The cost of living in Tahiti is, on average, 31% higher than in metropolitan France (ISPF, 2022). The difference rises to 45% for groceries and 75% for dining out, but gas and baguettes are cheaper than in mainland France. For a traveler in Moorea, budget about 9,000 XPF (~75 €) per person per day for meals, and 6,000 XPF (~52 €) if your room has a kitchenette.
Yes, the cost of living in Tahiti is higher than in France. But not everywhere, and it’s not the same for residents as it is for travelers. This guide breaks down the cost of living in Tahiti item by item. It also provides actual food prices in Tahiti and Moorea (food trucks, restaurants, grocery shopping) and a detailed meal budget for a 5-night stay.
Exchange rate used: 1 € = 119.33 XPF (fixed exchange rate).
Is Tahiti really expensive? What the numbers say
The benchmark is thespatial price comparison survey conducted by the ISPF and INSEE. It compares approximately 500 goods and services between French Polynesia and mainland France. The result: in 2022, prices are on average 31% higher in French Polynesia. The gap is narrowing, as it stood at 39% in 2016.
Behind this average, there are huge variations from one job to another. As a result, two types of people ask themselves, “Is Tahiti expensive?”:
- Are you thinking of living there? rent, groceries, and entertainment take a big toll, especially with wages lower than in mainland France.
- You’re planning a trip: The cost depends mainly on your accommodations and your dining choices.
Cost of Living in French Polynesia Compared to France
| Expense Category | Difference between French Polynesia and mainland France |
|---|---|
| Alcohol and Tobacco | +83 % |
| Hospitality and Food Service | +75 % |
| Rents | +61 % |
| Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages | +45 % |
| Leisure and Culture | +41 % |
| Communications (mobile, internet) | +33 % |
| Transportation | -1 % |
| Average across all positions | +31 % |
Source: ISPF-INSEE, 2022 Spatial Price Comparison.
Which is more expensive: imported goods, alcohol, or dining out?
Everything shipped across the Pacific by cargo ship incurs freight costs, import taxes, and distribution markups. Imported dairy products, deli meats, fruits, and vegetables (apples, grapes), clothing, and household appliances are significantly more expensive than in mainland France.
Alcohol is the category with the widest price gap. A beer or a bottle of wine costs nearly twice as much as in the metropolitan area. Restaurants are a close second, with an average price premium of 75 percent.
Things that are cheaper than in France: baguettes, gas, and fish
This comes as a surprise to many visitors: some prices are lower than in mainland France.
- The baguette: its price is regulated and subsidized by the country. It sells for around 60 XPF (~€0.50), compared to about €1.10 to €1.30 in France.
- Gasoline: It is also regulated through the hydrocarbon price regulation fund. The price per liter has been set at 165 XPF (~1.38 €) since late June 2026, compared to over 2 € in mainland France in the spring of 2026.
- Fish: tuna, mahi-mahi, and lagoon fish are caught locally. According to the ISPF, fish is one of the few food items that is cheaper here than in mainland France.
| Product or service | Price in French Polynesia | Price in France |
|---|---|---|
| Baguette | ~60 XPF (~0.50 €), regulated price | ~1,10–1,30 € |
| Gasoline (liter) | 165 XPF (~1.38 €) | ~€2.10–2.20 (spring 2026) |
| Tahiti–Moorea Ferry (one-way, adult) | ~1,500 XPF (~13 €) | — |
Living in Polynesia: Salaries, Rent, and Daily Expenses
This section is for people who are planning to move to or work in French Polynesia. If you are planning a trip, skip ahead to the next section.
The minimum wage. The Polynesian minimum wage is 173,182 XPF gross per month (~€1,451) for 169 hours, an amount in effect since May 1, 2024. In mainland France, the SMIC has been 1,867.02 € gross (~222,800 XPF) for 151.67 hours, effective June 1, 2026. The minimum wage is therefore lower in French Polynesia, for a longer workweek.
Average salary. According to the ISPF’s 2024 Employment Report, the average gross salary on a full-time equivalent basis is 357,700 XPF (~3,000 €). Significant disparities remain between sectors, as well as between the public and private sectors.
Housing. This is the expense that puts the biggest strain on residents’ budgets. Rents are 61% higher than in mainland France, and the pressure is intense in Papeete and its surrounding areas.
Transportation. Gas is cheaper, but a car is still practically indispensable, especially on the islands. In Moorea, many residents who work in Papeete take the Tahiti–Moorea ferry every day (a 30- to 45-minute crossing).
Daily life. Cell phone and internet service cost about a third more than in France. Food costs 45% more, unless you opt for local options: fish, seasonal fruits, and market produce.
Food Prices in Tahiti and Moorea: How Much Does a Meal Cost?
For travelers, food is the second-largest daily expense after lodging. Here are the price ranges in Moorea.
| Meal Type | Price (XPF) | Price (€) | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roulotte (full course meal) | 1 000–1 800 | ~8–15 € | Budget, local atmosphere |
| Restaurant entrance | 700–3 150 | ~6–26 € | — |
| Main course at a restaurant | 2 850–4 750 | ~24–40 € | Lunch or dinner |
| Dessert at a restaurant | 1 350–1 950 | ~11–16 € | — |
| Full meal at a restaurant (appetizer, main course, dessert; drinks not included) | 5,000–10,000 (≈ 6,000 on average) | ~42–84 € | Dinner with a view of the lagoon |
| Groceries for cooking (2 people, breakfast and dinner) | ~2,500–4,000 per day | ~21–34 € | Room with kitchenette |
Restaurant prices taken from the 2026 menu at Le Cook’s. Prices for food trucks and takeout are approximate and may vary depending on the location and season.
