MigrantoCost of living in Papua New Guinea
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries
Monthly cost in Papua New Guinea
Spending runs from PGK 278 a month in the poorest fifth to PGK 1,680 in the richest
Per person, whole country
PGK 657
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
PGK 278richest 20%
PGK 1,680
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How living costs in Papua New Guinea compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Papua New Guinea against other countries
No price survey covers this country, so it is not placed on the scale.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank, regional estimate), price levels (income-anchored estimate), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Papua New Guinea
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Cost of living in Papua New Guinea
PGK 278/mo
vs PGK 3,530 in your country
Take-home
PGK 2,790
vs PGK 5,290 in your country
Potential savings
PGK 2,510
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Papua New Guinea?
A typical person in Papua New Guinea spends about PGK 657 a month — around PGK 7,880 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 Papua New Guinea?
By spending, Papua New Guinea ranks #138 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about PGK 657 a month, the poorest 20% about PGK 278 and the richest 20% about PGK 1,680. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Papua New Guinea in US dollars?
The cost of living in Papua New Guinea is about $149 a month, or roughly $1,788 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Papua New Guinea?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about PGK 278 a month per person, a typical one around PGK 657, and a comfortable life around PGK 926. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is Papua New Guinea an expensive country to live in?
No. Papua New Guinea is more expensive than 26% of countries worldwide and ranks 10th of 11 in Oceania by cost of living.
What currency is used in Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea uses the Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Papua New Guinea
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