Cost of living in Papua New Guinea compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 2% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Papua New Guinea is about the same as in United States | ||||
Papua New Guinea | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 35 Kina ($10) | $19 | - 47% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 25 Kina ($7) | $10 | - 29% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 13 Kina ($3.59) | $5.81 | - 38% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 7 Kina ($1.90) | $1.08 | + 75% | |
12 eggs, large | 23 Kina ($6) | $4.57 | + 41% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28 Kina ($8) | $4.59 | + 70% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 63 Kina ($18) | $7 | + 153% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 20 Kina ($5.62) | $4.22 | + 33% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 11 Kina ($3.10) | $2.18 | + 42% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7 Kina ($2.11) | $3.28 | - 36% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 150 Kina ($42) | $16 | + 161% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 10 Kina ($2.81) | $2.54 | + 10% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 6 Kina ($1.76) | $2.85 | - 38% | |
Housing | + 41% | |||
Housing in Papua New Guinea is 41% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Papua New Guinea | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 16,101 Kina ($4,526) | $2,838 | + 59% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 10,000 Kina ($2,811) | $2,105 | + 34% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,106 Kina ($311) | $215 | + 45% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,668 Kina ($2,999) | $2,017 | + 49% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Kina ($2,811) | $1,461 | + 92% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 500 Kina ($141) | $148 | - 5% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 199 Kina ($56) | $59 | - 5% | |
40” flat screen tv | 2,965 Kina ($833) | $290 | + 188% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 851 Kina ($239) | $123 | + 95% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 60 Kina ($17) | $13 | + 27% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kina ($14) | $32 | - 56% | |
Clothes | + 16% | |||
Clothes in Papua New Guinea is 16% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Papua New Guinea | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 175 Kina ($49) | $53 | - 7% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 165 Kina ($46) | $48 | - 2% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 300 Kina ($84) | $94 | - 10% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,057 Kina ($297) | $121 | + 145% | |
Transportation | + 52% | |||
Transportation in Papua New Guinea is 52% 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 | 100,000 Kina ($28,113) | $27,034 | + 4% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 3.36 Kina ($0.95) | $1.14 | - 17% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 500 Kina ($141) | $78 | + 80% | |
Personal Care | - 17% | |||
Personal Care in Papua New Guinea is 17% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Papua New Guinea | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 19 Kina ($5.20) | $8 | - 33% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 109 Kina ($31) | $23 | + 34% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 211 Kina ($59) | $136 | - 57% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 18 Kina ($4.92) | $8 | - 40% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 25 Kina ($7) | $4.61 | + 53% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 20 Kina ($5.50) | $5.72 | - 4% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 8 Kina ($2.18) | $4.66 | - 53% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 8 Kina ($2.25) | $2.14 | + 5% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 40 Kina ($11) | $27 | - 58% | |
Entertainment | - 15% | |||
Entertainment in Papua New Guinea is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Papua New Guinea | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 75 Kina ($21) | $53 | - 60% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 75 Kina ($21) | $28 | - 24% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 200 Kina ($56) | $195 | - 71% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 326 Kina ($92) | $92 | - 0% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 30 Kina ($8) | $13 | - 36% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 63 Kina ($18) | $5.54 | + 218% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 9 Kina ($2.53) | $7 | - 61% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,000 Kina ($281) | $524 | - 46% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.20 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 150 Kina ($42) | $57 | - 26% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 60 Kina ($17) | $10 | + 72% | |
TOTAL | + 22% |

These prices were last updated on February 05, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.28113
USD
/
PGK
Cost of living in Papua New Guinea is 22% more expensive than in United States
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