While there are a fair number of expats in Port Moresby, that does not mean it’s an easy city to live in. Safety, ease of living, and cost all make it a challenging place to call home.
Most expats in Port Moresby come from diplomatic, NGO, or high-end business backgrounds. If you are not in one of these categories, life is hard. I’ve spent a lot of time in the city, visited friends, and stayed long periods, so here’s a realistic take on what it’s like to live as an expat in POM.
Table of Contents
Safety in Port Moresby
Port Moresby is not a safe city. Murder rates are high, and violent crime is common. Rape and sexual assault statistics are alarming, though actual figures are likely much higher because most incidents go unreported. I know this firsthand – I’ve been robbed at both gun and knifepoint.
Daily life is limited. Where you live, where you shop, where you eat and drink – all must be considered in terms of security. Walking the streets after dark is not an option. Even driving outside your immediate neighbourhood can be dangerous. Expats rely on secure compounds, armed guards, and careful planning just to get through normal life.
Expat in Port Moresby – Where to Live
You cannot just pick a place to live. Security dictates your options. Most expats live in gated communities with 24-hour guards. Robberies and kidnappings are common. Renting a secure apartment or house costs 5,000–10,000 Kina per month (1,400–2,800 USD).
A driver or company car is essential. Public transport is effectively non-existent. Your home must be safe and defensible – comfort is secondary. Common expat compounds include Boroko, Waigani, and Seven Mile.
Expat in Port Moresby – Eating and Drinking
Eating and drinking options are mostly inside gated hotels. The Lamana Hotel is the main expat hub, offering restaurants and bars. Others include Holiday Inn Port Moresby and Crowne Plaza. Street cafés and casual bars are unsafe.
Meals in these secure venues cost roughly 50–100 Kina (14–28 USD). Social life is limited and security dictates where and when you can eat or drink. Although as always, where there is a will, theres firewater….
Digital Nomad in Port Moresby
Being a digital nomad here is impractical. Tourist visas are easy, long-term visas are difficult. Safety and cost make staying outside a secure hotel or compound unfeasible. Mid-range hotels are about 120 USD per night, so you pay far above standard nomad rates just to survive. For affordable, safe digital nomad life, Jayapura in Indonesia is a better option.
Overall Cost of Living for an Expat in Port Moresby
Cost of living in POM is high because survival and security come first. Everything from housing, transport, food, comes with a premium. Here is a clear, realistic monthly breakdown:
- Gated compound rent (1-bedroom apartment): 5,000–10,000 Kina (1,400–2,800 USD)
- Driver / car hire: 3,000–5,000 Kina (850–1,400 USD)
- Groceries (local and imported): 1,500–3,000 Kina (420–850 USD)
- Eating out (hotel restaurants / safe venues): 1,000–2,000 Kina (280–560 USD)
- Utilities and internet: 500–1,000 Kina (140–280 USD)
- Security fees (compound / guards): 500–1,000 Kina (140–280 USD)
- Miscellaneous / leisure: 500–1,000 Kina (140–280 USD)
Total monthly cost: roughly 10,000–15,000 Kina (2,800–4,200 USD) depending on lifestyle and security measures.
Living in POM is expensive not because of luxury, but because survival comes at a premium. Cheap options simply do not exist outside controlled compounds unless you truly wanna dice with your life.
Photo: Marc Dozier/hemis.fr/Alamy
Conclusion
Being an expat in Port Moresby is hard work. For individuals without corporate or diplomatic support, it is a constant negotiation with safety and expense. Most expats are provided housing, transport, and security by their employers, which makes life easier.
If you are self-sufficient, it is possible but difficult. Port Moresby is not impossible, but it is one of the toughest cities to live in. Survival, security, and money dominate daily life, Everything else is secondary.
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