Cost of living
Lae compared to Western Highlands
🏛️
Overview comparison
LaeWestern Highlands
Consumer prices in Lae are roughly 3% higher than in Western Highlands.
Cost of living
| Item | Lae | Western Highlands |
|---|
| Total with rent one person | 465 | 540 |
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| Total with rent family | 1,196 | 1,176 |
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| Without rent one person | 342 | 315 |
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| Without rent one family | 799 | 1,033 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 224.82 | 269.21 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 356.48 | 448.56 |
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| Food person | 232 | 248 |
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| Food family | 516 | 561 |
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| Transport person | 22.93 | 22.77 |
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| Transport family | 69.51 | 74.44 |
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| Life expectancy | 80.63 years | 71.34 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Lae | Western Highlands |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 3.92 | 4.31 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 25.57 | 21.48 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 5.5 | 5.15 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 1.87 | 2.01 |
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| Cappuccino | 1.81 | 1.81 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 0.65 | 0.71 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Lae | Western Highlands |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 212.81 | 235.88 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 153.15 | 145.07 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 548.42 | 562.91 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 277.55 | 327.65 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 34.07 | 40.33 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 51.48 | 53.87 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 23.74 | 25.49 |
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Transportation
| Item | Lae | Western Highlands |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 13.88 | 12.02 |
|---|
| Monthly ticket local transport | 1,776 | 1,555 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 960 | 822 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 0.4 | 0.48 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 19.34% | 19.61% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 7.88 | 8.23 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 0.99 | 1.04 |
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Groceries
| Item | Lae | Western Highlands |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.01 | 1.14 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 0.63 | 0.79 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 1.62 | 1.89 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 5.92 | 6.03 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 4.81 | 3.58 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 6.2 | 7.34 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 1.45 | 1.05 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.34 | 0.41 |
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Other
| Item | Lae | Western Highlands |
|---|
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 21.19 | 18.96 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 4.36 | 4.89 |
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| Doctors visit | 19.14 | 20.81 |
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| Haircut, simple | 3.83 | 3.9 |
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| Brand Jeans | 36.03 | 34.66 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 77.73 | 70.56 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 150.01 | 103.41 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 4,459 | 4,061 |
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