42.13

$7.26 PGK 31.60

$12.11 PGK 52.7

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

$635 PGK 2,764

$477 PGK 2,073

$715 PGK 3,110

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,048 PGK 17.6K

$1,450 PGK 6,307

$8,458 PGK 36.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.99 PGK 139

$12.16 PGK 52.9

$43.79 PGK 190

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.46 PGK 163

$29.19 PGK 127

$60.8 PGK 265

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.1 PGK 331

$47.20 PGK 205

$82.6 PGK 359

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$97.9 PGK 426

$49.82 PGK 217

$142 PGK 619

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,216 PGK 9,641

$977 PGK 4,250

$5,089 PGK 22.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$480 PGK 2,086

$240 PGK 1,043

$719 PGK 3,130

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,496 PGK 15.2K

$1,092 PGK 4,752

$12.1K PGK 52.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$855 PGK 3,721

$733 PGK 3,189

$1,344 PGK 5,847

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,142 PGK 9,319

$927 PGK 4,033

$4,341 PGK 18.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,930 PGK 17.1K

$693 PGK 3,016

$8,089 PGK 35.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$450 PGK 1,959

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: March 2, 2026

Port Moresby Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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

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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.