Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to the Solomon Islands sounds idyllic: translucent lagoons, clean air, year-round warmth, an English-speaking population, and towns far from the frenzy of big cities. But behind the postcard, the shock is often financial. For an expatriate, the cost of living can be paradoxically high in this country classified among the least developed.
In practice, everything happens in Honiara, the capital and main gateway to the country, where jobs, services, schools, and hospitals are concentrated. It is also where prices are set, which concretely determine a foreigner’s budget.
This article offers a detailed, data-driven look at the cost of living in the Solomon Islands for expatriates, based on available data for Honiara. Goal: to help you build a realistic budget, without idealizing or dramatizing.
A Not-Rich Country… But Not Cheap
The Solomon Islands form a Melanesian archipelago of about 1,000 islands, with a population of just over 700,000 inhabitants, of which 80% live in rural areas. GDP per capita is around $1,900–2,000 USD per year, placing the country in the low-income economy category.
The cost of living may seem low for local services, but it becomes significantly higher if you want to maintain a Western lifestyle, including modern housing, high-speed internet, a varied diet with imported goods, international schooling, and private healthcare.
The numbers confirm it: on a country-wide scale, the cost of living is about 1.24 times higher than the global average, and Honiara is ranked among the relatively expensive cities in Oceania. The country ranks 41st globally for price level, but far behind in terms of salaries and quality of life. Hence a massive gap between local incomes and costs borne by an expatriate.
Honiara, Hub and Price Benchmark
Honiara concentrates political, economic, and administrative power, as well as almost all the services an expatriate depends on: international airport, best housing options, private schools, hospitals and clinics, supermarkets, coworking spaces, “expat friendly” cafes.
Average estimated population of the city, which remains small in area (22 km²) and low-density compared to major capitals.
Therefore, Honiara serves as the basis for all cost-of-living estimates. If you live elsewhere in the archipelago, some expense items may be lower (housing, rent) but others will skyrocket (transportation, logistics, access to services).
How Much to Budget Per Month? Major Budget Ranges
Various data platforms (Numbeo, Expatistan, sites for nomads) converge on the same conclusion: for an expatriate, Honiara is a city that can be very expensive if you seek comfort and an international standard.
The following orders of magnitude give a good idea of the budget to plan for, in US dollars:
| Profile | “Tight” Budget (incl. rent) | Average Expat Budget (incl. rent) | Comfortable / High-End Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Person | ≈ $950–1,400 | ≈ $2,000–2,400 | ≈ $3,100 and above |
| Couple | ≈ $1,400 | ≈ $2,400 | ≈ $4,500 and above |
| Family (4 people) | ≈ $2,000 | ≈ $3,400–3,800 | ≈ $6,300 and above |
| Digital Nomad | – | ≈ $3,400–3,800 | – |
A crucial point: the costs borne by an expatriate are in no way comparable to local salary levels. The average net salary, according to sources, ranges between $170 and $700 per month, and in some calculations it only covers 0.1 to 0.4 months of typical expenses in Honiara. The city is therefore livable for a foreigner only if they benefit from a salary or allowances indexed to international standards.
Housing, The Decisive Expense
For an expatriate, housing is often the first shock. The real estate market is limited, expat demand is concentrated, and rents align more with the salaries of NGOs, international agencies, or large companies than with local incomes.
Rent Levels in Honiara
On average, for simple but decent housing:
| Type of Housing | Average Monthly Rent (USD) | Typical Range (USD) | Equivalent in SBD (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom City Center | $600–660 | $425–730 | 4,500 SBD (3,500–6,000) |
| 1 Bedroom Outside Center | $570–670 | $360–1,215 | 5,250 SBD (3,000–10,000) |
| 3 Bedrooms City Center | $1,100–2,750 | $1,820–4,860 | 10,300 SBD (6,500–40,000) |
| 3 Bedrooms Outside Center | $870–1,500 | $610–3,040 | 7,000 SBD (4,000–25,000) |
The width of these ranges is significant: some houses or apartments for diplomats, NGO staff, or international missions can command very high rents, sometimes on par with Western metropolises, especially when they include security, a generator, backup power, and comfort amenities.
