Cost Of Living For a Student in French Polynesia 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: XPF
Average monthly spending for students in French Polynesia
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in French Polynesia?
Students in French Polynesia spend around 71,000 XPF per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 11,000 XPF or as high as 470,000 XPF. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in French Polynesia
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 490 XPF | 730 XPF | 1,500 XPF |
Fine dining meal for one
| 970 XPF | 1,500 XPF | 5,800 XPF |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 730 XPF | 970 XPF | 1,900 XPF |
Average car 1-day rental
| 730 XPF | 970 XPF | 1,500 XPF |
Average car price
| 370,000 XPF | 730,000 XPF | 970,000 XPF |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 970 XPF | 1,500 XPF | 2,900 XPF |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 430 XPF | 2,800 XPF | 19,000 XPF |
Internet and cable
| 730 XPF | 1,500 XPF | 1,900 XPF |
Mobile phone charges
| 580 XPF | 970 XPF | 2,900 XPF |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 1,200 XPF | 1,500 XPF | 2,900 XPF |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 860 XPF | 1,200 XPF | 1,800 XPF |
Woman dress
| 810 XPF | 1,100 XPF | 3,700 XPF |
Woman shoes
| 770 XPF | 1,000 XPF | 2,400 XPF |
Men's shoes
| 660 XPF | 810 XPF | 1,600 XPF |
Men suit
| 730 XPF | 910 XPF | 4,900 XPF |
Regular t-shirt
| 370 XPF | 490 XPF | 1,500 XPF |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 12,000 XPF | 18,000 XPF | 49,000 XPF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 18,000 XPF | 29,000 XPF | 73,000 XPF |
2-bedroom apartment
| 24,000 XPF | 37,000 XPF | 97,000 XPF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 2.4M XPF | 3.7M XPF | 7.3M XPF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 2.9M XPF | 4.9M XPF | 18M XPF |
2-bedroom apartment
| $44,000 | $130,000 | $270,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 15,000 XPF | 18,000 XPF | 24,000 XPF |
Double Bed
| 9,700 XPF | 15,000 XPF | 18,000 XPF |
Single Bed
| 8,600 XPF | 11,000 XPF | 15,000 XPF |
Living Room
| 16,000 XPF | 21,000 XPF | 73,000 XPF |
Dining Table
| 7,300 XPF | 9,700 XPF | 18,000 XPF |
Sofa or Couch
| 9,700 XPF | 13,000 XPF | 29,000 XPF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 9,700 XPF | 15,000 XPF | 29,000 XPF |
Fridge or Freezer
| 8,600 XPF | 13,000 XPF | 18,000 XPF |
Washing Machine
| 11,000 XPF | 16,000 XPF | 29,000 XPF |
Stove or Cooker
| 10,000 XPF | 13,000 XPF | 18,000 XPF |
Mobile Phone
| 12,000 XPF | 15,000 XPF | 21,000 XPF |
Laptop or Computer
| 13,000 XPF | 16,000 XPF | 29,000 XPF |
How do students spend their money in French Polynesia?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost20%
20% of total expenses on average (15% to 26%)
| LOW | $24 2,600 XPF |
| AVERAGE | $150 17,000 XPF |
| HIGH | $1,000 110,000 XPF |
| Per Month |
Students in French Polynesia typically spend from 15% to 26% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 20% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 17,000 XPF with expenditure ranging from 2,600 XPF to 110,000 XPF. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $3.9 430 XPF |
| AVERAGE | $26 2,800 XPF |
| HIGH | $170 19,000 XPF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in French Polynesia ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 2,800 XPF with 430 XPF and 19,000 XPF being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $6.9 760 XPF |
| AVERAGE | $45 5,000 XPF |
| HIGH | $300 33,000 XPF |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 760 XPF to 33,000 XPF in a month on commuting with 5,000 XPF being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $20 2,200 XPF |
| AVERAGE | $130 14,000 XPF |
| HIGH | $860 94,000 XPF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in French Polynesia is 14,000 XPF. The cost of groceries can range between 2,200 XPF to 94,000 XPF. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $5.9 650 XPF |
| AVERAGE | $39 4,200 XPF |
| HIGH | $260 28,000 XPF |
| Per Month |
Students in French Polynesia allocate 5% to 11% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 650 XPF to 28,000 XPF with 4,200 XPF being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $4.9 540 XPF |
| AVERAGE | $32 3,500 XPF |
| HIGH | $210 24,000 XPF |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 540 XPF to 24,000 XPF with 3,500 XPF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $19 2,100 XPF |
| AVERAGE | $120 13,000 XPF |
| HIGH | $820 90,000 XPF |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 13,000 XPF per month with 2,100 XPF being the minimum spent amount and 90,000 XPF being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $15 1,600 XPF |
| AVERAGE | $97 11,000 XPF |
| HIGH | $640 71,000 XPF |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Low-cost alternatives in French Polynesia
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options56%
Few low-cost options44%
Based on the survey, 56% of the students living in French Polynesia have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 44% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes58%
No42%
Based on the survey, 42% of the students living in French Polynesia said that they don't have an emergency fund while 58% said that they do.
