Cost of Living in Papua New Guinea (2026)

COL Index: 47.9% of U.S. national average · Updated for 2026

Cost of Living Index

47.9%

vs U.S. average (100%)

Relative Cost

Very Low

Compared to U.S.

Currency

PGK

Salary Data

10 Jobs

Top 10 highest paying

Top 10 Jobs in Papua New Guinea — COL-Adjusted Salaries

Rank	Job Title	Local Salary	COL-Adjusted (PGK)
1	Surgeons / Doctors	10,343–33,831 PGK/mo	21,595–70,628 PGK/mo
2	Judges	8,691–28,444 PGK/mo	18,145–59,382 PGK/mo
3	Lawyers	7,039–23,057 PGK/mo	14,695–48,137 PGK/mo
4	Bank Managers	6,630–21,692 PGK/mo	13,841–45,288 PGK/mo
5	Chief Executive Officers	6,213–20,327 PGK/mo	12,971–42,435 PGK/mo
6	Chief Financial Officers	5,797–18,963 PGK/mo	12,101–39,590 PGK/mo
7	Orthodontists	5,588–18,316 PGK/mo	11,666–38,238 PGK/mo
8	College Professors	4,971–16,233 PGK/mo	10,380–33,888 PGK/mo
9	Pilots	4,144–13,576 PGK/mo	8,651–28,344 PGK/mo
10	Marketing Directors	3,728–12,211 PGK/mo	7,785–25,491 PGK/mo

* COL-adjusted salary is shown in PGK, restated at the purchasing power implied by the cost of living index for Papua New Guinea.

Salary vs. Cost of Living by Category in Papua New Guinea

Category	Avg. Salary (Local)	COL-Adjusted (PGK)	Purchasing Power
AI & Machine Learning	9,955 PGK	20,782 PGK	+109%
Finance & Accounting	9,841 PGK	20,544 PGK	+109%
Business Administration	10,968 PGK	22,900 PGK	+109%
Advertising	8,336 PGK	17,402 PGK	+109%
Architecture	8,458 PGK	17,656 PGK	+109%
Automotive & Car Industry	8,155 PGK	17,025 PGK	+109%
Aviation	10,042 PGK	20,963 PGK	+109%
Banking	11,794 PGK	24,621 PGK	+109%
Construction	8,070 PGK	16,848 PGK	+109%
Counseling	8,038 PGK	16,782 PGK	+109%
Customer Service	6,464 PGK	13,494 PGK	+109%
Education & Teaching	8,441 PGK	17,621 PGK	+109%
Energy	9,172 PGK	19,150 PGK	+109%
Engineering	7,699 PGK	16,074 PGK	+109%
Manufacturing	8,799 PGK	18,368 PGK	+109%
Fitness & Sports	5,853 PGK	12,220 PGK	+109%
Hospitality	8,371 PGK	17,475 PGK	+109%
Healthcare	21,785 PGK	45,480 PGK	+109%
Human Resources	8,134 PGK	16,982 PGK	+109%
Import & Export	6,319 PGK	13,194 PGK	+109%
Insurance	9,151 PGK	19,104 PGK	+109%
Information Technology	8,289 PGK	17,306 PGK	+109%
Law & Legal Services	12,843 PGK	26,811 PGK	+109%
Marketing	9,022 PGK	18,834 PGK	+109%
Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology	11,622 PGK	24,263 PGK	+109%
Public Relations	7,556 PGK	15,773 PGK	+109%
Procurement	8,346 PGK	17,421 PGK	+109%
Quality Control	7,326 PGK	15,296 PGK	+109%
Real Estate	9,704 PGK	20,259 PGK	+109%
Sales	9,833 PGK	20,528 PGK	+109%
Telecommunications	7,314 PGK	15,269 PGK	+109%

Cost of Living in Papua New Guinea — Overview

The cost of living in Papua New Guinea is 47.9% of the U.S. national average. This makes Papua New Guinea a more affordable destination compared to the United States. Your salary goes further here, especially for housing, food, and services.

Purchasing Power in Papua New Guinea

A salary with the purchasing power of the U.S. national average works out at approximately 803,757 PGK in Papua New Guinea for the same standard of living. This means your money goes further in Papua New Guinea, making it an attractive destination for remote workers and expats.

Cost of Living Categories in Papua New Guinea

Housing

Housing in countries with a cost index of 47.9% tends to be the largest expense, often consuming 30-40% of income. Rent, utilities, and property costs vary significantly between urban and rural areas.

Food

Groceries and dining out in countries at 47.9% COL can vary widely. Local markets offer lower prices while imported goods cost more. Cooking at home is generally more affordable.

Transportation

Public transit and fuel costs in a 47.9% COL country. Many countries have efficient public transportation systems that reduce the need for personal vehicles.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs and insurance in 47.9% COL countries. Some countries have universal healthcare systems that significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Education

Education and childcare costs vary greatly with COL index. Public education is often subsidized while international schools charge premium fees.

Utilities

Electricity, water, internet, and other essential services. Weather patterns affect utility usage and costs significantly.

Clothing

Apparel costs in 47.9% COL environments. Imported brands cost more while local clothing is generally affordable.

Entertainment

Leisure activities and entertainment expenses. Costs for cinema, dining, and recreational activities scale with the overall COL index.

Salary Overview — Top 10 Jobs

Monthly salary in PGK · singhyogendra.com.np

Surgeons / Doctors10,343 – 33,83122,087 PGK
Judges8,691 – 28,44418,568 PGK
Lawyers7,039 – 23,05715,048 PGK
Bank Managers6,630 – 21,69214,161 PGK
Chief Executive Officers6,213 – 20,32713,270 PGK
Chief Financial Officers5,797 – 18,96312,380 PGK
Orthodontists5,588 – 18,31611,952 PGK
College Professors4,971 – 16,23310,602 PGK
Pilots4,144 – 13,5768,860 PGK
Marketing Directors3,728 – 12,2117,970 PGK

singhyogendra.com.np

Top Paying Jobs in Papua New Guinea

See the full list of highest paying careers and salaries in Papua New Guinea.

Best Paying Jobs in Papua New Guinea

Take-Home Pay in Papua New Guinea

Estimate your after-tax salary and see how much you keep after deductions in Papua New Guinea.

Take-Home Pay in Papua New Guinea

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Papua New Guinea?

The cost of living in Papua New Guinea is 47.9% of the U.S. national average. This means it is less expensive than living in the average U.S. city.

How is the cost of living in Papua New Guinea calculated?

The cost of living index is based on prices for housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other goods and services compared to the U.S. national average of 100.

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Papua New Guinea?

Salaries in Papua New Guinea should be adjusted by the cost of living index to keep the same purchasing power. A salary equivalent to the U.S. national average corresponds to roughly 803,757 PGK in Papua New Guinea.