Skyline of Daru
Cost of Living: 65 50,000

Daru, Papua New Guinea

Daru is a major city in Papua New Guinea with a population of 50,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 65

Below Average vs Papua New Guinea Avg (100)

Housing Index 70

Affordable

Median Income K 14,400

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Daru vs Papua New Guinea Average

Cost of Living
Daru: 65
Papua New Guinea Avg: 100
Housing Index
Daru: 70
Papua New Guinea Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 10.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: K 14,400
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 50,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 270/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 72°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: K200,000
  • 1BR Rent: K600/mo

Cost of Living

Daru's cost of living index is 65 (Papua New Guinea average = 100).

CategoryDaruNational AverageDifference
Overall65100-35.0%
Housing70100-30.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceK200,000
Median Rent (1BR)K600/mo
Median Rent (2BR)K750/mo
Price per Sq FtK133

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

K
%
$90,000 down
%
%
K

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Daru:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityK200
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)K51Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterK50Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)K150Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesK451Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Daru scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
65
Rent
K600
Sunny Days
270
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
86°F / 72°F
Safety
8.0 homicides/100k
Population
50,000
Internet Speed
10 Mbps

Climate

Daru has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January92°F72°F2.5"
April71°F87°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F90°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Daru faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake Extreme Risk

Located in a highly active seismic zone with frequent major earthquakes.

Volcano High Risk

Active volcanic region in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Tsunami High Risk

Coastal areas vulnerable to tsunamis.

Flood High Risk

River and flash floods.

Landslide High Risk

Mountainous terrain with landslides.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Forest fires.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 10%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year January to December
Term System Quarter — Term 1 (Jan-Apr), Term 2 (Apr-Jun), Term 3 (Jul-Sep), Term 4 (Oct-Dec)
Summer Break December to January (6 weeks)
Winter Break June/July (3 weeks)
Spring Break April (2 weeks, Easter)

Follows Australian-influenced calendar.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Daru, Papua New Guinea?

The cost of living index in Daru is 65, which is Lower the Papua New Guinea national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Daru?

The median home price in Daru is K200,000. The housing index is 70.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Daru is approximately K600/mo.

Does Daru, Western have income tax?

Daru is in Western, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Daru?

Daru enjoys approximately 270 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 72°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.