Tarawa skyline

🇰🇮Cost of Living in Tarawa

Kiribati · Population: 64,000 · Cost Index: 48/100

Cost of Living in Tarawa

Kiribati · Oceania

Tarawa is a coral atoll and the capital of Kiribati, one of the most remote nations on Earth straddling the equator in the central Pacific. The high cost of imported goods and limited infrastructure make daily life expensive relative to local incomes, though housing remains affordable by Western standards.

64,000

Population

48

Cost Index

55

Safety Index

38

Quality of Life

Average Monthly Cost: $850 (single person, excluding rent)

Cost Breakdown

Housing

Avg: $382.50
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$350.00
1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$200.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$600.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$380.00

Food & Groceries

Avg: $6.48
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$5.50
Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$30.00
McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$7.00
Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$2.50
Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$1.80
Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.50
Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$3.50
Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$7.00
Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$4.50
Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.50

Transportation

Avg: $5.90
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$25.00
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$0.60
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$1.50
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.80
Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.60

Utilities

Avg: $60.00
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$90.00
Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$20.00
Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$70.00

Healthcare

Avg: $12.00
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$10.00
Dentist Visit(per visit)
$20.00
Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$6.00

Entertainment

Avg: $10.38
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$30.00
Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$5.00
Cappuccino(per cup)
$3.50
Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$3.00

Clothing

Avg: $53.33
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$55.00
Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$30.00
Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$75.00

Compare Tarawa with another city

See how Tarawa stacks up against any other city in our database.

Quick Facts

Currency
AUD
Language
English/Gilbertese
Cost Index
48/100
Safety Index
55/100
Quality of Life
38/100

Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.