Lae, a bustling city in Papua New Guinea, is known for its vibrant culture and economic significance. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for both residents and newcomers.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Lae, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $27.3.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $57.09.
  • Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) - A domestic beer costs approximately $3.72.
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - An imported beer is priced at about $5.96.
  • Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) - A bottle of Coke or Pepsi costs around $0.87.
  • Water (0.33 liter bottle) - A small bottle of water is priced at $0.62.
  • Cappuccino (regular) - A regular cappuccino costs about $2.98.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $2.48 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $1.74.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs are priced at $5.06.
  • Local Cheese (1kg) - Local cheese costs $8.44 per kg.
  • Water (1.5 liter bottle) - A 1.5 liter bottle of water is priced at $1.49.
  • Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) - A mid-range bottle of wine costs $9.93.
  • Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) - A domestic beer bottle costs $3.72.
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - An imported beer bottle costs $5.96.
  • Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) - A pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs $7.45.
  • Chicken Fillets (1kg) - Chicken fillets are priced at $10.42 per kg.
  • Oranges (1kg) - Oranges cost $11.91 per kg.
  • Potato (1kg) - Potatoes are priced at $6.2 per kg.
  • Lettuce (1 head) - A head of lettuce costs $0.74.
  • Rice (white), (1kg) - White rice costs $1.37 per kg.
  • Tomato (1kg) - Tomatoes are priced at $1.74 per kg.
  • Banana (1kg) - Bananas cost $4.96 per kg.
  • Onion (1kg) - Onions are priced at $3.47 per kg.
  • Beef Round (1kg) - Beef round costs $12.41 per kg.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced at $1.24 per liter.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre is approximately $8000.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is about $1800.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre is around $1489.19.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 4 user contributions, as of the most recent update in July, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$27.30
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$57.09
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.72
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.96
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62
Cappuccino (regular)
$2.98
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$2.48
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.74
Eggs (regular) (12)
$5.06
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.44
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.49
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$9.93
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.72
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.96
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$7.45
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.42
Oranges (1kg)
$11.91
Potato (1kg)
$6.20
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.74
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.37
Tomato (1kg)
$1.74
Banana (1kg)
$4.96
Onion (1kg)
$3.47
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$12.41
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$8,000.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$1,800.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$1,489.19
Lae Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Lae presents a unique cost of living landscape with relatively high rental prices, especially in the city centre.

Dining out can be moderately expensive, while grocery prices vary significantly across different items.

Transportation costs are primarily driven by fuel prices, which are moderately priced.

Conclusion

In conclusion, living in Lae, Papua New Guinea, involves navigating a diverse range of expenses.

While housing costs in the city centre are notably high, there are opportunities to manage expenses through careful budgeting in other areas such as dining and groceries.

Understanding these costs is essential for anyone planning to move to or currently residing in Lae.