Cost of Living in Solomon Islands - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $818 (excluding rent), and $1,989 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,907 (excluding rent), and $3,550 including rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.60 SBD 36.80
$3.06 SBD 24.50
$6.14 SBD 49.09
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.2 SBD 433
$42.13 SBD 337
$84.3 SBD 674
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.76 SBD 94.1
$10.00 SBD 80.0
$14.70 SBD 118
Cappuccino
$3.07 SBD 24.54
$1.79 SBD 14.30
$5.35 SBD 42.81
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52 SBD 12.16
$1.22 SBD 9.73
$2.43 SBD 19.45
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.23 SBD 9.85
$1.23 SBD 9.85
$1.23 SBD 9.85
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.35 SBD 18.83
$1.53 SBD 12.24
$6.58 SBD 52.6
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30 SBD 26.40
$2.41 SBD 19.26
$6.01 SBD 48.07
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.73 SBD 21.87
$2.18 SBD 17.43
$3.62 SBD 28.97
White Bread (500g)
$1.41 SBD 11.25
$1.18 SBD 9.44
$1.77 SBD 14.16
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.48 SBD 11.85
$1.21 SBD 9.68
$1.81 SBD 14.51
Eggs
$5.68 SBD 45.40
$3.68 SBD 29.48
$6.64 SBD 53.1
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.93 SBD 47.42
$2.41 SBD 19.26
$8.42 SBD 67.3
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.15 SBD 65.2
$4.71 SBD 37.65
$9.65 SBD 77.2
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.07 SBD 113
$8.37 SBD 66.9
$29.87 SBD 239
Apples (1kg)
$8.65 SBD 69.2
$1.22 SBD 9.78
$12.21 SBD 97.7
Banana (1kg)
$2.74 SBD 21.91
$2.43 SBD 19.48
$6.08 SBD 48.61
Oranges (1kg)
$7.59 SBD 60.7
$1.84 SBD 14.75
$12.27 SBD 98.2
Tomato (1kg)
$3.18 SBD 25.41
$1.19 SBD 9.50
$5.93 SBD 47.41
Potato (1kg)
$2.29 SBD 18.36
$1.21 SBD 9.66
$3.01 SBD 24.07
Onion (1kg)
$3.12 SBD 24.97
$2.33 SBD 18.67
$5.82 SBD 46.60
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.44 SBD 11.51
$1.19 SBD 9.52
$2.38 SBD 19.05
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.14 SBD 9.14
$0.62 SBD 4.94
$1.23 SBD 9.88
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.12 SBD 32.94
$3.87 SBD 31.00
$4.85 SBD 38.77
Wine (Bottle)
$12.41 SBD 99.3
$8.69 SBD 69.5
$14.89 SBD 119
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88 SBD 15.05
$1.60 SBD 12.76
$2.60 SBD 20.78
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.06 SBD 24.51
$2.21 SBD 17.71
$3.68 SBD 29.43
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.37 SBD 3.00
$0.37 SBD 3.00
$0.75 SBD 5.99
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.86 SBD 239
$17.91 SBD 143
$29.86 SBD 239
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.19 SBD 9.51
$1.19 SBD 9.51
$1.19 SBD 9.51
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.17 SBD 9.35
$1.17 SBD 9.35
$1.17 SBD 9.35
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.16 SBD 97.3
$12.16 SBD 97.3
$12.16 SBD 97.3
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.40 SBD 11.21
$1.22 SBD 9.75
$1.64 SBD 13.16
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.8K SBD 158.1K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0K SBD 167.8K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$715 SBD 5,721
$715 SBD 5,721
$715 SBD 5,721
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.26 SBD 186
$12.09 SBD 96.7
$48.34 SBD 387
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$98.9 SBD 791
$54.5 SBD 436
$121 SBD 969
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$18.12 SBD 145
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.90 SBD 47.21
$5.90 SBD 47.21
$5.90 SBD 47.21
Cinema Ticket
$4.13 SBD 33.02
$2.36 SBD 18.91
$4.13 SBD 33.02
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$118 SBD 941
$118 SBD 941
$118 SBD 941
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,195 SBD 17.6K
$1,176 SBD 9,407
$3,057 SBD 24.5K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.22 SBD 194
$11.58 SBD 92.6
$35.44 SBD 283
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$88.4 SBD 708
$88.4 SBD 708
$88.4 SBD 708
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.1 SBD 769
$36.03 SBD 288
$120 SBD 961
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.4 SBD 715
$48.33 SBD 387
$121 SBD 967
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$531 SBD 4,245
$425 SBD 3,402
$729 SBD 5,831
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$475 SBD 3,800
$362 SBD 2,895
$1,206 SBD 9,650
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,133 SBD 9,065
$602 SBD 4,813
$1,805 SBD 14.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$919 SBD 7,351
$484 SBD 3,869
$3,022 SBD 24.2K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$85.3K SBD 682.1K
$85.3K SBD 682.1K
$85.3K SBD 682.1K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$63.1K SBD 504.7K
$63.1K SBD 504.7K
$63.1K SBD 504.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$455 SBD 3,644
-
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: April 12, 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 $910 $2,130 $1,871 $3,771
38.3
59.47
2
54600
106 $765 $2,121 $1,819 $3,373
218.36
76.17
Solomon Islands Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 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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