MigrantoCost of living in Palau
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries
Monthly cost in Palau
Spending runs from $506 a month in the poorest fifth to $3,032 in the richest
Per person, whole country
$1,184
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
$506richest 20%
$3,032
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Key facts
The cost of living in Palau in numbers
The most expensive of its neighbours
Every neighbouring country is cheaper. The same basket costs $1,269 here against $885 in East Timor, the closest on price.
How living costs in Palau compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Palau against other countries
No price survey covers this country, so it is not placed on the scale.
Data source: household consumption 2023 (World Bank, regional estimate), price levels (income-anchored estimate), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Palau
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Palau and how much you could have left each month
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- How much could be left each month
- How it compares with today
Cost of living in Palau
$506/mo
vs $800 in your country
Take-home
$632
vs $1,200 in your country
Potential savings
$126
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Palau?
A typical person in Palau spends about $1,184 a month — around $14,208 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Palau?
By spending, Palau ranks #47 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about $1,184 a month, the poorest 20% about $506 and the richest 20% about $3,032. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Palau?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about $506 a month per person, a typical one around $1,184, and a comfortable life around $1,670. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in Palau enough to live on?
In most cases yes, but without much of a cushion. Average spending is about $1,184 a month, while the average take-home pay in Palau is about $1,232. For more on incomes, see salaries in Palau.
Is Palau an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Palau is more expensive than 75% of countries worldwide and ranks 3rd of 11 in Oceania by cost of living.
What currency is used in Palau?
Palau uses the US Dollar (USD). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
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Living in Palau
See the full country overview