Thanks Jane for the prompt last night at the Yachty. I have always meant to dedicate a page to “the cost of living in Port Moresby” and I will continue to update this page over time. Jane suggested I take a grocery invoice and pop that in as well – so that will happen in detail on another page.
Here goes:
K100 = about NZD$60
3 bed accommodation (town area) anywhere from K3000 to K7000+ per week
1 KW power = about 53toea http://www.pngpower.com.pg however because of the type of accomodation we have we get charged 82toea
Mobile phone rates = cheap see: http://www.digicelpng.com Pos paid – K99 will get you 220 free minutes local as well as zone 1 countries (eg: Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, USA) – a good deal…
Internet: Digicel Mobile: 4GB = K450 (this is one of the cheapest internet options). You can buy a 3G mobile router (with 4port LAN) for K199 or a dongle for K99
Milk: 1 litre UHT (NZ Brand) K5
Cheese: NZ Edam 250gm K8 – K15
Beef: Scotch Fillet (local) K40 per kilo
Pizza: K55 for a big one K65 for a huge one
Satelite TV: K100 for 58 channels http://www.hitron.com.pg
Fuel: K3.50 per litre (approx – mine is included)
Beer at the Yacht Club: Expensive K11 Cheap K6 – Happy Hour = woohoo handles are 2 for 1
Wine: Jacinta paid K30 per glass once, didn’t check the price – ouch! A bottle of Yellowtail Bubbly costs K52, a glass K16
Meal out: K60 – K80 per person for a nice main at a Hotel.
Meal at Ela Beach Hotel: costs us about K200
Meal at Asia Aroma’s: costs us about K150
Meal at Angs: costs us about K90
Vehicle: 2004/5 Honda CRV – about K50,000 to K60,000 for a good one
Schooling: see http://www.elamurray.com for 2012 fees. 3 kids cost around K100,000 per annum
Yacht Club Membership: see http://www.rpyc.com.pg 1st year is expensive, after that a bit cheaper. Gym membership is K600 per year
Clothing: Kids clothing – cheap but poor quality, adults clothing – expensive, still poor quality. Shoes – get comfy ones in NZ. You can get 2nd hand designer clothes
Two new stores in Vision City and Duffy’s all do much better clothing
Electronics: an iPod touch costs over K1000 for the 8GB one!! a UPS costs K400
Games: Xbox games in some shops are K400
DVD’s: Latest DVD’s are K25 from the dodgy DVD shop
Coffee: Imported – REALLY EXPENSIVE… Local – better than anything you have had and cheap
Not sure if I already asked you this question Aaron – what is the quality of petrol/diesel there? What’s recommended to buy – petrol or diesel car or doesn’t it matter? Thank you ! Your list is great too! Jose
Hi Jose, we’ve had both petrol and diesel cars here. Diesel is cheaper with better economy and has better torque for the hills around the town area. Not sure about reliability, but one thing I would never buy here – is a sedan. You do need a 4×4
the Honda CR-V’s are very popular, but having driven one for 8 months – pretty thirsty on petrol. We now have a diesel Sante Fe which is pretty awesome.
Hi Aaron,
We have just settled in PoM. I like your blog, gives a lot of info+entertaining
Yesterday I went to Vision City to Digicel to get internet but they only offered the post paid pay-as-you-go option. Could you help how can I get the 4GB/450K option? Thanks Laci
Hi Aaron,
We’ve been following your blog for a while and we love it. We just got settled in PoM. Yesterday I went to Digicel in Vision City to get internet, but all we were offered is a prepaid pay-as-you-go bases 3G net. How can I get the above mentioned 4GB for 450K?
Thanks, Laci&Andi
Aaron – just found your blog, great work!
Laci, would you happen to be the second hungarian in town?!
Thanks Peter
Just wanted to say – sorted this out via email. But FYI – you need to contact Digicel HO in POM and speak to a corporate account manager for any post paid mobile or data
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Hi Aaron
Just wondered if LPG cylinders are readily available in POM, and whether you could indicate the cost of filling one (9kg standard LPG cylinder)? Great blog – thanks!
Hi Carrie,
Yes – 9kg LPG is available – it is a swap a bottle service, the first payment is higher than refills, ranges from about K200+ for the initial bottle and then half that for refills. But that is from the most expensive places – other places are really cheap, but in dodgy spots,
thanks
Aaron
Hi Aaron,
Enjoyed your blog. I am from South Africa and moving to Madang in about 2 months time. Do you have any info about that part of the country, i.e. cost of living , what type of clothes to bring with or any other info will be helpful.
Thanks
Hi Philip, one of my staff is from Madang and in fact was over there a few weeks ago. His name is Douglas, and I’m sure he will be able to answer some of your questions, although he does live in a village outside of Madang so expat life may be a little foreign.
I will ask him to get in touch,
Cheers
Aaron
Thanks a lot. Tell him any info is appreciated.
Cheers
Philip
Hi Aaron,
My husband is being considered for a postion in PNG. He has a few locations to choose from including Gordons, Goroka, Kokopo and Madang. Having lived in Madang as a child, this is my preference.
I was hoping you might be able to tell me which of the above position is best for small children (we have 2 young boys 6&8).
Also does you friend Douglas know if the Madang International School is an expat school?
Any advice is appreciated.
thanks
Kim
Hi Kim, sorry – I only saw your post the other day. If you want to live the tranquil lifestyle then Kokopo is the place for you, your kids will get spoilt and you will live in almost paradise. Gordons, if you wish to live in Moresby (none of my staff recommend living in Gordons area). Goroka can be a little bit hit/miss – some people love it, some hate it. Madang has been going south a bit lately, it certainly won’t be the place you remember, and Douglas has said don’t do it. Everyone thinks either Kokopo or Goroka
cheers
Aaron
Oh – and Madang International School – is an expat school
May I know the average cost or value of land in Papua new guinea per sq m? residential and commercial. Thank you..
Sorry, there is little in the way of freehold land for foreigners. Best you contact an estate agent like LJ Hooker
Hi, I hear PNG is unsafe, I am being posted here for 3 years. I am newly married, is it safe to accept the job offer? I will be based in Port Moresby.
Hi Valentine, I live here in Moresby with my wife and 3 young children. Yes, PNG has a few issues, Yes, sometimes – if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time you can get yourself into trouble – but it’s not a bad place.
Personally, I can’t believe someone would go through the trouble of trying to get a job here without researching PNG first. I’d suggest that you read through all my posts – and make up your own mind. As I have said on many occasions: What is OK for me, might not be for you.
good luck
Aaron
Hi Aaron, I just started my research about POM, PNG and found your blog ! My husband is going to start his contract with UN in about 2 months. We have 11yrs & 14yrs children to send schools in POM. Would you recommend a good expat high school for our 14yrs old son? I think we try The Ela Murray for our 11yrs. Would you also advise me on types of cars to bring in from Japan? Thanks in advance !
Hi Izumi, a lot of expats send high school aged children to boarding school in Australia. Not because the schooling is bad here (it isn’t) but because the need for good social interaction can be somewhat limiting here in Port Moresby. POMIS is the one school I would recommend locally for your 14 yo (I am pretty sure your younger child could go there too). Their website is: http://www.pmis.iea.ac.pg
You will get stung by import duty for 2nd hand vehicles at about 110%, so be prepared for a customs invoice on landing your vehicle. Most cars around are small/medium 4×4′s with some big landcruisers etc. There are service agents here for Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Mazda.
thanks Aaron