Affordable living in French Polynesia
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in French Polynesia?
Around 62% of surveyed students think that living in French Polynesia is affordable with proper budgeting while 38% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy57%
We asked student guardians and parents in French Polynesia whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 43% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 57% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 44% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 56% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance44%
Easily manages finances56%
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in French Polynesia
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in French Polynesia
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 430 XPF | 2,800 XPF | 19,000 XPF |
Internet and cable cost
| 730 XPF | 1,500 XPF | 1,900 XPF |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 580 XPF | 970 XPF | 2,900 XPF |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 2,800 XPF. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 730 XPF to 1,900 XPF with 1,500 XPF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 970 XPF but can range between 580 XPF and 2,900 XPF depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in French Polynesia is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in French Polynesia
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in French Polynesia
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 12,000 XPF | 18,000 XPF | 49,000 XPF |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 18,000 XPF | 29,000 XPF | 73,000 XPF |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 24,000 XPF | 37,000 XPF | 97,000 XPF |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 29,000 XPF | 49,000 XPF | 130,000 XPF |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 58,000 XPF | 150,000 XPF | 290,000 XPF |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 49,000 XPF | 73,000 XPF | 210,000 XPF |
House monthly rent cost
| 58,000 XPF | 150,000 XPF | 290,000 XPF |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 73,000 XPF | 180,000 XPF | 290,000 XPF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in French Polynesia ranges between 12,000 XPF and 49,000 XPF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 18,000 XPF to 73,000 XPF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 24,000 XPF and 97,000 XPF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 29,000 XPF to 130,000 XPF. The average rent of a townhouse in French Polynesia is around 73,000 XPF while house rental costs can be as high as 150,000 XPF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 73,000 XPF to 290,000 XPF per month.
Apartment and house prices in French Polynesia
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 2.4M XPF | 3.7M XPF | 7.3M XPF |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 2.9M XPF | 4.9M XPF | 18M XPF |
2-bedroom apartment price
| $44,000 | $130,000 | $270,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $150,000 | $220,000 | $660,000 |
Townhouse price
House price
| 24M XPF | 150M XPF | 210M XPF |
Villa price
| 29M XPF | 160M XPF | 240M XPF |
The average price of a studio apartment in French Polynesia can range from 2.4M XPF to 7.3M XPF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 2.9M XPF to 18M XPF. A villa can cost you 160M XPF on average with prices ranging from 29M XPF to 240M XPF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in French Polynesia will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 37 | x105 monthly income | 203 |
Property prices in French Polynesia can be x105 to x203 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x105 multiples of the average monthly salary in French Polynesia.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in French Polynesia is around 31%. This means that people pay 31% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 41% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
29% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 220 XPF | 2,800 XPF | 28,000 XPF |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in French Polynesia
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in French Polynesia
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in French Polynesia is approximatly 290 XPF with meal cost ranging from 150 XPF to 490 XPF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 490 XPF | 730 XPF | 1,500 XPF |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 490 XPF and 1,500 XPF with 730 XPF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in French Polynesia.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 970 XPF | 1,500 XPF | 5,800 XPF |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 970 XPF to 5,800 XPF with the average cost being 1,500 XPF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in French Polynesia.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in French Polynesia is around 190 XPF. Price ranges between 120 XPF and 290 XPF depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in French Polynesia is 120 XPF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 150 XPF and the minimum being 97 XPF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 97 XPF on average with 73 XPF and 150 XPF being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in French Polynesia is between 170 XPF and 300 XPF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 210 XPF.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 290 XPF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in French Polynesia costs around 110 XPF on average with prices rangeing between 79 XPF and 150 XPF depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 29 XPF to 73 XPF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 68 XPF on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 2,200 XPF to 94,000 XPF with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
