Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $791 (excluding rent), and $2,015 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,913 (excluding rent), and $3,540 including rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.54SBD 37.29
$3.02SBD 24.83
$6.05SBD 49.74
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.4SBD 439
$41.56SBD 342
$83.1SBD 683
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.08SBD 99.3
$10.27SBD 84.4
$15.1SBD 124
Cappuccino
$3.04SBD 25.03
$1.77SBD 14.58
$5.31SBD 43.66
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.48SBD 12.16
$1.18SBD 9.73
$2.37SBD 19.46
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18SBD 9.74
$1.18SBD 9.74
$1.18SBD 9.74
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.46SBD 20.19
$1.6SBD 13.12
$6.87SBD 56.5
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34SBD 27.43
$2.43SBD 20.01
$6.07SBD 49.94
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk(1 liter)
$2.64SBD 21.66
$2.1SBD 17.27
$3.49SBD 28.7
White Bread(500g)
$1.44SBD 11.87
$1.21SBD 9.96
$1.82SBD 14.94
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.5SBD 12.36
$1.23SBD 10.09
$1.84SBD 15.14
Eggs
$5.38SBD 44.23
$3.49SBD 28.72
$6.29SBD 51.8
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.01SBD 49.45
$2.44SBD 20.08
$8.54SBD 70.2
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.97SBD 65.6
$4.6SBD 37.84
$9.44SBD 77.6
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.88SBD 114
$8.25SBD 67.9
$29.47SBD 242
Apples(1kg)
$8.37SBD 68.8
$1.18SBD 9.73
$11.82SBD 97.1
Banana(1kg)
$2.77SBD 22.74
$2.46SBD 20.22
$6.14SBD 50.5
Oranges(1kg)
$7.51SBD 61.7
$1.82SBD 14.99
$12.14SBD 99.8
Tomato(1kg)
$3.28SBD 27
$1.23SBD 10.09
$6.13SBD 50.4
Potato(1kg)
$2.32SBD 19.09
$1.22SBD 10.05
$3.05SBD 25.03
Onion(1kg)
$3.28SBD 26.95
$2.45SBD 20.15
$6.12SBD 50.3
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.46SBD 12.04
$1.21SBD 9.96
$2.42SBD 19.92
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12SBD 9.23
$0.61SBD 4.99
$1.21SBD 9.97
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.02SBD 33.02
$3.78SBD 31.07
$4.73SBD 38.86
Wine(Bottle)
$8.88SBD 73
$7.69SBD 63.2
$11.84SBD 97.3
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.89SBD 15.57
$1.61SBD 13.2
$2.61SBD 21.49
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04SBD 24.96
$2.19SBD 18.03
$3.65SBD 29.97
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38SBD 3.1
$0.38SBD 3.1
$0.75SBD 6.2
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.83SBD 245
$17.9SBD 147
$29.83SBD 245
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.19SBD 9.76
$1.19SBD 9.76
$1.19SBD 9.76
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.2SBD 9.88
$1.2SBD 9.88
$1.2SBD 9.88
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.04SBD 98.9
$12.04SBD 98.9
$12.04SBD 98.9
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.39SBD 11.45
$1.21SBD 9.96
$1.64SBD 13.45
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.1KSBD 165.2K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21KSBD 173K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$716SBD 5,887
$716SBD 5,887
$716SBD 5,887
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.68SBD 186
$11.78SBD 96.9
$47.13SBD 387
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$98.3SBD 808
$54.2SBD 445
$120SBD 990
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$17.83SBD 147
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.83SBD 47.95
$5.83SBD 47.95
$5.83SBD 47.95
Cinema Ticket
$4.24SBD 34.89
$2.43SBD 19.99
$4.24SBD 34.89
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$119SBD 978
$119SBD 978
$119SBD 978
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,259SBD 18.6K
$1,210SBD 9,950
$3,147SBD 25.9K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.81SBD 204
$11.86SBD 97.5
$36.3SBD 298
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$89.4SBD 735
$89.4SBD 735
$89.4SBD 735
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.2SBD 775
$35.34SBD 291
$118SBD 968
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.4SBD 727
$47.8SBD 393
$119SBD 982
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$520SBD 4,272
$416SBD 3,423
$714SBD 5,869
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$463SBD 3,805
$353SBD 2,899
$1,175SBD 9,664
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,108SBD 9,106
$588SBD 4,835
$1,764SBD 14.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$923SBD 7,588
$486SBD 3,994
$3,036SBD 25K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$84.8KSBD 697.1K
$84.8KSBD 697.1K
$84.8KSBD 697.1K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$61.9KSBD 508.6K
$61.9KSBD 508.6K
$61.9KSBD 508.6K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$368SBD 3,026
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16.33
10
20
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: December 2, 2025
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cost of Living in Solomon Islands - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Solomon Islands for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find value there?
Compared with major capitals, Solomon Islands offers relatively gentle everyday costs, especially for housing, local food, and outdoor activities. In urban centers like Honiara you may find practical apartments and a range of eateries that keep dining affordable, while imported goods and specialty items push up prices. Rural isles tend to be even more budget-friendly if you adapt shopping and transport to local routines. Cost of Living in Solomon Islands varies by island and lifestyle, so you can design a simple yet comfortable setup with careful planning around markets and ferries. Tip: Look for guesthouses with kitchen access and flexible leases to stay nimble.
What does daily life look like on the ground in the Solomon Islands, including housing, food, transport, and coworking options?
Daily life centers on flexible schedules and close access to nature. Housing search favors long-term rentals in urban zones near markets or harbors, with basic apartments to fit different budgets. Food options range from grand markets with fresh produce to simple eateries that cater to local tastes; for cooking at home, local staples are reliable. Transport most commonly involves buses, ferries, or shared taxis; plan for slower timetables and occasional delays. Solomon Islands living cost tends to be influenced by location, so pick a base that minimizes long commutes and keeps errands manageable. Tip: Test the area with a weekend reconnaissance walk and chat with locals about transit times.
What are practical budgeting strategies and neighborhood considerations to maximize quality of life in the Solomon Islands?
Quality of life in Solomon Islands centers on community, outdoor access, and a slower pace. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate essentials (housing, food, transport) from discretionary spending (e.g., weekend trips, coworking). Save by choosing local markets, using shared transport, and staying in homes with kitchen facilities. Seasonality affects weather and goods availability; plan around the rainy season and local harvest cycles to maintain steady grocery options. To find the right neighborhood, consider proximity to markets, clinics, and reliable internet if you work remotely. Tip: Start with a short-term stay in a few areas to test fit before committing long-term.
Solomon Islands vs other spots: cost of living compared