Cost of Living in Solomon Islands - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $812 (excluding rent), and $1,979 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,952 (excluding rent), and $3,593 including rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.45 SBD 35.33
$2.96 SBD 23.53
$5.94 SBD 47.13
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.3 SBD 431
$42.23 SBD 335
$84.5 SBD 671
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.04 SBD 95.6
$10.23 SBD 81.2
$15.04 SBD 119
Cappuccino
$3.04 SBD 24.14
$1.77 SBD 14.06
$5.30 SBD 42.11
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.53 SBD 12.15
$1.22 SBD 9.72
$2.45 SBD 19.44
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.22 SBD 9.65
$1.22 SBD 9.65
$1.22 SBD 9.65
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.45 SBD 19.47
$1.59 SBD 12.65
$6.85 SBD 54.4
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23 SBD 25.63
$2.35 SBD 18.69
$5.88 SBD 46.66
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.65 SBD 21.03
$2.11 SBD 16.76
$3.51 SBD 27.85
White Bread (500g)
$1.40 SBD 11.10
$1.17 SBD 9.31
$1.76 SBD 13.97
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.49 SBD 11.84
$1.22 SBD 9.66
$1.83 SBD 14.49
Eggs
$5.55 SBD 44.09
$3.60 SBD 28.62
$6.50 SBD 51.6
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.84 SBD 46.39
$2.37 SBD 18.84
$8.29 SBD 65.9
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.28 SBD 65.8
$4.78 SBD 37.97
$9.81 SBD 77.9
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.38 SBD 114
$8.55 SBD 67.9
$30.52 SBD 242
Apples (1kg)
$8.30 SBD 65.9
$1.17 SBD 9.31
$11.71 SBD 93.0
Banana (1kg)
$2.68 SBD 21.27
$2.38 SBD 18.91
$5.94 SBD 47.20
Oranges (1kg)
$7.46 SBD 59.2
$1.81 SBD 14.39
$12.06 SBD 95.8
Tomato (1kg)
$3.24 SBD 25.70
$1.21 SBD 9.61
$6.04 SBD 47.96
Potato (1kg)
$2.32 SBD 18.44
$1.22 SBD 9.70
$3.04 SBD 24.18
Onion (1kg)
$3.25 SBD 25.77
$2.43 SBD 19.27
$6.06 SBD 48.09
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 SBD 11.74
$1.22 SBD 9.72
$2.45 SBD 19.43
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09 SBD 8.63
$0.59 SBD 4.66
$1.18 SBD 9.33
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.97 SBD 31.50
$3.73 SBD 29.65
$4.67 SBD 37.08
Wine (Bottle)
$12.61 SBD 100
$8.82 SBD 70.0
$15.12 SBD 120
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.81 SBD 14.35
$1.53 SBD 12.17
$2.50 SBD 19.81
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02 SBD 24.01
$2.18 SBD 17.34
$3.63 SBD 28.82
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.38 SBD 3.00
$0.38 SBD 3.00
$0.75 SBD 5.99
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.98 SBD 238
$17.99 SBD 143
$29.98 SBD 238
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.19 SBD 9.43
$1.19 SBD 9.43
$1.19 SBD 9.43
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.17 SBD 9.32
$1.17 SBD 9.32
$1.17 SBD 9.32
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.83 SBD 93.9
$11.83 SBD 93.9
$11.83 SBD 93.9
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.42 SBD 11.28
$1.23 SBD 9.81
$1.67 SBD 13.24
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.4K SBD 162.3K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9K SBD 165.9K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$712 SBD 5,651
$712 SBD 5,651
$712 SBD 5,651
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.20 SBD 184
$12.05 SBD 95.7
$48.22 SBD 383
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$96.3 SBD 764
$53.1 SBD 421
$118 SBD 936
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$18.20 SBD 145
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.07 SBD 48.17
$6.07 SBD 48.17
$6.07 SBD 48.17
Cinema Ticket
$4.25 SBD 33.71
$2.43 SBD 19.31
$4.25 SBD 33.71
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$121 SBD 957
$121 SBD 957
$121 SBD 957
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,234 SBD 17.7K
$1,197 SBD 9,502
$3,111 SBD 24.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.09 SBD 191
$11.51 SBD 91.4
$35.25 SBD 280
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$89.7 SBD 713
$89.7 SBD 713
$89.7 SBD 713
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.3 SBD 749
$35.35 SBD 281
$118 SBD 936
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.5 SBD 694
$47.27 SBD 375
$118 SBD 938
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$514 SBD 4,082
$412 SBD 3,271
$706 SBD 5,608
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$478 SBD 3,795
$364 SBD 2,891
$1,214 SBD 9,638
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,141 SBD 9,060
$606 SBD 4,811
$1,818 SBD 14.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$901 SBD 7,153
$474 SBD 3,765
$2,964 SBD 23.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$87.9K SBD 697.6K
$87.9K SBD 697.6K
$87.9K SBD 697.6K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$61.3K SBD 486.5K
$61.3K SBD 486.5K
$61.3K SBD 486.5K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$429 SBD 3,408
-
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: March 2, 2026

By City in Solomon Islands
Lowest
Highest
Rank
City
Population
Living Index
Solo costs (no rent) / month
Solo costs (with rent) / month
Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month
Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month
Mobile download speed (Mbps)
Internet download speed (Mbps)
1
-
105 $724 $2,122 $1,723 $3,874
218.72
36.71
2
54600
106 $754 $2,139 $1,853 $3,369
37.73
67.25
Solomon Islands Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
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

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