Lae International School
Verified
Lae CityAges varyContact school
International Curriculum
Cambridge International School
Country guide
Overview
Papua New Guinea🇵🇬
At a Glance
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
Cost of Living
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
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow 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
Walking Safety
Daytime100
Nighttime100
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Papua New Guinea
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.
đź’¸Most Affordable
Arawa
$1,396/mo
Safest
Lae
55/100
Best Quality of Life
Arawa
72/200
Best Healthcare
Port Moresby
49/100
City filter
Featured
Curated and popular cities first.
13 of 13 shown| 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
Families
Schools
6 verified school profiles across 4 cities in Papua New Guinea — language model, grade range, credentials, and published tuition. A sample is shown here; filter the full set in the School Finder.
Numonohi Christian Academy
Verified
GorokaAges varyContact school
International Curriculum
Ap Course Ledger
Port Moresby International School
Verified
Port MoresbyAges varyContact school
International Curriculum
Cambridge International School
Port Moresby International School
Verified
Location variesAges varyContact school
International Curriculum
Ib Diploma
The Ela Murray International School
Verified
Port MoresbyAges varyContact school
International Curriculum
Cambridge International School
Ukarumpa International School
Verified
UkarumpaAges varyContact school
International Curriculum
Ap Course Ledger
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
Healthcare system overview for Papua New Guinea
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A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Environment
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Papua New Guinea
Pollution Index
35/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
17.3ug/m3
Moderate
Environmental Quality
Air Quality100/100
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Papua New Guinea, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Papua New Guinea?
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.
Is Papua New Guinea safe for expats?
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.
What is the best city in Papua New Guinea for expats and digital nomads?
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.
How good is healthcare in Papua New Guinea?
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.
Is Papua New Guinea cheaper than the United States?
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.
What is the air quality and pollution like in Papua New Guinea?
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.
Before You Go
Core tools and insurance next steps for planning a move to Papua New Guinea
Plan Your Move
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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.
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Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
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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
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