Cost of Living in Port Moresby - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,129 (excluding rent), and $1,691 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,260 (excluding rent), and $3,137 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.80 PGK 41.85

$4.90 PGK 20.93

$14.70 PGK 62.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.74 PGK 204

$35.80 PGK 153

$143 PGK 612

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.14 PGK 26.24

$4.42 PGK 18.89

$12.29 PGK 52.5

Cappuccino

$2.30 PGK 9.83

$1.21 PGK 5.17

$3.64 PGK 15.52

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

$0.75 PGK 3.19

$0.57 PGK 2.45

$2.30 PGK 9.82

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.83 PGK 3.56

$0.49 PGK 2.08

$1.22 PGK 5.21

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.43 PGK 10.39

$1.70 PGK 7.27

$4.38 PGK 18.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.19 PGK 17.87

$2.46 PGK 10.51

$6.16 PGK 26.28

Milk (1 liter)

$2.03 PGK 8.66

$1.72 PGK 7.35

$2.21 PGK 9.45

White Bread (500g)

$1.53 PGK 6.55

$1.17 PGK 4.98

$3.50 PGK 14.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.50 PGK 6.39

$1.17 PGK 5.01

$1.64 PGK 7.01

Eggs

$3.74 PGK 15.98

$2.81 PGK 12.02

$4.46 PGK 19.02

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.55 PGK 19.43

$3.20 PGK 13.66

$12.30 PGK 52.5

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.47 PGK 27.64

$3.70 PGK 15.79

$9.86 PGK 42.11

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.83 PGK 41.98

$6.88 PGK 29.38

$14.75 PGK 63.0

Apples (1kg)

$4.16 PGK 17.76

$1.97 PGK 8.42

$6.16 PGK 26.32

Banana (1kg)

$2.95 PGK 12.58

$1.23 PGK 5.24

$4.66 PGK 19.91

Oranges (1kg)

$5.68 PGK 24.24

$1.96 PGK 8.37

$11.03 PGK 47.09

Tomato (1kg)

$5.58 PGK 23.82

$1.15 PGK 4.93

$8.43 PGK 35.98

Potato (1kg)

$3.26 PGK 13.94

$1.42 PGK 6.06

$5.92 PGK 25.26

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 PGK 11.89

$1.71 PGK 7.29

$4.88 PGK 20.82

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.00 PGK 12.80

$1.19 PGK 5.09

$6.43 PGK 27.47

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.34 PGK 5.71

$0.86 PGK 3.69

$1.98 PGK 8.44

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.73 PGK 28.72

$4.72 PGK 20.16

$11.09 PGK 47.37

Wine (Bottle)

$11.48 PGK 49.01

$9.28 PGK 39.63

$17.39 PGK 74.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.91 PGK 12.42

$1.73 PGK 7.37

$3.74 PGK 15.98

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 PGK 16.70

$2.96 PGK 12.66

$5.43 PGK 23.20

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.46 PGK 1.97

$0.23 PGK 0.99

$1.16 PGK 4.93

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.56 PGK 101

$2.36 PGK 10.06

$45.23 PGK 193

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.89 PGK 25.15

$4.71 PGK 20.12

$9.43 PGK 40.25

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.40 PGK 10.25

$1.44 PGK 6.17

$2.40 PGK 10.25

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.53 PGK 70.6

$11.81 PGK 50.4

$23.62 PGK 101

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.13 PGK 4.83

$0.98 PGK 4.18

$1.22 PGK 5.22

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

$22.7K PGK 97.0K

$21.4K PGK 91.4K

$24.0K PGK 102.7K

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

$24.4K PGK 104.0K

$22.1K PGK 94.2K

$35.6K PGK 152.0K

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

$107 PGK 455

$48.26 PGK 206

$205 PGK 876

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

$48.51 PGK 207

$24.43 PGK 104

$57.4 PGK 245

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$383 PGK 1,637

$73.0 PGK 312

$730 PGK 3,118

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.5 PGK 280

$16.65 PGK 71.1

$143 PGK 609

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.09 PGK 85.8

$9.45 PGK 40.37

$20.09 PGK 85.8

Cinema Ticket

$9.34 PGK 39.89

$7.01 PGK 29.92

$11.68 PGK 49.87

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

$632 PGK 2,699

$474 PGK 2,024

$711 PGK 3,036

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,024 PGK 17.2K

$1,441 PGK 6,154

$8,408 PGK 35.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.88 PGK 136

$12.12 PGK 51.8

$43.63 PGK 186

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.47 PGK 160

$29.20 PGK 125

$60.8 PGK 260

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.6 PGK 331

$48.13 PGK 206

$84.2 PGK 360

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$97.7 PGK 417

$49.72 PGK 212

$142 PGK 607

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,192 PGK 9,360

$966 PGK 4,126

$5,033 PGK 21.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$473 PGK 2,018

$236 PGK 1,009

$709 PGK 3,027

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,512 PGK 15.0K

$1,098 PGK 4,687

$12.2K PGK 52.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$847 PGK 3,619

$726 PGK 3,102

$1,332 PGK 5,686

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,147 PGK 9,167

$929 PGK 3,967

$4,350 PGK 18.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,002 PGK 17.1K

$706 PGK 3,015

$8,238 PGK 35.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$460 PGK 1,963

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 18, 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.