You’ll need roughly $560–$600 monthly for basic living in Papua New Guinea, though costs vary a lot by city and lifestyle. Rent ranges from about $238 for simple city units to $1,000+ for one-bed central apartments; utilities are low (~$40–$100), but internet is expensive (~$214). Food and local transport are affordable; international schools, private healthcare and imported goods drive costs up. Your budget will need tight planning and likely higher income to cover expat needs if you keep exploring details.
Cost of Living Overview and Key Numbers
While Papua New Guinea’s overall cost of living is low—about $562 monthly, roughly half the global average—you’ll find significant budget pressure from modest local incomes (average after-tax salary ~$213) and city rents (one-bedroom center ~$238; three-bedroom ~$493).
For a clear cost of living overview, use those anchors to plan monthly spending: utilities (~$40.5) and internet (~$25.7) are modest line items, together under $70.
Food choices keep daily costs manageable — expect a lunch menu around $4.01 and a restaurant dinner for two near $22.4 — so eating out won’t break a tight budget.
Given the income-to-expense gap, you’ll need to prioritize essentials and seek income sources above the national average if you want discretionary spending.
Track your fixed costs (rent, utilities, internet) first, then allocate for groceries and dining.
This data-driven snapshot shows living cheaply is possible, but financial breathing room depends on higher earnings or subsidized housing options.
Housing and Rental Prices by City
When you compare city center rents, expect Port Moresby one-bedrooms around $1,000/month and two-bedrooms up to $1,500, among the highest in the country.
Outside urban cores you’ll find one-bedrooms near $534.50, and suburban or rural options are generally much cheaper.
If you’re an expat, plan to budget for furnished units due to limited quality housing availability.
City Center Rents
Although living costs vary across Papua New Guinea, city-center rents give a clear picture of urban housing prices: a one-bedroom costs about $238/month and a three-bedroom runs around $493, with cheaper one-bedrooms outside the center at roughly $163/month.
You’ll find city center rents are lower than many countries — roughly 9.7% cheaper than the United States — so urban accommodation can be cost-effective if you need proximity to jobs and services.
Expect higher demand and fewer listings for larger units, which pushes three-bedroom averages up. If budget is primary, target smaller units or negotiate leases; if space matters, anticipate paying a premium.
Use local listings to compare neighborhoods, confirm included utilities, and budget for occasional maintenance or management fees.
Suburban and Rural
Because housing varies widely by location, you should expect steep price differences between cities and the countryside: Port Moresby commands the highest rents (around $1,000/month for a one‑bedroom and up to $1,500 for two‑bedrooms in urban areas), while suburban and rural one‑bedroom options can drop into the $238–$493 range.
You’ll find suburban rentals more affordable and often closer to basic services, but availability of quality units varies. In rural areas costs fall further, yet clean, secure, furnished options are limited, pushing many expats toward urban centers.
Budget planning should assume higher living costs in cities and factor transport from suburban neighborhoods. If you prioritize lower rent, target suburban locations with reliable infrastructure rather than remote rural settlements.
Monthly Utilities and Internet Costs
Curious how much you’ll pay to stay powered and connected in Papua New Guinea? Monthly utilities average about $40.5 per person (electricity, water, gas).
If you rent an 85 m² apartment expect roughly $100 monthly utilities, about 51.9% cheaper than in the U.S. Those figures can swing with government policy and market shifts, so build flexibility into your budget.
For connectivity, a mobile phone contract with calls and 10GB+ data runs about $49.4 — roughly 13.6% cheaper than U.S. equivalents.
However, fixed internet is pricey: plans offering 60 Mbps+ unlimited data average $213.8, about 199.2% more expensive than similar U.S. services. That large gap means you might favor mobile data or negotiate bundled packages if you need household broadband.
In short, monthly utilities are generally affordable, but internet costs can dominate your communications budget; factor both into relocation and monthly expense planning.
Food, Groceries and Dining Out
You’ll find that basic groceries vary: a liter of milk is about $2 and a dozen eggs roughly $3.9, while eating out can be economical — cheap restaurants average $8.8, fast food about $6.1, and a three-course meal for two costs around $48.6.
Expect higher prices in urban centers like Port Moresby compared with rural areas, which affects both availability and your overall food budget.
Typical Grocery Prices
On average, you’ll find lunch for about $4.01 and a cheap restaurant meal around $8.80, while dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant runs roughly $22.40. For everyday shopping, you’ll see reasonable prices that keep costs in Papua New manageable if you cook.
| Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 L) | $1.21 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $1.74 |
A loaf of fresh bread runs about $1.60 and rice is roughly $1.50 per kg. Fast food meals average $5.17, offering a low-cost alternative to restaurants. These grocery figures show staples are affordable; they let you control food spending by choosing home cooking over frequent dining out.
Eating Out Costs
When you eat out in Papua New Guinea, meals are noticeably cheaper than in the U.S.: a cheap restaurant meal runs about $8.80 (56% less than the U.S.), a three-course dinner for two averages $48.60 (35.2% less), and a fast-food combo is around $6.10 (44.8% less).
You’ll find eating out costs attractive for regular dining and casual meals. Consider these typical items:
- Cheap restaurant meal: $8.80 — cost-effective for everyday lunches.
- Mid-range three-course for two: $48.60 — reasonable for date nights or business meals.
- Fast-food combo: $6.10 — convenient and cheaper than U.S. equivalents.
- Local beer (0.5L): $2.90 — inexpensive beverage option.
Use these figures to plan your monthly dining budget accurately.
