Cost of living in Papua New Guinea compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 44% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Papua New Guinea is 44% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 26 Kina ($8) | $14 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 27 Kina ($8) | $8 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15 Kina ($4.41) | $4.27 | + 3% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 5.60 Kina ($1.66) | $0.87 | + 90% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 17 Kina ($5.07) | $3.02 | + 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 21 Kina ($6) | $4.01 | + 57% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 23 Kina ($7) | $6 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 17 Kina ($5.10) | $3.38 | + 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 19 Kina ($5.57) | $1.71 | + 226% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 17 Kina ($4.97) | $3.17 | + 57% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 80 Kina ($24) | $14 | + 65% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 11 Kina ($3.21) | $1.92 | + 67% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 16 Kina ($4.86) | $2.10 | + 131% | |
| Housing | + 60% | |||
| Housing in Papua New Guinea is 60% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 7,795 Kina ($2,306) | $2,198 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 5,266 Kina ($1,558) | $1,580 | - 1% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,944 Kina ($575) | $179 | + 221% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 8,213 Kina ($2,430) | $1,572 | + 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,459 Kina ($1,023) | $1,112 | - 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Kina ($592) | $118 | + 403% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 431 Kina ($128) | $48 | + 168% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 3,189 Kina ($943) | $301 | + 214% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 400 Kina ($118) | $119 | - 1% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 30 Kina ($9) | $11 | - 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 100 Kina ($30) | $22 | + 35% | |
| Clothes | + 39% | |||
| Clothes in Papua New Guinea is 39% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 183 Kina ($54) | $48 | + 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 237 Kina ($70) | $43 | + 62% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 223 Kina ($66) | $86 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 381 Kina ($113) | $111 | + 2% | |
| Transportation | + 71% | |||
| Transportation in Papua New Guinea is 71% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 125,000 Kina ($36,981) | $22,759 | + 62% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 11 Kina ($3.22) | $0.76 | + 322% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | $80 | - | |
| Personal Care | + 2% | |||
| Personal Care in Papua New Guinea is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 40 Kina ($12) | $7 | + 68% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 50 Kina ($15) | $19 | - 21% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 150 Kina ($44) | $109 | - 59% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 13 Kina ($3.94) | $6 | - 39% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 16 Kina ($4.73) | $3.45 | + 37% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 50 Kina ($15) | $4.90 | + 202% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 12 Kina ($3.55) | $3.44 | + 3% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 11 Kina ($3.31) | $1.80 | + 84% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 40 Kina ($12) | $21 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | + 6% | |||
| Entertainment in Papua New Guinea is 6% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 73 Kina ($22) | $45 | - 52% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 55 Kina ($16) | $25 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $207 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 173 Kina ($51) | $75 | - 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 123 Kina ($36) | $12 | + 208% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 17 Kina ($5.12) | $4.85 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 52 Kina ($16) | $5.75 | + 170% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 2,438 Kina ($721) | $405 | + 78% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.18 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 150 Kina ($44) | $53 | - 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25 Kina ($7) | $8 | - 8% | |
| TOTAL | + 44% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 52,545 prices entered by 6,704 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 28, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.29585
USD
/
PGK
Cost of living in Papua New Guinea is 44% more expensive than in United States
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