Cost Of Living For a Student in Papua New Guinea 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: PGK
Average monthly spending for students in Papua New Guinea
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Papua New Guinea?
Students in Papua New Guinea spend around 2,000 PGK per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 310 PGK or as high as 13,000 PGK. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Papua New Guinea
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
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
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 10,000 PGK | 21,000 PGK | 27,000 PGK |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 340 PGK | 520 PGK | 1,400 PGK |
1-bedroom apartment
| 520 PGK | 820 PGK | 2,100 PGK |
2-bedroom apartment
| 690 PGK | 1,000 PGK | 2,700 PGK |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 69,000 PGK | 100,000 PGK | 210,000 PGK |
1-bedroom apartment
| 82,000 PGK | 140,000 PGK | 520,000 PGK |
2-bedroom apartment
| 140,000 PGK | 410,000 PGK | 820,000 PGK |
| $36,000 | $110,000 | $220,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
Double Bed
Single Bed
Living Room
| 460 PGK | 590 PGK | 2,100 PGK |
Dining Table
Sofa or Couch
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
Fridge or Freezer
Washing Machine
Stove or Cooker
Mobile Phone
Laptop or Computer
How do students spend their money in Papua New Guinea?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)
| LOW | $20 74 PGK |
| AVERAGE | $130 490 PGK |
| HIGH | $860 3,200 PGK |
| Per Month |
Students in Papua New Guinea typically spend from 14% to 25% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 19% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 490 PGK with expenditure ranging from 74 PGK to 3,200 PGK. 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 | $3.3 12 PGK |
| AVERAGE | $21 81 PGK |
| HIGH | $140 540 PGK |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Papua New Guinea ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 81 PGK with 12 PGK and 540 PGK 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 | $5.7 22 PGK |
| AVERAGE | $38 140 PGK |
| HIGH | $250 940 PGK |
| 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 22 PGK to 940 PGK in a month on commuting with 140 PGK 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 | $16 61 PGK |
| AVERAGE | $110 400 PGK |
| HIGH | $720 2,700 PGK |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Papua New Guinea is 400 PGK. The cost of groceries can range between 61 PGK to 2,700 PGK. 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 | $4.9 18 PGK |
| AVERAGE | $32 120 PGK |
| HIGH | $210 810 PGK |
| Per Month |
Students in Papua New Guinea 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 18 PGK to 810 PGK with 120 PGK 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 | $4.1 15 PGK |
| AVERAGE | $27 100 PGK |
| HIGH | $180 670 PGK |
| 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 15 PGK to 670 PGK with 100 PGK 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 | $15 58 PGK |
| AVERAGE | $100 380 PGK |
| HIGH | $680 2,600 PGK |
| 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 380 PGK per month with 58 PGK being the minimum spent amount and 2,600 PGK being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $12 46 PGK |
| AVERAGE | $81 300 PGK |
| HIGH | $540 2,000 PGK |
| 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.
Affordable living in Papua New Guinea
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Papua New Guinea?
Around 61% of surveyed students think that living in Papua New Guinea is affordable with proper budgeting while 39% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Papua New Guinea
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 options58%
Few low-cost options42%
Based on the survey, 58% of the students living in Papua New Guinea have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 42% 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 of Papua New Guinea whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes60%
No40%
Based on the survey, 40% of the students living in Papua New Guinea said that they don't have an emergency fund while 60% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Papua New Guinea
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 Leteracy56%
We asked student guardians and parents in Papua New Guinea whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 44% 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 56% 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 Papua New Guinea have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 38% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 62% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance38%
Easily manages finances62%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Papua New Guinea
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Papua New Guinea
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 340 PGK | 520 PGK | 1,400 PGK |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 520 PGK | 820 PGK | 2,100 PGK |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 690 PGK | 1,000 PGK | 2,700 PGK |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 820 PGK | 1,400 PGK | 3,700 PGK |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,600 PGK | 4,100 PGK | 8,200 PGK |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 1,400 PGK | 2,100 PGK | 5,900 PGK |
House monthly rent cost
| 1,600 PGK | 4,100 PGK | 8,200 PGK |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 2,100 PGK | 5,200 PGK | 8,200 PGK |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Papua New Guinea ranges between 340 PGK and 1,400 PGK, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 520 PGK to 2,100 PGK. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 690 PGK and 2,700 PGK per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 820 PGK to 3,700 PGK. The average rent of a townhouse in Papua New Guinea is around 2,100 PGK while house rental costs can be as high as 4,100 PGK per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 2,100 PGK to 8,200 PGK per month.
Apartment and house prices in Papua New Guinea
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 69,000 PGK | 100,000 PGK | 210,000 PGK |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 82,000 PGK | 140,000 PGK | 520,000 PGK |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 140,000 PGK | 410,000 PGK | 820,000 PGK |
| $36,000 | $110,000 | $220,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 460,000 PGK | 690,000 PGK | 2.1M PGK |
| $120,000 | $180,000 | $550,000 |
Townhouse price
| 590,000 PGK | 1.4M PGK | 5.2M PGK |
House price
| 690,000 PGK | 4.1M PGK | 5.9M PGK |
Villa price
| 820,000 PGK | 4.6M PGK | 6.9M PGK |
The average price of a studio apartment in Papua New Guinea can range from 69,000 PGK to 210,000 PGK depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 82,000 PGK to 520,000 PGK. A villa can cost you 4.6M PGK on average with prices ranging from 820,000 PGK to 6.9M PGK.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Papua New Guinea 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
| 36 | x105 monthly income | 203 |
Property prices in Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Papua New Guinea is around 30%. This means that people pay 30% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 20% to 40% 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
28% 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.
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.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Papua New Guinea
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Papua New Guinea
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
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 81 PGK. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 21 PGK to 55 PGK with 41 PGK being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 27 PGK but can range between 16 PGK and 82 PGK 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 Papua New Guinea 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.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Papua New Guinea
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Papua New Guinea
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 Papua New Guinea is approximatly 8.2 PGK with meal cost ranging from 4.1 PGK to 14 PGK. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 14 PGK and 41 PGK with 21 PGK being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Papua New Guinea.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 27 PGK to 160 PGK with the average cost being 41 PGK for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Papua New Guinea.
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 Papua New Guinea is around 5.5 PGK. Price ranges between 3.4 PGK and 8.2 PGK 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 Papua New Guinea is 3.3 PGK. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 4.1 PGK and the minimum being 2.7 PGK depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 2.7 PGK on average with 2.1 PGK and 4.1 PGK being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Papua New Guinea is between 4.7 PGK and 8.6 PGK depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 6.1 PGK.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 8.2 PGK. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Papua New Guinea costs around 3 PGK on average with prices rangeing between 2.2 PGK and 4.3 PGK depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 0.82 PGK to 2.1 PGK. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 1.9 PGK on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Papua New Guinea is around 26%. This means that students spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 32% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 61 PGK to 2,700 PGK with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
