Cost of Living in Tonga - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Tonga
Address: TO

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $806 (excluding rent), and $1,061 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,962 (excluding rent), and $2,719 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.48 TOP 17.73

$4.24 TOP 8.86

$10.60 TOP 22.15

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$61.2 TOP 128

$73.4 TOP 153

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.33 TOP 21.59

Cappuccino

$2.89 TOP 6.05

$2.07 TOP 4.32

$7.44 TOP 15.54

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

$2.92 TOP 6.10

$1.71 TOP 3.57

$4.70 TOP 9.82

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.41 TOP 5.04

$1.23 TOP 2.56

$4.88 TOP 10.20

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.36 TOP 7.03

$2.52 TOP 5.27

$4.20 TOP 8.79

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.93 TOP 10.30

$2.88 TOP 6.02

$6.16 TOP 12.88

Milk (1 liter)

$1.60 TOP 3.35

$1.49 TOP 3.11

$1.70 TOP 3.56

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 TOP 2.14

$0.82 TOP 1.71

$1.14 TOP 2.38

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.04 TOP 4.26

$1.43 TOP 3.00

$2.06 TOP 4.30

Eggs

$5.00 TOP 10.45

$4.57 TOP 9.54

$5.22 TOP 10.92

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.74 TOP 18.26

$3.63 TOP 7.59

$16.12 TOP 33.70

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.02 TOP 12.57

$2.13 TOP 4.45

$12.75 TOP 26.64

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.83 TOP 16.36

$7.20 TOP 15.04

$8.47 TOP 17.71

Apples (1kg)

$2.82 TOP 5.90

$2.12 TOP 4.43

$4.23 TOP 8.84

Banana (1kg)

$2.83 TOP 5.92

$2.13 TOP 4.45

$4.24 TOP 8.87

Oranges (1kg)

$2.99 TOP 6.24

$2.14 TOP 4.46

$4.26 TOP 8.91

Tomato (1kg)

$3.79 TOP 7.92

$2.11 TOP 4.40

$5.04 TOP 10.54

Potato (1kg)

$3.25 TOP 6.79

$2.54 TOP 5.31

$4.24 TOP 8.86

Onion (1kg)

$2.58 TOP 5.40

$1.23 TOP 2.57

$4.08 TOP 8.52

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 TOP 4.72

$2.12 TOP 4.42

$2.53 TOP 5.29

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.40 TOP 2.93

$0.84 TOP 1.76

$2.53 TOP 5.28

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.27 TOP 21.47

$10.06 TOP 21.03

$10.48 TOP 21.90

Wine (Bottle)

$17.32 TOP 36.20

$16.90 TOP 35.31

$17.74 TOP 37.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.24 TOP 6.78

$2.54 TOP 5.31

$4.23 TOP 8.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.29 TOP 6.87

$2.47 TOP 5.16

$4.11 TOP 8.59

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.06 TOP 4.31

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$42.04 TOP 87.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.03 TOP 4.23

$4.04 TOP 8.45

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.04 TOP 85.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 TOP 3.06

$1.26 TOP 2.64

$1.68 TOP 3.50

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

$5,847 TOP 12.2K

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

$8,399 TOP 17.6K

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

$185 TOP 387

$82.3 TOP 172

$288 TOP 602

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

$21.73 TOP 45.42

$14.27 TOP 29.82

$28.52 TOP 59.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$124 TOP 258

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.56 TOP 66.0

$21.04 TOP 43.98

$42.08 TOP 87.9

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.89 TOP 85.5

Cinema Ticket

$41.40 TOP 86.5

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

$156 TOP 325

$107 TOP 223

$205 TOP 428

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$246 TOP 514

$82.0 TOP 171

$410 TOP 857

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$14.63 TOP 30.57

$4.18 TOP 8.73

$25.07 TOP 52.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.45 TOP 36.47

$10.26 TOP 21.45

$24.64 TOP 51.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$21.06 TOP 44.01

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$29.52 TOP 61.7

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$634 TOP 1,325

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$49.54 TOP 104

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$824 TOP 1,722

$412 TOP 861

$1,236 TOP 2,583

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$581 TOP 1,214

$276 TOP 576

$838 TOP 1,752

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$413 TOP 863

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$249 TOP 520

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$677 TOP 1,416

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

Last update: January 18, 2026

By City in Tonga

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	Neiafu	4000						40.93	119.28
2	Nuku'alofa	24500	51	$876	$1,012	$2,013	$2,705	208.26	66.15
3	Vava'u	-						38.49	41.49

Tonga Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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 Tonga - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Tonga is moderate by Pacific island standards. You'll find affordable options if you lean into local solutions – guesthouses, simple apartments, and family-run stays can feel budget-friendly, while imported goods and resort-style experiences push costs higher. The vibe favors a relaxed, outdoor-oriented lifestyle with community and safety as daily perks. Seasonal tourism can affect availability more than price, so planning ahead matters. Tip: start with a longer stay in one area to build familiarity and negotiate favorable terms.

Daily life blends fresh local produce, simple rentals, and pragmatic transport. When you search housing, a local contact helps you find straightforward rentals or homestays in Tongatapu, with more seclusion on outer islands. For food, frequent local markets and home cooking stretch budgets; Western groceries exist but can be pricier and farther to reach. Transport options include short rides and ferries between islands, with occasional buses in towns. Co-working spaces and wifi-enabled cafes are growing, though connectivity can vary by area. Tonga living cost awareness helps you plan groceries and errands efficiently. Tip: build a regular errands route to save time and energy.

Quality of life here hinges on a laid-back pace, outdoor activities, and safety. Use a simple budgeting framework: separate essentials (housing, utilities, groceries) from discretionary spends (eating out, activities) and review weekly. For neighborhood fit, Tongatapu city centers offer services and coworking, while outer islands deliver tranquility and strong community ties. Seasonality influences travel plans, outdoor options, and some availability of services, so align your schedule with calmer periods if possible. Ways to save: buy locally, cook at home, barter or trade favors, and use shared resources. Tip: keep a small stash of essentials for quick weekend getaways.