Guides · Oceania and the Pacific
Moving to Oceania and the Pacific: the best places to live
Arcadia scores 179 places across 17 countries in Oceania and the Pacific, from Lae at about $1,000 a month to Byron Bay at about $2,850. 155 are by the sea and 103 in the mountains. Typical ratings across the region: safety 4/5, healthcare 4/5, internet 3/5.
What the lists get wrong about Oceania and the Pacific
The lists say Sydney and Auckland, and this is the most expensive region we cover: a median of about $2,050 a month, with Byron Bay at $2,850. In the same region there are towns in Papua New Guinea at $1,000. The gap is not a detail, it is the whole decision.
The standouts
Within the 179 places Arcadia scores here, not the whole region.
Every country in Oceania and the Pacific
How many places we score in each, and what a month costs there.
What to weigh before moving to Oceania and the Pacific
Natural risks recur here: hurricanes and typhoons, earthquakes. It does not mean every place has them, it means you should check the specific one you pick.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to live in Oceania and the Pacific?
The median across the 179 places we score is about $2,050 a month for one person, from $1,000 to $2,850. These are estimates for everyday living, rent included.
Where is the cheapest place to live in Oceania and the Pacific?
Lae, at about $1,000 a month. It is the cheapest of the 179 places Arcadia scores here, which is not the same as the cheapest in the region.
Is Oceania and the Pacific safe to live in?
The typical safety rating across these 179 places is 4 out of 5, and the highest is Sydney. These are broad country-level estimates for comparing places, not local advice.
Which of these fits you?
A guide can only rank places for an average reader. Answer a few honest questions and we rank these 179, and 3,500+ others, against your life.
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