Average percentage of an expatriate’s expenses devoted to rent and utilities.
– $835 / month for a single person
– $1,270 / month for a family
This means a single person with a $2,300 monthly budget easily spends more than a third of their income on housing.
Property Purchase: Not Attractive for an Expatriate
For a foreigner, property purchase is rare and complicated (land tenure system, property titles, etc.). Available data shows theoretically high prices:
– Around $1,465 / m² in the city center
– Approximately $932 / m² on the outskirts
– Median house prices around $182,000
Current real estate market indicators are very unfavorable for buying (price-to-income ratio > 600, high mortgage rates at 13-15%, rental yield sometimes below 0.2%). For an expatriate, renting is the most rational solution, especially since many contracts include a logistical allowance (“housing allowance”) that can cover 30 to 40% of the total package.
Short-Term Alternatives: Hotels and Airbnb
For temporary assignments or during the scouting phase:
– Median hotel: about $119 per night, or $2,350–2,550 per month
– Median Airbnb: $139 per night, or $3,300–4,250 per month
Some short stays in mid-range hotels or guesthouses are charged around $250 per day, quickly making long-term accommodation prohibitive without negotiation or a specific package.
Utilities, Energy, Internet: The Hidden Cost of Comfort
The energy bill is no small matter in Honiara. Power is delivered at 230 V / 50 Hz, but electricity remains expensive and sometimes unstable. Add to that water, waste management, and especially Internet.
For an expatriate, it’s important to distinguish two levels: the amounts paid and the quality received.
Typical Monthly Bills
For an average apartment (85 m²) or a small house:
| Item | Monthly Cost (USD) for expat | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity, Water, Garbage, etc. | $100–250 (sometimes much more) | Reported average bill: $163 for 1 person, $254 for a family |
| Unlimited Fixed Internet (~50–60 Mbps advertised) | ≈ $95–100 | Very low actual average speed, around 0.5 Mbps in some reports |
| Mobile Plan (voice + data) | $50–55 | To be distinguished from data-only (about $12 for 10 GB) |
Local data in SBD illustrates the same phenomenon: unlimited Internet access can cost between 450 and 1,000 SBD per month, with a median of 725 SBD, which, relative to local salaries, is enormous.
In practice, many expatriates combine a local job in their country of residence with professional activity conducted remotely for an employer or clients located in their home country. This hybrid situation can complicate their tax and social security status.
– A fixed connection, expensive but relatively stable
– Multiple mobile plans (multiple SIMs) to “secure” against outages and coverage variations
Despite this, user feedback speaks of Internet being “unusable” for demanding uses (video, intensive telework), with an average speed around 0.5 Mbps. For a digital nomad, this is a major point of friction.
Eating in the Solomon Islands: The Price Schizophrenia
Food is an ambivalent expense. By relying on local supply chains (markets, simple fresh produce), one can live decently on a reasonable budget. But as soon as you rely on imported goods, the bill climbs quickly.
Indicative Monthly Budgets
Statistics roughly establish:
– $460 / month for food for one person
– $1,194 / month for a family of four
Some more detailed calculations estimate $350 in basic monthly groceries, excluding restaurants, for an expatriate.