Inexpensive Dining in Moorea: Food Trucks
Food trucks are a staple of Polynesian street food. You’ll find raw fish in coconut milk, chao men, steak and fries, grilled chicken, or shrimp in coconut curry, for 1,500 to 2,500 XPF per dish. There’s no upscale service or decor, but the portions are generous.
You’ll find them mainly in the evening, along the ring road and near bustling areas like Pao Pao. Be sure to bring cash: many don’t accept credit cards. For families with children, this is the simplest and most economical option on the island.
Restaurants: A Real-Life Example Using Cook's Menu
To provide specific prices rather than estimates, here is the 2026 menu for the Le Cook’s restaurant, located inside our hotel, overlooking Cook Bay:
- Polynesian raw fish with rice: 2,900 XPF (~24 €)
- Homemade burgers: 2,850–2,950 XPF (~24–25 €)
- Fish and meat: 3,150 to 4,750 XPF (~26–40 €), from tuna tartare to chateaubriand
- Desserts: 1,350 to 1,950 XPF (~11–16 €)
The prices are for a table with a view of the lagoon, which is in the upper-middle range for Moorea. The full menu is available online.
Supermarkets and Markets: Grocery Shopping
When it comes to cooking, two simple rules can help keep costs down. First, buy local: fish, pineapples from Moorea, papayas, bananas, and seasonal fruits. Second, limit imported items: cheese, deli meats, apples, and wine. A couple who prepares breakfast and dinner with market-fresh ingredients spends around 2,500 to 4,000 XPF per day.
Travel Budget for Moorea: How a Kitchenette Makes a Difference Over 5 Nights
All the suites at the Cook’s Bay Hotel & Suites feature a fully equipped kitchenette: induction cooktop, range hood, refrigerator, microwave, dishes, and utensils. Here’s what that actually means for a couple staying 5 nights, with meals and drinks only.
| Accommodation (couple, 5 nights) | No kitchenette | With kitchenette |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfasts (×5) | 20,000 XPF (~168 €), eaten out | 6,000 XPF (~50 €), prepared in the suite |
| Lunches in a wagon (×5) | 15,000 XPF (~126 €) | 15,000 XPF (~126 €) |
| Dinners at a restaurant | 50,000 XPF (~419 €), 5 dinners | 30,000 XPF (~251 €), 3 dinners |
| Ready-to-Eat Dinners | — | 6,000 XPF (~50 €), 2 dinners |
| Water, fruit, snacks | 5,000 XPF (~42 €) | 5,000 XPF (~42 €) |
| Total | 90,000 XPF (~754 €) | 62,000 XPF (~520 €) |
| Economy | — | 28,000 XPF (~235 €) |
Calculation assumptions: breakfast out ~2,000 XPF per person; roulotte dish ~1,800 XPF; dinner at a restaurant ~5,000 XPF per person (main course, dessert, and one drink); groceries: ~1,200 XPF per breakfast and ~3,000 XPF per dinner cooked for two.
Those savings of about 235 € are enough to pay for a boat trip or a dive in Moorea’s lagoon. The idea isn’t to skip eating out, but to mix it up. You can have breakfast overlooking the bay on mornings when you feel like it, and cook the fish you bought at the pier on other evenings.
For families, the cost increases as the number of guests grows. The Family suites have two bedrooms, a living room, and a fully equipped kitchenette.
What about the rest of the budget? Meals are just one part of the trip. Add:
- Flights: See our guide Flights to Tahiti and Moorea ;
- The ferry: about 1,500 XPF per adult per trip;
- Activities: See What to Do in Moorea.
If you’re torn between two islands, check out our comparison Moorea or Bora Bora also highlights the budget difference between the two.
Check availability for our suites with kitchenettes →
FAQ: Cost of Living in Tahiti
How much does it cost to live in Tahiti compared to France?
According to the ISPF, prices in French Polynesia are, on average, 31% higher than in metropolitan France (2022 survey). The largest price differences are seen in alcohol and tobacco (+83%), dining out (+75%), rent (+61%), and food (+45%). Gas and baguettes, however, whose prices are regulated, are cheaper than in mainland France.
How much should you budget for food during a trip to Moorea?
Expect to spend about 9,000 XPF (~75 €) per person per day if you eat all your meals out. With a room that has a kitchenette, the budget drops to around 6,000 XPF (~52 €). For a couple staying 5 nights, that amounts to between 62,000 and 90,000 XPF for meals.
Is it possible to eat on a budget in Moorea?
Yes. Food trucks serve full meals for between 1,000 and 1,800 XPF. Local fruit and fish from the market are still affordable. With a kitchenette, cooking dinner every other night cuts your budget by about a third.
How much does a meal at a restaurant in Moorea cost?
A meal costs between 2,850 and 4,750 XPF (~24 to 40 €) at a restaurant with a view of the lagoon. A full meal (appetizer, main course, dessert) costs about 6,000 XPF per person, not including drinks. In food trucks, a main course costs between 1,000 and 1,800 XPF.
Are there buses in Moorea?
Moorea does not have a regular bus system suitable for visitors. The Moorea-Maiao municipal government recommends using taxis or renting cars, scooters, and bicycles. Private shuttles also provide transportation to the ferry terminal and the airport. Our hotel is about a 15-minute drive from the ferry terminal and the airport.
What is the average salary in French Polynesia?
The minimum wage (SMIG) has been 173,182 XPF gross per month (~1,451 €) for 169 hours since May 2024. The average gross full-time equivalent salary is 357,700 XPF (~3,000 €), according to the ISPF’s 2024 Employment Report.