Cost of Living in Solomon Islands - Updated Prices & Insights

55.89
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $803 (excluding rent), and $2,022 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,936 (excluding rent), and $3,507 including rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.55 SBD 37.99
$3.03 SBD 25.3
$6.08 SBD 50.7
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.9 SBD 442
$41.17 SBD 343
$82.3 SBD 687
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.15 SBD 101
$10.33 SBD 86.1
$15.18 SBD 127
Cappuccino
$3.01 SBD 25.15
$1.76 SBD 14.65
$5.26 SBD 43.86
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47 SBD 12.23
$1.17 SBD 9.79
$2.35 SBD 19.57
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21 SBD 10.11
$1.21 SBD 10.11
$1.21 SBD 10.11
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.47 SBD 20.6
$1.61 SBD 13.39
$6.9 SBD 57.6
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21 SBD 26.75
$2.34 SBD 19.52
$5.84 SBD 48.71
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.73 SBD 22.8
$2.18 SBD 18.17
$3.62 SBD 30.2
White Bread (500g)
$1.46 SBD 12.14
$1.22 SBD 10.19
$1.83 SBD 15.28
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.44 SBD 12.05
$1.18 SBD 9.84
$1.77 SBD 14.75
Eggs
$5.55 SBD 46.31
$3.6 SBD 30.06
$6.5 SBD 54.2
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.05 SBD 50.5
$2.46 SBD 20.49
$8.59 SBD 71.6
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.91 SBD 66
$4.57 SBD 38.1
$9.37 SBD 78.2
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.05 SBD 117
$8.35 SBD 69.7
$29.82 SBD 249
Apples (1kg)
$8.51 SBD 70.9
$1.2 SBD 10.03
$12 SBD 100
Banana (1kg)
$2.78 SBD 23.16
$2.47 SBD 20.59
$6.16 SBD 51.4
Oranges (1kg)
$7.26 SBD 60.6
$1.76 SBD 14.71
$11.74 SBD 97.9
Tomato (1kg)
$3.27 SBD 27.31
$1.22 SBD 10.21
$6.11 SBD 51
Potato (1kg)
$2.24 SBD 18.69
$1.18 SBD 9.84
$2.94 SBD 24.52
Onion (1kg)
$3.22 SBD 26.86
$2.41 SBD 20.08
$6.01 SBD 50.1
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 SBD 12.34
$1.22 SBD 10.21
$2.45 SBD 20.42
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09 SBD 9.08
$0.59 SBD 4.91
$1.18 SBD 9.81
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.1 SBD 34.22
$3.86 SBD 32.2
$4.83 SBD 40.28
Wine (Bottle)
$9.06 SBD 75.6
$7.86 SBD 65.6
$12.09 SBD 101
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88 SBD 15.7
$1.6 SBD 13.31
$2.6 SBD 21.68
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96 SBD 24.72
$2.14 SBD 17.86
$3.56 SBD 29.68
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.37 SBD 3.11
$0.37 SBD 3.11
$0.75 SBD 6.22
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.87 SBD 249
$17.92 SBD 149
$29.87 SBD 249
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.17 SBD 9.8
$1.17 SBD 9.8
$1.17 SBD 9.8
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.18 SBD 9.83
$1.18 SBD 9.83
$1.18 SBD 9.83
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.02 SBD 100
$12.02 SBD 100
$12.02 SBD 100
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.4 SBD 11.71
$1.22 SBD 10.19
$1.65 SBD 13.75
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.3K SBD 169K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1K SBD 176.2K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$713 SBD 5,950
$713 SBD 5,950
$713 SBD 5,950
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.39 SBD 195
$12.15 SBD 101
$48.6 SBD 405
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$97 SBD 809
$53.5 SBD 446
$119 SBD 991
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$17.85 SBD 149
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.04 SBD 50.4
$6.04 SBD 50.4
$6.04 SBD 50.4
Cinema Ticket
$4.22 SBD 35.21
$2.42 SBD 20.17
$4.22 SBD 35.21
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$120 SBD 997
$120 SBD 997
$120 SBD 997
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,206 SBD 18.4K
$1,182 SBD 9,859
$3,073 SBD 25.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.27 SBD 202
$11.6 SBD 96.8
$35.52 SBD 296
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$90.7 SBD 756
$90.7 SBD 756
$90.7 SBD 756
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.6 SBD 789
$35.48 SBD 296
$118 SBD 986
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.8 SBD 732
$47.46 SBD 396
$119 SBD 990
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$516 SBD 4,306
$414 SBD 3,451
$709 SBD 5,916
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$464 SBD 3,871
$354 SBD 2,949
$1,179 SBD 9,832
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,132 SBD 9,445
$601 SBD 5,015
$1,804 SBD 15K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$927 SBD 7,733
$488 SBD 4,070
$3,050 SBD 25.4K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$82.8K SBD 691K
$82.8K SBD 691K
$82.8K SBD 691K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$58.9K SBD 491.5K
$58.9K SBD 491.5K
$58.9K SBD 491.5K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$360 SBD 3,000
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
16.33
10
20
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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.
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