Cost of Living in Solomon Islands - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Solomon Islands
Address: SB

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,974 per month with rent on average in Solomon Islands.

A couple spends around $3,006 per month with rent on average in Solomon Islands.

A family of three spends around $4,037 per month with rent on average in Solomon Islands.

Across 2 cities in Solomon Islands, monthly living costs range from $1,756 to $2,191 – a $435 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.15 SBD 49.28

$3.07 SBD 24.60

$7.38 SBD 59.1

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$66.1 SBD 530

$44.09 SBD 353

$151 SBD 1,212

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.64 SBD 101

$10.74 SBD 86.1

$15.79 SBD 127

Cappuccino

$3.34 SBD 26.79

$1.85 SBD 14.87

$5.57 SBD 44.68

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

$1.43 SBD 11.47

$1.23 SBD 9.82

$2.45 SBD 19.64

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.13 SBD 9.04

$1.23 SBD 9.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.75 SBD 22.05

$1.83 SBD 14.68

$3.67 SBD 29.43

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.67 SBD 37.42

$2.49 SBD 19.95

$7.46 SBD 59.8

Milk (1 liter)

$2.84 SBD 22.79

$2.28 SBD 18.31

$3.81 SBD 30.52

White Bread (500g)

$1.47 SBD 11.75

$1.21 SBD 9.73

$1.81 SBD 14.55

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.53 SBD 12.30

$1.21 SBD 9.73

$1.82 SBD 14.56

Eggs

$5.88 SBD 47.11

$3.78 SBD 30.31

$6.80 SBD 54.6

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.19 SBD 57.7

$2.53 SBD 20.25

$10.10 SBD 81.0

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.19 SBD 65.7

$4.91 SBD 39.40

$15.14 SBD 121

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.89 SBD 119

$8.85 SBD 71.0

$31.61 SBD 253

Apples (1kg)

$6.84 SBD 54.8

$1.27 SBD 10.18

$12.70 SBD 102

Banana (1kg)

$2.80 SBD 22.46

$1.27 SBD 10.21

$6.37 SBD 51.1

Oranges (1kg)

$8.24 SBD 66.0

$1.89 SBD 15.15

$12.63 SBD 101

Tomato (1kg)

$3.66 SBD 29.36

$2.02 SBD 16.22

$6.32 SBD 50.7

Potato (1kg)

$2.11 SBD 16.91

$1.22 SBD 9.74

$3.03 SBD 24.32

Onion (1kg)

$3.29 SBD 26.38

$2.46 SBD 19.69

$6.14 SBD 49.21

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.64 SBD 13.18

$1.23 SBD 9.87

$2.46 SBD 19.74

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 SBD 9.55

$0.63 SBD 5.02

$1.26 SBD 10.12

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.47 SBD 35.80

$4.09 SBD 32.76

$5.11 SBD 40.96

Wine (Bottle)

$12.27 SBD 98.3

$6.13 SBD 49.17

$18.40 SBD 148

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.81 SBD 14.48

$1.53 SBD 12.27

$3.18 SBD 25.53

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.29 SBD 26.35

$2.24 SBD 17.96

$5.60 SBD 44.87

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.38 SBD 3.05

$0.77 SBD 6.18

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$31.51 SBD 253

$18.90 SBD 152

$31.51 SBD 253

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.28 SBD 10.28

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.24 SBD 9.92

$2.47 SBD 19.84

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.52 SBD 100

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.42 SBD 11.36

$1.14 SBD 9.15

$2.04 SBD 16.34

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

$19.8K SBD 158.9K

$18.7K SBD 150.2K

$20.9K SBD 167.7K

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

$28.0K SBD 224.1K

$21.5K SBD 172.4K

$34.4K SBD 275.8K

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

$533 SBD 4,270

$123 SBD 985

$738 SBD 5,912

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

$24.09 SBD 193

$12.52 SBD 100

$50.1 SBD 401

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$104 SBD 833

$57.3 SBD 459

$127 SBD 1,020

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.04 SBD 225

$18.70 SBD 150

$37.39 SBD 300

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.27 SBD 74.3

$6.32 SBD 50.7

$9.27 SBD 74.3

Cinema Ticket

$4.46 SBD 35.74

$5.10 SBD 40.89

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

$123 SBD 987

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,335 SBD 18.7K

$1,251 SBD 10.0K

$3,253 SBD 26.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.16 SBD 218

$12.31 SBD 98.7

$37.67 SBD 302

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$94.4 SBD 756

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.0 SBD 777

$36.95 SBD 296

$123 SBD 987

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$100 SBD 805

$49.93 SBD 400

$125 SBD 1,001

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$610 SBD 4,887

$446 SBD 3,576

$1,529 SBD 12.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$529 SBD 4,237

$435 SBD 3,489

$591 SBD 4,736

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,621 SBD 13.0K

$628 SBD 5,036

$5,025 SBD 40.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,375 SBD 11.0K

$500 SBD 4,008

$2,250 SBD 18.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$87.4K SBD 700.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$63.0K SBD 504.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$465 SBD 3,732

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

15.83

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $753 nationally. In Honiara, expect around $899, while Honiara – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $899.

The average net salary in Solomon Islands is $553 – below average monthly costs of $1,974. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $352 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $59.0.

Most affordable: Honiara at $1,756 per month. The capital, Honiara, sits at $1,756. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $435 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,974) is 43% above the global median of $1,379.

Dining out ($59.0) is 20% above the global median of $49.00.

Public transport ($28.00) is 18% below the global median of $34.00.

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	Gizo	-	101	$951	$2,191	$2,148	$4,070	38.3	59.47
2	Honiara	54600	80	$863	$1,756	$2,143	$4,004	218.36	76.17

Solomon Islands 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

Cost of Living in Solomon Islands - Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

In 2026, monthly costs in Solomon Islands range from $1,756 in smaller cities to $2,191 in major hubs. Where you choose to live makes a dramatic difference – the gap between cheapest and most expensive cities is huge.

Living costs across Solomon Islands vary hugely by location. In 2026, monthly expenses range from $1,756 in affordable regions to $2,191 in major cities. Capitals and tourist spots are at the top; smaller provincial towns are significantly cheaper.

Rent in Solomon Islands varies a lot – Honiara has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.

In regional cities, $2,500 is plenty. In Honiara? You'll need to plan carefully, especially around housing. Shared apartments or outer neighborhoods are the usual workarounds.

Solomon Islands is mid-range globally, with more affordable cities starting around $1,756 per month. Not the cheapest option out there, but far from the most expensive – a reasonable balance of cost and quality of life.