Cost of living in French Polynesia, prices and what it is like to live for an Expat, quality of life / hardship, and compare cost of living for Expatriates as at April 2021.

What is it like to live in French Polynesia?

Climate: The climate is tropical, but moderate.

Language: The official languages are French and Tahitian. English is widely spoken and understood in areas popular with tourists. The knowledge of a few French and Tahitian words will be appreciated.

Religion: Christianity.

Economy: The economy of French Polynesia is moderately developed and dependent on imported goods, tourism, and the financial assistance of mainland France. Tourist facilities are well developed and are available on the major islands.

Inflation: 1.1% for French Polynesia as at March 2021.

Money: The currency of French Polynesia is the CFP Franc (XPF). French Polynesia is a French Overseas Territory but is not seen as part of mainland France. Not all credit cards are accepted.

Tax: In French Polynesia is based on the current personal income tax rates which are progressive up to 45%. Note: For income tax purposes, France covers mainland France, the coastal islands and Corsica; and overseas départements (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion and Mayotte).

Population: 280,700 (2020 est.)

Expat Life: In French Polynesia, business is generally conducted informally. Expatriate dress code is typically casual business attire. However female expatriates should dress modestly and observe and respect local clothing customs in order to avoid drawing attention. The safety risk for expatriates in French Polynesia is low. Risks include low levels of petty / street crime and those related to tropical storms and cyclones.

Health Care: Health care facilities are limited and the cost of treatment for expatriates can be high. Cases of Chikungunya virus have been reported. The COVID-19 officially reported total deaths for French Polynesia as at 15 April 2021 is 141, with 13,697 current active cases.

French Polynesia covers all areas within the country other than Papeete.

Cost Of Living

What is the cost of living in French Polynesia?

The cost of living for expatriates in French Polynesia as at April 2021 is high in comparison to other places in the world, with an overall Cost of Living Index (COLI), for all 13 basket groups, of 85.88 (New York =100). We have collected prices for the same items, world wide, based on Expat spending norms, in or closest to the location, and converted them to $USD so that we can compare the cost of 13 different baskets in 780 global locations. For each basket, compared to New York, the equivalent cost in French Polynesia is as follows:

1) Alcohol and/or Tobacco: Cost is average for items such as beer, spirits, wine and tobacco related products such as cigarettes. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$840. Average price in a store for a midrange bottle of wine is USD$21.45, domestic/local beer (500ml) USD$1.87, imported/international beer (330ml) USD$2.51 and a pack of 20 cigarettes is USD$14.56.

2) Clothing: Cost is high for items such as business, casual and children's clothing and footwear. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$1110. Average price for an international brand of mens jeans is USD$71, a quality international brand of running shoes USD$89, mens leather shoes suitable for office wear USD$131 while a medium size international summer dress from a global chain store is USD$46.

3) Communication: Cost is very high for various communication costs such as home telephone rental, internet subscription, mobile service provider tariff and data costs. A basket costing USD$200 in New York costs USD$362. Average price for a monthly standard plan internet subscription is USD$70, while the benchmark mobile tariff is USD$0.39 per minute.

4) Education: Cost is low for items such as creche / pre-school fees, primary school fees, high school fees and tertiary study fees. A basket costing USD$30,000 in New York costs USD$20100. Average annual private international school fee (excluding extras) USD$13,120 for Primary School, and USD$14,600 for High School.

5) Furniture & Appliances: Cost is high for items such as dining table and chairs, home entertainment, kitchen appliances, and sofas. A basket costing USD$2,500 in New York costs USD$2450. Average price for a 6kg front loader Washing Machine is USD$754, and USD$647 for a 46+'' LED UHD TV.

6) Groceries: Cost is high for items such as consumables, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruit & vegetables, general food products, snacks, soft drinks. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$920. Average grocery prices in a major international retail store for 1 kg apples is USD$4.80, 1 kg oranges USD$5.02, 1 head lettuce USD$3.09, 1 kg potatos USD$4.55, 1 kg boneless, skinless, chicken breast USD$16.46, 1 kg cheddar cheese USD$22.67, 1 dozen large eggs USD$5.29, 500g loaf white bread USD$0.62, 1 L full cream milk USD$3.02, and 1.5 L water USD$1.78.

7) Healthcare: Cost is very low for general heath care, doctor visits, hospital stays, non-prescription medicine, and medical insurance. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$440. Average healthcare cost for a private practice Doctor visit for an uninsured patient is USD$35, and a private hospital stay per day including nursing care, medications, diagnostic tests, food, and related costs is USD$1,088.

8) Household Accommodation: Cost is high for items such as apartment rent, house rent, property purchase, mortgage rate, and utilities. A basket costing USD$5,000 in New York costs USD$3300. Average expatriate house / apartment rent for a secure upmarket unfurnished apartment (3 bedrooms) is USD$3,309 in a central location, and USD$2,288 in a suburban location, per month, excluding utilities.

9) Miscellaneous: Cost is average for items such as dry cleaning, linen, magazines, newspapers, office supplies, and postage stamps. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$330. Average price for dry cleaning (1 mens 2 pc suit) is USD$6.44, while an international newspaper is USD$1.98.

10) Personal Care: Cost is very low for items such as cosmetics, hair care, and toiletries. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$175. Average cost for a mens haircut and blow dry is USD$14, while a womens hair colour, cut and blow dry - medium length is USD$70.

11) Recreation & Culture: Cost is very high for items such as books, cinema, sport and theatre tickets. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$640. Average price for a latest release international cinema ticket (average of on and off peak where applicable) for one adult is USD$16.17, and an international fitness, recreation or sports club membership cost for one adult is USD$108 per month.

12) Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels: Cost is average for items such as hotel daily room rates, meals and beverages in a restaurant, and take away food and beverages. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$650. Average cappuccino price (regular, medium) is USD$4.02, coke/pepsi (330ml) USD$2.34, burger meal (international franchise or similar) USD$11.58, and a mid-range international restaurant meal for 2 USD$60.88.

13) Transport: Cost is high for items such as fuel (petrol/gasoline), car hire, public transport, vehicle purchase and maintenance. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$1130. Average average price over the last year for highest available octane petrol / gasoline (1L) is USD$1.21, while the benchmark car sedan purchase price including taxes/duties for a compact / small / economy vehicle (1.4 L) is USD$38,855.

How does the cost of living in French Polynesia compare?

French Polynesia is 11.6% more expensive than USA for groceries, -0.5% cheaper for household costs than UK, and 121.8% more expensive for transport costs than India.

What is the quality of life / hardship in French Polynesia?

French Polynesia is ranked as a high degree of hardship location.The hardship premium for French Polynesia for an expat from Australia, is for example 20%, i.e. host location (French Polynesia) premium of 30% minus home (Australia) location premium of 10%.

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