Local Food Availability
Shifting from dining-out prices to what you can buy and find locally, Papua New Guinea offers a mix of affordable staples and varied restaurant options that shape monthly food budgets. You’ll find local food availability combines budget-friendly groceries and cheaper local restaurants vs. international venues. Use the table below for quick reference.
| Item | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Lunch menu | $4.01 |
| Dinner for two | $22.40 |
| Fast food meal | $5.17 |
| Cheap restaurant meal | $8.80 |
| Milk (1L) / Eggs (12) | $1.21 / $1.74 |
You can cut costs by choosing local dining and staples; groceries like milk and eggs are moderate, while local eateries often undercut international cuisine, lowering your monthly food expenditure.
Transportation and Fuel Expenses
Although local fares are cheap, your overall transport costs in Papua New Guinea will depend on how you travel and where you live: a one-way local ticket is about $0.46 (vs. $2.50 in the U.S.), a monthly pass runs roughly $18.10 (56.3% less than the U.S. $65 average), and an 8 km taxi ride costs around $7.26, while gasoline is about $1.06 per liter—higher than the U.S. average of $0.90—so city-to-city variations in public transport availability can materially change your monthly budget.
- Local buses: At $0.46 per trip, commuting by bus is the cheapest option if routes exist where you live.
- Monthly pass: $18.10 will cover frequent users in well-served cities; factor service frequency.
- Taxis: $7.26 for 8 km trips suits short, urgent trips but adds up for daily use.
- Fuel: $1.06/L makes owning a car pricier than in the U.S.; calculate estimated monthly liters by distance.
Use this transportation data to model realistic monthly expenses for your location and habits.
Salaries, Income and Purchasing Power
Because wages in Papua New Guinea are low relative to costs, the average after-tax monthly salary of about $213 only covers roughly 0.4 months of typical expenses, leaving most people with a large shortfall to manage. You’ll find that salaries trail regional peers, so purchasing power is constrained even though local prices run about 2.03 times less than the world average. GDP per capita (~$3,076) and a human freedom index of 7.17 give context: modest economic output and fair individual freedoms, but limited income. That gap forces you to prioritize essentials, seek additional income, or rely on informal support networks.
| Metric | Value | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Average salary (monthly) | $213 | Covers ~0.4 months |
| GDP per capita | $3,076 | Low economic output |
| Cost of living vs world | 0.49x | Cheaper prices |
Plan budgets tightly, compare prices, and target higher-paying roles to improve real purchasing power.
Education, Childcare and Healthcare Costs
If you’re moving to Papua New Guinea, plan for education and health costs to take a big slice of your budget: international school tuition runs roughly $1,500–$3,000 per month, private childcare averages $300–$600, and private medical consultations start around $50, with emergency visits often exceeding $200.
You’ll want to weigh options: public schools are cheaper but vary in quality; many expat families choose international schools for curriculum continuity.
- International education: $1,500–$3,000/month depending on grade and school.
- Childcare: private nursery/daycare typically $300–$600/month; availability can be limited in regional centers.
- Healthcare: private consultations from ~$50; expect higher costs for specialists and diagnostics.
- Vaccinations & emergencies: routine child immunizations $100–$300; ER visits often exceed $200—health insurance is strongly recommended.
Budget proactively for education, childcare and healthcare costs to avoid surprises; compare schools, secure insurance, and confirm provider pricing before you commit.
Currency, Money Transfers and Budgeting Tips
Alongside schooling and health costs, you’ll want a clear grasp of currency, money transfers and everyday budgeting to keep those expenses manageable. The exchange rate is about 1 USD = 4.19024 PGK, so convert prices and salaries into your home currency when planning.
Average after-tax monthly wages sit near $213, so align spending to that baseline if you rely on local income. Budget line items: utilities roughly $40.50/month and local transport one-way fares near $0.46 — both predictable costs you can stack into weekly plans.
Food examples (lunch ≈ $4.01) help set realistic meal budgets and identify savings by cooking. For transfers, compare fees and rates from banks, remittance services, and fintech apps; small percentage differences compound when you send funds regularly.
Track expenses, set a weekly cap, and prioritize essentials to manage the Cost of Living here. Regularly update your budget as exchange rates and local prices change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Average Price of a House in Papua New Guinea?
You’ll typically pay widely varying amounts; average house prices often range from modest rural values under $50,000 to urban Port Moresby properties exceeding $200,000, with premium homes and locations pushing prices much higher.
Is Papua New Guinea Cheap to Live In?
Like finding a hidden market gem, you’ll find PNG relatively cheap overall: average living costs around $562 monthly, rent and transport low, but groceries and essentials can be pricey, so budget carefully for staples and city rents.
Can Foreigners Live in Papua New Guinea?
Yes — you can live in Papua New Guinea if you obtain a valid visa (work, residence), usually with local sponsorship. You’ll find expat communities in cities, higher costs, variable healthcare, and notable cultural adjustments to navigate.
What Is a Good Salary in PNG?
Think of a sturdy canoe: a good salary in PNG is about $1,500–$2,000 USD monthly. You’ll cover comfortable housing, food, transport; expatriates often earn $3,000–$5,000, while average locals make ~$213.
Conclusion
Living in Papua New Guinea can be affordable or pricey depending on where you live. For example, Port Moresby rents are about 50–70% higher than regional cities — a one-bedroom there can run USD 800–1,200/month. You’ll save on local food and public transport, but expect higher costs for imported goods, international schools and private healthcare. Budget for utilities and flights, compare neighborhoods, and plan a buffer of 20–30% for unexpected expenses.
