All figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Kiribati is the Australian dollar (AUD).

Monthly Living Costs in Kiribati

Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:

1BR Rent

per month, city average

€700

3BR Rent

per month, city average

€1,250

Groceries

per month, single person

€320

Transport

per month, public transit pass

€55

Utilities

per month, basic apartment

€220

Meal Out

typical price per meal

€12

Monthly budget (single person): €1,295 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)

Monthly budget (couple): €1,670 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)

These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.

How Expensive Is Kiribati Overall?

Cost indices for Kiribati
IndicatorValue
Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive)66.8
Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100)61.8

Salaries by Sector

Typical gross annual salaries in Kiribati from our sector dataset:

Salaries by sector
SectorTypical gross annual (EUR)
IT & Software€18,500
Engineering€17,000
Finance€16,000
Healthcare€14,000
Construction€14,000
Education€13,500
Hospitality€11,000
Retail€10,500

Taxes in Kiribati

Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:

Taxes in Kiribati
TaxRate / amount
Effective income tax at €90k gross7.3%
Net monthly pay at €90k gross€6,183
VAT / sales tax10%
Top personal income-tax rate15%

Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,183 per month. After rent and essentials (€1,295), roughly €4,888 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.

How Kiribati Compares to Its Neighbours

Regional cost comparison
Country1BR RentGroceriesTransportCost index
Kiribati€700€320€5566.8
Micronesia€850€280€6592.7
Marshall Islands€1,000€420€6595.2
Palau€1,200€450€3096.3

Quality of Life Metrics

Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Kiribati:

Safety index

58/100

Healthcare index

19.6/100

Internet speed

8 Mbps

English proficiency

68/100

Life expectancy

66.6 yrs

Expat satisfaction

6.8/10

What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence

We track 9 residence and visa routes for Kiribati — see the full Kiribati visa programme list.

Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €1,445 per month to sustain a move to Kiribati.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kiribati expensive?

Kiribati has a cost-of-living index of 66.8 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €700 per month and a single person spends about €1,295 per month on rent plus essentials.

How much money do I need per month in Kiribati?

About €1,295 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €1,670 per month.

What is the average rent in Kiribati?

A 1-bedroom apartment averages €700 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €1,250 per month in Kiribati. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.

What do people earn in Kiribati?

Typical gross annual salaries in Kiribati range from €10,500 (Retail) to €18,500 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.

Ready for the next step? See the full Kiribati country profile and the Kiribati emigration guide.

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