Everyday Product Prices
For a “supermarket” oriented basket:
| Product | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 L) | ≈ $2.6–2.7 |
| White Bread (500 g) | ≈ $1.4 |
| Rice (1 kg) | ≈ $1.4 |
| Eggs (12) | ≈ $5.5 |
| Cheese (1 kg) | ≈ $4 (but some reports go much higher) |
| Chicken Breast (1 kg) | ≈ $9.5 |
| Beef (1 kg, round) | ≈ $14.8 |
| Apples (1 kg) | ≈ $6.5 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | ≈ $2.6 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | ≈ $7.8 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | ≈ $3.8 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | ≈ $2.0 |
| Onions (1 kg) | ≈ $3.3 |
| 1.5 L Water Bottle | ≈ $1.6 |
| Mid-Range Bottle of Wine (750 ml) | ≈ $10.9 |
| Local Beer 0.5 L (in store) | ≈ $2.2 |
| Pack of Cigarettes | ≈ $4.1–4.8 |
Studies on the food environment show a particularity: open markets (like Honiara Central Market) remain relatively affordable and prices for fruits and vegetables there have sometimes decreased between 2020 and 2021, while many imported products (frozen chicken, milk, etc.) have seen their prices rise, notably due to logistical disruptions related to Covid-19.
This is the average amount in SBD spent per visit to Honiara’s main market by urban consumers.
Eating Out: From Snacks to “Expat” Restaurants
Dining follows the same logic: it all depends on the type of place you go to. Several price levels coexist.
An overview of the main attractions and activities in the capital of the Solomon Islands.
Discover the rich history and culture of the Solomon Islands through traditional artifacts and exhibitions.
Immerse yourself in the local atmosphere and discover fresh produce and crafts at Honiara’s bustling market.
Enjoy the magnificent sandy beaches and explore the coral reefs rich in marine life around the city.
Visit key World War II sites, such as the Kokoda Trail and wrecks, witnesses to history.
– Simple lunch menu in a modest restaurant: ~$7–8
– “Inexpensive” meal in the city, local version: $7–10
– Fast-food meal like McDonald’s: $11–15
– Dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant: $44–45 for three courses
– Draught beer at a bar: $2.8–4.1
– Cappuccino in a cafe frequented by expatriates: $3.3–4.1
An expatriate willing to often eat at the market or at local eateries, and cook basic products, can limit their expenses. Someone who frequents trendy cafes, international restaurants, and imported alcohol will quickly see their monthly food budget soar above $600–700.
Getting Around: Small Budget, Big Constraints
Regarding transportation, the Solomon Islands offer a paradox more favorable to expatriates: costs remain rather low, even though they rely on fragile infrastructure highly dependent on fuel imports.
Daily Transport in Honiara
For one person:
– Average transportation budget: ~$31 / month
– For a family: ~$87 / month
This low level is explained by:
– Very cheap local bus tickets (in practice, informal minibuses)
– A relatively small city where distances remain limited
Some numerical benchmarks:
| Item | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Local Bus Ticket (single trip) | ≈ $0.35–0.40 |
| Monthly Local Transport Pass | ≈ $22–30 |
| Taxi ~3 km | ≈ $4 |
| Taxi 8 km | ≈ $11 |
| Liters of Gasoline | ≈ $1.25–1.30 |
In reality, most expatriates combine:
Getting around can be done via different means, adapted to the context: local minibuses (economical but uncomfortable), taxis (recommended for sensitive or professional trips), or company/rental vehicles (for positions requiring frequent and secure travel).
Outside Honiara, travel is mainly by boat, sometimes by small planes, which significantly increases costs as soon as you need to travel regularly from island to island.
Health: Low Quality, Potentially Very High Cost for an Expatriate
On paper, a doctor’s consultation in Honiara may seem affordable: around $29 for a simple visit, less than $4 for a cold medicine, $8 for a few days of basic treatment. But these amounts mainly reflect the public sector and relatively rudimentary services.
On-the-ground reports are much less reassuring: public hospitals considered “bad”, limited equipment, frequent drug shortages, lack of specialists, and strong disparities between the capital and the provinces. The best public facility remains the National Referral Hospital in Honiara, and some regional hospitals like Gizo or Auki, but the level remains far from Western standards.
For an expatriate, the rule is therefore clear: administrative and tax procedures must be followed to avoid complications and penalties.
– Do not count on the public system for serious cases
– Take out international health insurance including emergency medical evacuation to Australia, New Zealand, or another better-equipped country
Recommended international insurers (MSH, April, Cigna, Allianz, etc.) offer plans around $140 / month for basic coverage, but this figure rises when you request high ceilings, coverage for chronic conditions, or for an entire family.
