Cost of living in Noumea

Noumea, the capital city of New Caledonia, is known for its vibrant culture and stunning coastal views. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering a move 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 Noumea.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant MealA meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $17.66 on average, with a range between $13.24 and $22.07.
Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two)For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $88.3, with prices ranging from $44.15 to $114.79.
Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's)A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $13.24, with a range between $11.48 and $13.24.
Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi)Domestic beer ranges from $7.95 to $10.6, imported beer $4.94 to $7.95, cappuccino $3.53 to $8.83, and Coke/Pepsi $1.32 to $3.97.

Grocery Prices

MilkMilk is priced between $1.02 and $1.15 per liter, averaging $1.07.
Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread)A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.06 and $4.86, with an average price of $2.52.
Eggs (Dozen)A dozen eggs range from $3.53 to $6.57, averaging $5.12.
Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges)Apples cost $2.65 to $5.74 per kg, while oranges range from $3.09 to $7.06 per kg.
Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce)Potatoes are priced between $2.65 and $7.95 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.77 to $5.3 per head.

Transportation

Public Transport (One-Way Ticket)A one-way local transport ticket costs between $2.21 and $4.41, with a monthly pass priced between $35.32 and $78.58.
Fuel (Gasoline)Gasoline is priced between $1.35 and $1.52 per liter.
Taxi FaresTaxi fares start at $4.9, with a cost of $1.03 per km and $22.74 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $573.93 to $882.97, averaging $728.45.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $618.08 to $794.67, averaging $717.41.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1236.16 to $1942.54, averaging $1456.9.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $971.27 to $1324.46, averaging $1214.08.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre)The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $3973.37 to $5297.82, averaging $4481.08.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $3090.4 to $5739.31, averaging $3940.26.

Utilities

Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.)Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $160.83 and $309.04, averaging $191.1.
InternetInternet services range from $35.32 to $67.11, with an average cost of $50.92.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 27 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

Restaurants

Avg

Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

$17.66

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

$88.30

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

$13.24

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.49

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.84

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.15

Cappuccino (regular)

$4.44

Markets

Avg / Range

Markets

Avg

Range

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

$1.07

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

$2.52

Eggs (regular) (12)

$5.12

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.10

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.34

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

$17.66

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.59

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

$17.31

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.78

Apples (1kg)

$3.89

Oranges (1kg)

$6.18

Potato (1kg)

$3.44

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.65

Rice (white), (1kg)

$1.66

Tomato (1kg)

$6.62

Banana (1kg)

$6.61

Onion (1kg)

$2.94

Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

$22.52

Transportation

Avg / Range

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$2.65

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$56.95

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.48

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

$31,124.71

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.90

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

$1.03

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.74

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

$36,179.72

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,582.69

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

2.5%

Childcare

Avg / Range

Childcare

Avg

Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

$718.15

Overview Job Market

Affordability

Expensive

About this index

Noumea Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Noumea offers a unique blend of island life with urban amenities, but this comes with a relatively high cost of living compared to other regions.
Housing is moderately priced, especially for city centre apartments, but utilities and internet can add significantly to monthly expenses.
Dining out can be expensive, particularly in mid-range restaurants, though there are more affordable options available.
Transportation costs are reasonable, with public transport and fuel prices being relatively affordable.

Conclusion

Living in Noumea, New Caledonia, provides a unique experience with its beautiful landscapes and vibrant culture. However, potential residents should be prepared for the higher cost of living, particularly in terms of dining and utilities.

By understanding these costs, individuals can better plan their finances and enjoy all that Noumea has to offer without financial strain.