Papua New Guinea offers exceptional value for those willing to live like locals, with costs about 12% below the Oceania average. However, expats face a dramatically different reality: housing is expensive, imported goods carry heavy markups, and essential services (internet, electricity, schooling) are costly. The country is best suited for expats with employer-provided housing and hardship allowances, or those with flexible lifestyles and modest expectations. For digital nomads and independent expats, budget conservatively and expect hidden costs in housing, utilities, and imported goods.