Medical evacuation costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars. An uninsured expatriate therefore faces a massive financial risk in case of a road accident, infectious complication, or serious heart problem.
Children and Schooling: The Hidden Bill for Families
For an expatriate family, schooling is one of the most sensitive budget items. The local educational offer is limited and the quality of public education is considered low. Families therefore turn to international schools.
Available figures for Honiara indicate:
– Private kindergarten / daycare: around $96–120 / month
– International primary school: between $2,700 and $6,800 per year depending on the institution; several sources converge around $3,600–3,700 annually for some programs
In SBD, the annual cost of a year of international primary school per child can reach this amount, representing a significant financial burden relative to local salaries.
For a family with two children in international primary school, you quickly exceed $6,000–8,000 per year just in tuition fees, not including:
– Uniforms
– School supplies
– School trips
– Potential international exam fees
Companies posting expatriates often include an “education allowance” to cover these costs, but independents or those paid by more modest structures must integrate them into their own budget.
Leisure, Sports, Clothing: Small Expenses, Big Differences
On paper, some leisure items seem reasonable:
– Monthly gym membership: ≈ $90–92
– Movie ticket: $3–4
– Simple haircut: ≈ $12–13
– One hour of tennis on the weekend: $5–6
The leisure offering is limited, and many activities like beaches, snorkeling, or hiking, although often presented as free or cheap, actually incur additional costs for transport, boat rentals, or necessary equipment.
Regarding clothing, the situation also reflects the country’s isolation:
| Item | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Brand-name Jeans | ≈ $25–35 (some SBD reports indicate the equivalent of $70–80) |
| Brand-name Sneakers (Nike, etc.) | ≈ $110–120 |
| Leather Dress Shoes | ≈ $110–120 |
Imported brand-name clothing is significantly more expensive than in many countries, because it arrives via costly logistics channels and in small quantities. Many expatriates prefer to arrive with a complete wardrobe and only buy clothes on-site out of necessity.
Regional Comparisons: Honiara More Expensive Than Suva and Port Moresby
To better situate Honiara in the Pacific region, several cost of living comparisons are instructive.
Compared to Suva (Fiji)
Data indicates that the cost of living in Honiara is about 70% higher than in Suva for a comparable standard of living. Some illustrative examples:
– 1-bedroom rent in the city center: ~$600 in Honiara vs ~$494 in Suva
– Unlimited Internet: ~$95 vs ~$24 in Suva
– Utilities (electricity, water, etc.) for a standard apartment: $100–250 vs $38–58 in Suva
The conclusion is clear: Fiji, although far from being a “cheap” country, remains significantly more affordable on many items, notably Internet, electricity, and international schooling (despite high fees).
Conclusion of the comparative cost analysis
Compared to Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea)
Comparisons also highlight:
– Honiara ~22% more expensive than Port Moresby
– Restaurants, groceries, transport, housing: almost all these items are more costly in Honiara
– For example, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs on average more than double in Honiara compared to Port Moresby
In short, for an expatriate familiar with Suva or Port Moresby, a transfer to Honiara generally comes with a sensible increase in living expenses, unless a lower standard of living is accepted.
Quality of Life: A Delicate Balance
Aggregate “quality of life” indicators place Honiara at the bottom of many global rankings. An index around 32–37/100 reflects a combination of factors:
Frequently reported positive points:
– Relative sense of security for some profiles (little massive street crime)
– Excellent air quality (readings around 4.9 µg/m³)
– Low-density and uncongested city
– Warm climate year-round, actual temperatures between 27 and 28°C, feels like 30–32°C
But the negative aspects weigh heavily in the daily life of expatriates:
The living environment presents several significant challenges, including a high cost of living for a Western standard, failing digital and road infrastructure (very slow internet and dangerous roads), and a fragile public service system (health and education). The socio-cultural environment is perceived as limited in leisure activities and less safe for women as well as LGBTQ+ individuals.
