Cost of living in Papua New Guinea compared to United States
Currency:
Food | + 16% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Papua New Guinea is 16% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 32 Kina ($9) | $15 | - 41% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 27 Kina ($8) | $8 | - 5% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15 Kina ($4.09) | $4.22 | - 3% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 5.54 Kina ($1.56) | $0.89 | + 76% | |
12 eggs, large | 17 Kina ($4.65) | $2.94 | + 58% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 18 Kina ($4.99) | $4.10 | + 22% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 19 Kina ($5.41) | $6 | - 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15 Kina ($4.27) | $3.29 | + 30% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 13 Kina ($3.72) | $1.67 | + 122% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 13 Kina ($3.78) | $3.18 | + 19% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 76 Kina ($21) | $14 | + 52% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 9 Kina ($2.63) | $1.97 | + 33% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12 Kina ($3.36) | $2.01 | + 67% | |
Housing | + 35% | |||
Housing in Papua New Guinea is 35% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 7,910 Kina ($2,226) | $2,192 | + 2% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 5,227 Kina ($1,471) | $1,538 | - 4% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,652 Kina ($465) | $178 | + 161% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,220 Kina ($2,032) | $1,525 | + 33% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,317 Kina ($934) | $1,111 | - 16% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,111 Kina ($313) | $108 | + 189% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 324 Kina ($91) | $49 | + 85% | |
40” flat screen tv | 3,189 Kina ($897) | $270 | + 233% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 400 Kina ($113) | $127 | - 11% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 27 Kina ($8) | $11 | - 29% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 100 Kina ($28) | $21 | + 33% | |
Clothes | + 27% | |||
Clothes in Papua New Guinea is 27% more expensive than in United States | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 214 Kina ($60) | $47 | + 27% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 227 Kina ($64) | $43 | + 49% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 216 Kina ($61) | $86 | - 29% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 325 Kina ($92) | $108 | - 15% | |
Transportation | - 12% | |||
Transportation in Papua New Guinea is 12% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 125,000 Kina ($35,183) | $23,472 | + 50% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8 Kina ($2.38) | $0.64 | + 270% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 100 Kina ($28) | $75 | - 63% | |
Personal Care | - 8% | |||
Personal Care in Papua New Guinea is 8% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 28 Kina ($8) | $7 | + 8% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 34 Kina ($9) | $16 | - 40% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 323 Kina ($91) | $111 | - 18% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 12 Kina ($3.29) | $7 | - 51% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 21 Kina ($5.98) | $3.37 | + 77% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 29 Kina ($8) | $4.93 | + 67% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 8 Kina ($2.27) | $3.62 | - 37% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3.00 Kina ($0.84) | $1.81 | - 53% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 40 Kina ($11) | $21 | - 47% | |
Entertainment | - 18% | |||
Entertainment in Papua New Guinea is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 66 Kina ($19) | $45 | - 59% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 54 Kina ($15) | $25 | - 40% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 400 Kina ($113) | $211 | - 47% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 157 Kina ($44) | $78 | - 43% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 110 Kina ($31) | $12 | + 154% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 13 Kina ($3.80) | $4.95 | - 23% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 38 Kina ($11) | $5.73 | + 89% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,944 Kina ($547) | $411 | + 33% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.00 Kina ($0.28) | $0.46 | - 38% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 175 Kina ($49) | $49 | + 0% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25 Kina ($7) | $8 | - 15% | |
TOTAL | + 10% |

These prices were last updated on January 23, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.28146
USD
/
PGK
Cost of living in Papua New Guinea is 10% more expensive than in United States
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