Cost of living in Papua New Guinea compared to China
Currency:
Food | + 120% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Papua New Guinea is 120% more expensive than in China | ||||
Papua New Guinea | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 47 Kina (83元) | 42元 | + 97% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 32 Kina (56元) | 39元 | + 44% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 19 Kina (33元) | 14元 | + 131% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16 Kina (27元) | 14元 | + 95% | |
12 eggs, large | 34 Kina (59元) | 16元 | + 279% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 21 Kina (37元) | 10元 | + 255% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 42 Kina (73元) | 50元 | + 46% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 20 Kina (35元) | 16元 | + 115% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 21 Kina (37元) | 6元 | + 466% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 19 Kina (33元) | 6元 | + 419% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 80 Kina (139元) | 89元 | + 57% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 10 Kina (17元) | 8元 | + 108% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 8 Kina (13元) | 13元 | + 6% | |
Housing | + 106% | |||
Housing in Papua New Guinea is 106% more expensive than in China | ||||
Papua New Guinea | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,187 Kina (19,530元) | 12,713元 | + 54% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,326 Kina (12,790元) | 5,917元 | + 116% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | 450元 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kina (26,187元) | 6,564元 | + 299% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 8,000 Kina (13,967元) | 3,518元 | + 297% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | 296元 | - | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | 100元 | - | |
40” flat screen tv | - | 1,460元 | - | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | 553元 | - | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 21 Kina (37元) | 43元 | - 15% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 38 Kina (66元) | 55元 | + 19% | |
Clothes | - 1% | |||
Clothes in Papua New Guinea is about the same as in China | ||||
Papua New Guinea | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | 418元 | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | 296元 | - | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 150 Kina (262元) | 553元 | - 53% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 600 Kina (1,047元) | 705元 | + 49% | |
Transportation | + 20% | |||
Transportation in Papua New Guinea is 20% more expensive than in China | ||||
Papua New Guinea | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 148,726元 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 10 Kina (17元) | 8元 | + 128% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | - | 228元 | - | |
Personal Care | - 1% | |||
Personal Care in Papua New Guinea is about the same as in China | ||||
Papua New Guinea | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 14 Kina (24元) | 42元 | - 42% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 20 Kina (35元) | 59元 | - 41% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 150 Kina (262元) | 114元 | + 130% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 21 Kina (37元) | 67元 | - 45% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 25 Kina (44元) | 57元 | - 22% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 21 Kina (37元) | 25元 | + 47% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 9 Kina (16元) | 6元 | + 160% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 21 Kina (37元) | 13元 | + 193% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 27 Kina (47元) | 85元 | - 44% | |
Entertainment | + 4% | |||
Entertainment in Papua New Guinea is 4% more expensive than in China | ||||
Papua New Guinea | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 150 Kina (262元) | 178元 | + 47% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 24 Kina (41元) | 105元 | - 61% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,179元 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 200 Kina (349元) | 320元 | + 9% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 21 Kina (37元) | 81元 | - 55% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 17 Kina (30元) | 28元 | + 7% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 14 Kina (24元) | 19元 | + 26% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,924元 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.34元 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | - | 412元 | - | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 24 Kina (43元) | 25元 | + 72% | |
TOTAL | + 61% |

These prices were last updated on May 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.746
CNY
/
PGK
Cost of living in Papua New Guinea is 61% more expensive than in China
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 16% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 164% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Angola is 18% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 67% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 61% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Argentina is 28% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in China
- Cost of living in Andorra is 83% more expensive than in China