Cost of living in Papua New Guinea compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Papua New Guinea is 7% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Papua New Guinea | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 47 Kina ($12) | $21 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 32 Kina ($8) | $12 | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 19 Kina ($4.64) | $5.85 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16 Kina ($3.79) | $1.09 | + 247% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 34 Kina ($8) | $5.52 | + 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 21 Kina ($5.12) | $4.83 | + 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 42 Kina ($10) | $8 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 20 Kina ($4.88) | $4.23 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 21 Kina ($5.12) | $2.28 | + 124% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 19 Kina ($4.64) | $3.63 | + 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 80 Kina ($19) | $18 | + 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 10 Kina ($2.40) | $2.95 | - 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 8 Kina ($1.86) | $3.01 | - 38% | |
| Housing | + 6% | |||
| Housing in Papua New Guinea is 6% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Papua New Guinea | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,187 Kina ($2,730) | $3,081 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,326 Kina ($1,788) | $2,368 | - 25% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | $231 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kina ($3,660) | $2,197 | + 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 8,000 Kina ($1,952) | $1,611 | + 21% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | $168 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | $61 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | $254 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | $156 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 21 Kina ($5.12) | $15 | - 66% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 38 Kina ($9) | $34 | - 73% | |
| Clothes | - 8% | |||
| Clothes in Papua New Guinea is 8% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Papua New Guinea | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | $58 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | $51 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 150 Kina ($37) | $107 | - 66% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 600 Kina ($146) | $140 | + 4% | |
| Transportation | + 23% | |||
| Transportation in Papua New Guinea is 23% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Papua New Guinea | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $30,844 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 10 Kina ($2.44) | $0.94 | + 159% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | $84 | - | |
| Personal Care | - 54% | |||
| Personal Care in Papua New Guinea is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Papua New Guinea | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 14 Kina ($3.36) | $9 | - 63% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 20 Kina ($4.92) | $25 | - 80% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 150 Kina ($37) | $169 | - 78% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 21 Kina ($5.12) | $10 | - 47% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 25 Kina ($6) | $5.33 | + 16% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 21 Kina ($5.12) | $7 | - 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 9 Kina ($2.24) | $5.01 | - 55% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 21 Kina ($5.12) | $2.37 | + 116% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 27 Kina ($7) | $31 | - 79% | |
| Entertainment | - 34% | |||
| Entertainment in Papua New Guinea is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Papua New Guinea | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 150 Kina ($37) | $61 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 24 Kina ($5.77) | $31 | - 81% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $232 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 200 Kina ($49) | $106 | - 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 21 Kina ($5.12) | $15 | - 65% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 17 Kina ($4.14) | $6 | - 31% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 14 Kina ($3.37) | $8 | - 55% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $456 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.96 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | $71 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 24 Kina ($5.95) | $11 | - 47% | |
| TOTAL | - 6% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,147 prices entered by 1,854 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.24401
USD
/
PGK
Cost of living in Papua New Guinea is 6% cheaper than in United States
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