For a single person or a childless couple, close to the sea and into diving, this environment can remain attractive despite its limits. For a family, the combination of schools, healthcare, road safety, and children’s leisure activities requires a much more thorough examination, often offset only by a generous expatriation package.
Why Is Life So Expensive for an Expatriate?
Several mechanisms explain why the cost of living in the Solomon Islands seems disproportionate relative to the country’s general development level, particularly for foreigners.
First, geographical isolation. Almost everything not produced locally—processed food, consumer goods, electronic equipment, construction materials—must be imported, often in small volumes, which drastically drives up prices. Electricity itself largely depends on fuel imports, hence high bills.
The market is characterized by strong duality: a majority of the population has modest subsistence incomes, while a small segment (expatriates, NGO employees, diplomats, executives) has incomes aligned with international standards. This creates a distinct ‘over-market’ for housing, schools, leisure, and services, disconnected from the rest of the local economy.
Aggregated data thus shows that the cost of living in Honiara can represent up to 8 times the local average income, and that rents are, as a proportion of salaries, much heavier than in Europe or Australia.
Concrete Strategies to Control Your Expat Budget
Based on available data, several levers emerge to contain costs without sacrificing the essentials.
In housing, location and type of residence are decisive. A 1-bedroom apartment on the outskirts rather than right in the center can save a few hundred dollars per month, provided you remain a reasonable distance from workplaces and services. Many expatriates also share large houses with several people, in secure neighborhoods, to share rent, security, and generator costs.
For healthier and more economical eating, it is advisable to favor shopping at local markets (fruits, vegetables, fresh fish), which remain relatively affordable and some prices of which have even dropped. It is also important to limit consumption of highly processed or imported products, often more expensive, and to cook more at home.
For connectivity, it is useful to combine a fixed subscription (even imperfect) with multiple local SIM cards and reasonable data plans. Depending on professional need, some negotiate with their employer to cover more costly options (satellite, dedicated lines) when stable speed is vital.
Recommended monthly budget in dollars for international health insurance including medical evacuation for an expatriate.
For schooling, families must integrate from the start the cost of an international school into their package discussions. An attractive salary can be meaningless if the employer does not cover a substantial portion of these fees.
Finally, for leisure, the country offers a precious advantage: nature. Hiking, diving, snorkeling, wildlife and flora observation, boat trips can compose a rich lifestyle with more reasonable costs than sophisticated urban leisure. The biggest expenses often remain transportation to the most remote sites, but smart use of local networks and seasons can optimize these outings.
What the Numbers Mean for an Expatriation Project
Taken as a whole, the data on Honiara and the Solomon Islands paints a very clear picture:
The country is not a cheap destination for a foreigner seeking international comfort and services. Expense items like housing, connectivity, schooling, and healthcare significantly increase the budget, well beyond just food prices or local transport. The significant gap between local incomes and the cost of living explains why an expatriate generally cannot ‘live like a local’ without giving up the specifics of their status, particularly regarding education, medical security, and protected housing.
For a standard expatriation contract, the numbers show that:
– A single person should aim for a total package (salary + benefits) allowing them to have at least $2,000–2,500 per month for on-site expenses, excluding savings.
– A childless couple should plan for $2,400–3,000 per month in local living budget.
– A family of four should aim for a minimum effective monthly budget of $3,500–4,000, assuming housing and school are partially or fully covered by the employer.
Without a sufficient level of resources, the risk is living in constant tension between the cost of living and quality of life. This situation undermines any long-term settlement project.
Conversely, for properly compensated expatriates, the Solomon Islands can offer a particular balance: an exceptional natural environment, clean air, a less dense and less stressful life, at the cost of limited infrastructure and a comfort cost much higher than what the income map would suggest.
Understanding these orders of magnitude before leaving is giving yourself a chance to turn a mission or a move to the Solomon Islands into a fully lived experience, rather than a series of budgetary surprises.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
