Pohnpei, one of the islands in Micronesia, offers a unique lifestyle with its tropical climate and cultural richness. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocation or planning an extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you budget effectively for life in Pohnpei.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $11.5 on average.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $45.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $7.5.
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - Imported beer costs about $3 per bottle.
  • Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) - A Coke or Pepsi costs between $1 and $1.5.
  • Water (0.33 liter bottle) - A small bottle of water is priced at $4.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $0.26 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2 and $4, averaging $3.08.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $6 to $6.5, averaging $6.25.
  • Local Cheese (1kg) - Local cheese costs between $5 and $9, averaging $7.
  • Water (1.5 liter bottle) - A 1.5-liter bottle of water costs between $0.5 and $1.5, averaging $1.
  • Chicken Fillets (1kg) - Chicken fillets are priced between $4 and $6, averaging $5.
  • Apples (1kg) - Apples cost $6 per kg.
  • Oranges (1kg) - Oranges range from $5 to $6 per kg, averaging $5.5.
  • Potatoes (1kg) - Potatoes are priced at $5 per kg.
  • Lettuce (1 head) - Lettuce costs between $3 and $4.5 per head, averaging $3.75.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $1.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $2 and $5.4 per liter, averaging $3.7.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $5, with a cost of $1.24 per km.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $600 to $1200, averaging $900.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $450 to $945, averaging $621.67.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $740 to $3000, averaging $1580.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $800 to $1950, averaging $1216.67.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $120 and $150, averaging $135.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $99 to $297, with an average cost of $198.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 5 user contributions, as of the most recent update in July, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$11.50
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$45.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$7.50
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.00
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.26
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$3.08
Eggs (regular) (12)
$6.25
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.00
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$3.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$9.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.00
Apples (1kg)
$6.00
Oranges (1kg)
$5.50
Potato (1kg)
$5.00
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.75
Rice (white), (1kg)
$3.04
Banana (1kg)
$3.50
Onion (1kg)
$5.00
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$11.50
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
$3.70
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.24
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.00
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$900.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$621.67
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$1,580.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,216.67
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$135.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$198.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$40.00
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$20.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$50.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$80.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$68.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$110.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$98.00
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$356.00
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
360000%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$170.00
Pohnpei Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Pohnpei offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many Western countries, particularly in terms of dining and local transportation.

Housing costs can vary significantly depending on location, with city centre apartments being more expensive.

Grocery prices are generally moderate, though some imported goods may be higher due to shipping costs.

Utilities and internet services are on the higher side, which is an important consideration for budgeting.

Conclusion

Living in Pohnpei provides a unique experience with its blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. While some costs, such as utilities and internet, are higher, the overall cost of living remains manageable.

Prospective residents should consider the balance between affordable dining and transportation against the higher costs of housing and utilities when planning their budget.

Pohnpei

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of Pohnpei
All cities in Micronesia