Cost of Living in Port Moresby - Updated Prices & Insights

65.1

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,133 (excluding rent), and $1,734 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,273 (excluding rent), and $3,177 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.33 PGK 38.1

$4.67 PGK 19.05

$14 PGK 57.2

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.25 PGK 193

$35.44 PGK 145

$142 PGK 579

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.87 PGK 23.97

$4.23 PGK 17.26

$11.74 PGK 47.93

Cappuccino

$2.23 PGK 9.1

$1.17 PGK 4.79

$3.52 PGK 14.37

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

$0.76 PGK 3.11

$0.59 PGK 2.39

$2.34 PGK 9.57

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 PGK 3.48

$0.5 PGK 2.04

$1.25 PGK 5.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.39 PGK 9.74

$1.67 PGK 6.82

$4.29 PGK 17.53

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.15 PGK 16.95

$2.44 PGK 9.97

$6.1 PGK 24.92

Milk (1 liter)

$2.01 PGK 8.2

$1.7 PGK 6.96

$2.19 PGK 8.95

White Bread (500g)

$1.54 PGK 6.27

$1.17 PGK 4.76

$3.5 PGK 14.29

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.5 PGK 6.12

$1.18 PGK 4.8

$1.65 PGK 6.72

Eggs

$3.87 PGK 15.8

$2.91 PGK 11.88

$4.61 PGK 18.82

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.33 PGK 17.69

$3.05 PGK 12.43

$11.71 PGK 47.82

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.39 PGK 26.08

$3.65 PGK 14.9

$9.73 PGK 39.74

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.43 PGK 38.5

$6.6 PGK 26.95

$14.14 PGK 57.8

Apples (1kg)

$4 PGK 16.32

$1.9 PGK 7.74

$5.92 PGK 24.18

Banana (1kg)

$2.94 PGK 12.01

$1.23 PGK 5

$4.66 PGK 19.02

Oranges (1kg)

$5.61 PGK 22.89

$1.94 PGK 7.91

$10.89 PGK 44.47

Tomato (1kg)

$5.7 PGK 23.28

$1.18 PGK 4.81

$8.61 PGK 35.17

Potato (1kg)

$3.26 PGK 13.29

$1.42 PGK 5.78

$5.9 PGK 24.09

Onion (1kg)

$2.82 PGK 11.5

$1.73 PGK 7.05

$4.94 PGK 20.15

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.97 PGK 12.14

$1.18 PGK 4.82

$6.38 PGK 26.04

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.26 PGK 5.16

$0.82 PGK 3.33

$1.87 PGK 7.62

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.73 PGK 27.48

$4.72 PGK 19.29

$11.1 PGK 45.32

Wine (Bottle)

$11.98 PGK 48.93

$9.68 PGK 39.54

$18.16 PGK 74.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.88 PGK 11.75

$1.71 PGK 6.98

$3.7 PGK 15.11

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.71 PGK 15.13

$2.81 PGK 11.47

$5.15 PGK 21.02

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.5 PGK 2.05

$0.25 PGK 1.02

$1.25 PGK 5.12

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$24.36 PGK 99.5

$2.44 PGK 9.95

$46.77 PGK 191

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.15 PGK 25.11

$4.92 PGK 20.09

$9.84 PGK 40.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.44 PGK 9.95

$1.47 PGK 5.98

$2.44 PGK 9.95

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.92 PGK 69.1

$12.08 PGK 49.34

$24.17 PGK 98.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.13 PGK 4.61

$0.98 PGK 3.99

$1.22 PGK 4.98

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

$22.6K PGK 92.3K

$21.3K PGK 86.9K

$23.9K PGK 97.6K

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

$25.1K PGK 102.3K

$22.7K PGK 92.7K

$36.6K PGK 149.4K

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

$105 PGK 427

$47.29 PGK 193

$201 PGK 821

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

$48.61 PGK 198

$24.48 PGK 99.9

$57.5 PGK 235

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$378 PGK 1,544

$72.1 PGK 294

$721 PGK 2,942

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.4 PGK 267

$16.63 PGK 67.9

$143 PGK 582

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.25 PGK 82.7

$9.53 PGK 38.91

$20.25 PGK 82.7

Cinema Ticket

$9.47 PGK 38.66

$7.1 PGK 28.99

$11.84 PGK 48.32

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

$638 PGK 2,603

$478 PGK 1,953

$717 PGK 2,929

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,036 PGK 16.5K

$1,446 PGK 5,903

$8,434 PGK 34.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.01 PGK 127

$11.79 PGK 48.14

$42.45 PGK 173

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.23 PGK 152

$29.01 PGK 118

$60.4 PGK 247

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.5 PGK 312

$47.43 PGK 194

$83 PGK 339

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98 PGK 400

$49.89 PGK 204

$143 PGK 582

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,177 PGK 8,889

$960 PGK 3,919

$4,999 PGK 20.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$472 PGK 1,925

$236 PGK 962

$707 PGK 2,887

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,410 PGK 13.9K

$1,066 PGK 4,351

$11.8K PGK 48.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$846 PGK 3,454

$725 PGK 2,961

$1,330 PGK 5,428

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,323 PGK 25.8K

$961 PGK 3,921

$16.8K PGK 68.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$52.8K PGK 215.5K

$5,193 PGK 21.2K

$144.7K PGK 590.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$431 PGK 1,758

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.33

6.5

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

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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.