How Papua New Guinea compares across key indices
Cost of Living
71 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
55/100
Healthcare
43/100
Quality of Life
71/200
How far your money goes in Papua New Guinea
Cost of Living
71
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
53
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
71
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
74
100 = NYC dining
How safe residents feel in Papua New Guinea - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
55/100
Crime Index
55/100
Lower is better
0 point drop from day to night
Papua New Guinea has 13 cities with Freedom Abroad estimates. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,396 in Arawa to $1,711 in Port Moresby. Lae leads on safety, scoring 55/100. Arawa ranks highest for quality of life at 72/200.
Arawa
$1,396/mo
Lae
55/100
Arawa
72/200
Port Moresby
49/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Moresby | $1,711 | 53/100 | 70/200 | 49/100 | 36 |
| Lae | $1,427 | 55/100 | 71/200 | 40/100 | 28 |
| Arawa | $1,396 | 55/100 | 72/200 | 39/100 | 27 |
| Mount Hagen | $1,396 | 55/100 | 72/200 | 39/100 | 27 |
| Popondetta | $1,396 | 55/100 | 72/200 | 39/100 | 27 |
| Madang | $1,396 | 55/100 | 72/200 | 39/100 | 27 |
| Kokopo | $1,396 | 55/100 | 72/200 | 39/100 | 27 |
| Mendi | $1,396 | 55/100 | 72/200 | 39/100 | 27 |
| Kimbe | $1,396 | 55/100 | 72/200 | 39/100 | 27 |
| Goroka | $1,396 | 55/100 | 72/200 | 39/100 | 27 |
| Wewak | $1,396 | 55/100 | 72/200 | 39/100 | 27 |
| Bulolo | $1,396 | 55/100 | 72/200 | 39/100 | 27 |
| Daru | $1,396 | 55/100 | 72/200 | 39/100 | 27 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Verified school profiles for families comparing language model, grade range, credentials, and admissions next steps in Papua New Guinea. Tuition appears only when published in verified public sources.
6
Verified records
4
Cities covered
3
Credential signals
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
International curriculum
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
Goroka
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
High school
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
International curriculum
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
High school
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
International curriculum
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
Ukarumpa
Ages and grades
Ages vary by program
High school
Tuition
Contact school
Confirm current fees directly with the school.
School records are maintained from direct school pages, public credential directories, public registry claims, and carefully labeled directory/community sources. Admissions, seat availability, and tuition can change quickly, so Freedom Abroad treats unpublished costs as “Contact school” instead of estimating.
Healthcare system overview for Papua New Guinea
Recommended PartnerReal coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Papua New Guinea
Pollution Index
35/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
17.3ug/m3
Moderate
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Common questions about living in Papua New Guinea, answered with data
Papua New Guinea has a cost of living index of 71 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,711 in Port Moresby.
Papua New Guinea has a safety index of 55/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Port Moresby scores highest on safety at 53/100.
Port Moresby ranks highest for quality of life in Papua New Guinea, scoring 70/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $1,711/mo for a single person.
Papua New Guinea scores 43/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it limited in some areas by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Yes. Papua New Guinea's cost of living is roughly 29% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 47% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Papua New Guinea has a pollution index of 35/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
Your pre-departure checklist for Papua New Guinea
Where Can I Move?
Check whether this country fits your passport, budget, work setup, safety floor, and priorities.
Build My Escape Plan
Turn this country into a practical move plan with visa, insurance, housing, banking, and scouting-trip next steps.
Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
Recommended PartnerReal coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.
eSIM, VPN, and reliable internet - sorted before you land.
Secure at least your first week. Having a home base makes everything else easier.
Find the cheapest flights with flexible date search. Set alerts for price drops on your route.
Follow Papua New Guinea
Future guides and articles for Papua New Guinea will land in your inbox.
Cost of living, safety, school, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates or verified public records modeled from open sources. Data sources
Freedom Abroad helps you figure out the part nobody talks about: how to actually build a life in another country. Films, tools, and data. No fluff.
Learn about our mission