Cost of Living in Port Moresby - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,124 (excluding rent), and $1,723 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,223 (excluding rent), and $3,138 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.50 PGK 41.12

$4.75 PGK 20.56

$14.24 PGK 61.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.08 PGK 208

$36.06 PGK 156

$144 PGK 625

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.05 PGK 26.20

$4.36 PGK 18.86

$12.10 PGK 52.4

Cappuccino

$2.24 PGK 9.68

$1.18 PGK 5.09

$3.53 PGK 15.28

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

$0.75 PGK 3.23

$0.57 PGK 2.48

$2.29 PGK 9.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.83 PGK 3.61

$0.49 PGK 2.12

$1.22 PGK 5.29

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.45 PGK 10.62

$1.72 PGK 7.44

$4.42 PGK 19.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.99 PGK 17.27

$2.35 PGK 10.16

$5.87 PGK 25.40

Milk (1 liter)

$1.97 PGK 8.51

$1.67 PGK 7.22

$2.14 PGK 9.28

White Bread (500g)

$1.56 PGK 6.75

$1.18 PGK 5.13

$3.55 PGK 15.38

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.57 PGK 6.82

$1.24 PGK 5.35

$1.73 PGK 7.49

Eggs

$3.90 PGK 16.90

$2.93 PGK 12.71

$4.65 PGK 20.12

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.31 PGK 18.67

$3.03 PGK 13.12

$11.65 PGK 50.5

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.11 PGK 26.47

$3.49 PGK 15.13

$9.32 PGK 40.34

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.39 PGK 40.67

$6.57 PGK 28.47

$14.09 PGK 61.0

Apples (1kg)

$3.93 PGK 17.02

$1.86 PGK 8.07

$5.82 PGK 25.22

Banana (1kg)

$2.96 PGK 12.82

$1.23 PGK 5.34

$4.69 PGK 20.30

Oranges (1kg)

$5.42 PGK 23.49

$1.87 PGK 8.11

$10.54 PGK 45.63

Tomato (1kg)

$5.43 PGK 23.51

$1.12 PGK 4.86

$8.20 PGK 35.51

Potato (1kg)

$3.29 PGK 14.23

$1.43 PGK 6.19

$5.96 PGK 25.79

Onion (1kg)

$2.82 PGK 12.20

$1.73 PGK 7.48

$4.93 PGK 21.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.00 PGK 12.98

$1.19 PGK 5.16

$6.43 PGK 27.85

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.32 PGK 5.73

$0.86 PGK 3.70

$1.96 PGK 8.47

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.98 PGK 30.20

$4.90 PGK 21.20

$11.50 PGK 49.81

Wine (Bottle)

$11.66 PGK 50.5

$9.34 PGK 40.43

$18.67 PGK 80.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.79 PGK 12.09

$1.66 PGK 7.18

$3.59 PGK 15.56

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.85 PGK 16.65

$2.92 PGK 12.62

$5.34 PGK 23.14

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.50 PGK 2.17

$0.25 PGK 1.08

$1.25 PGK 5.42

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$24.36 PGK 105

$2.44 PGK 10.55

$46.76 PGK 202

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.16 PGK 26.67

$4.93 PGK 21.34

$9.86 PGK 42.67

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.51 PGK 10.86

$1.51 PGK 6.54

$2.51 PGK 10.86

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.59 PGK 71.8

$11.85 PGK 51.3

$23.70 PGK 103

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.12 PGK 4.86

$0.97 PGK 4.20

$1.21 PGK 5.25

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

$22.5K PGK 97.3K

$21.2K PGK 91.6K

$23.8K PGK 102.9K

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

$24.9K PGK 108.0K

$22.6K PGK 97.8K

$36.4K PGK 157.8K

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

$106 PGK 458

$47.91 PGK 207

$204 PGK 882

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

$47.05 PGK 204

$23.70 PGK 103

$55.7 PGK 241

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$381 PGK 1,651

$72.6 PGK 314

$726 PGK 3,144

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$66.9 PGK 290

$17.01 PGK 73.7

$146 PGK 631

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.33 PGK 88.0

$9.57 PGK 41.43

$20.33 PGK 88.0

Cinema Ticket

$9.80 PGK 42.43

$7.35 PGK 31.82

$12.25 PGK 53.0

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

$634 PGK 2,744

$475 PGK 2,058

$713 PGK 3,087

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,089 PGK 17.7K

$1,465 PGK 6,342

$8,544 PGK 37.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.03 PGK 134

$11.80 PGK 51.1

$42.48 PGK 184

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.03 PGK 160

$28.85 PGK 125

$60.1 PGK 260

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.9 PGK 337

$48.31 PGK 209

$84.6 PGK 366

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 PGK 436

$51.2 PGK 222

$146 PGK 634

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,162 PGK 9,361

$953 PGK 4,126

$4,963 PGK 21.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$478 PGK 2,070

$239 PGK 1,035

$717 PGK 3,105

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,449 PGK 14.9K

$1,078 PGK 4,667

$12.0K PGK 51.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$852 PGK 3,689

$730 PGK 3,162

$1,339 PGK 5,796

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,149 PGK 9,306

$930 PGK 4,028

$4,355 PGK 18.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,010 PGK 17.4K

$708 PGK 3,064

$8,255 PGK 35.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$453 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: April 12, 2026

Port Moresby Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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.