🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,462 in Calgary versus $2,980 in Port Vila.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,628 in Calgary versus $4,025 in Port Vila.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,795 in Calgary versus $5,070 in Port Vila.
🌍Living in Calgary costs roughly 17% less than in Port Vila, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Calgary84% above, Port Vila123% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calgary
Port Vila
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.33CA$25.70
$11.23VUV 1,307
63.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.9CA$98.0
$64.2VUV 7,473
8.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.95CA$15.35
$9.37VUV 1,091
16.86%
Cappuccino
$3.74CA$5.24
$5.06VUV 590
-26.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04CA$2.86
$2.18VUV 253
-6.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67CA$2.34
$1.69VUV 197
-1.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.20CA$7.29
$4.42VUV 515
17.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.71CA$9.41
$4.19VUV 488
60.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calgary
Port Vila
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.25CA$3.15
$2.22VUV 258
1.35%
White Bread(500g)
$2.75CA$3.85
$2.48VUV 289
10.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.23CA$4.53
$3.85VUV 448
-16.10%
Eggs
$3.45CA$4.83
$5.19VUV 604
-33.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.40CA$20.19
$20.31VUV 2,364
-29.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.89CA$18.07
$18.40VUV 2,142
-29.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.86CA$22.24
$18.41VUV 2,143
-13.85%
Apples(1kg)
$4.30CA$6.02
$4.82VUV 561
-10.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.34CA$1.88
$2.09VUV 243
-35.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.85CA$5.40
$6.08VUV 708
-36.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.25CA$5.97
$2.55VUV 297
66.67%
Potato(1kg)
$2.55CA$3.57
$4.24VUV 494
-39.86%
Onion(1kg)
$2.62CA$3.68
$2.08VUV 243
25.96%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.80CA$3.92
$2.59VUV 301
8.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.95CA$2.73
$1.05VUV 123
85.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.97CA$20.99
$8.99VUV 1,047
66.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.90CA$19.49
$12.67VUV 1,475
9.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92CA$4.10
$2.99VUV 348
-2.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91CA$5.48
$3.02VUV 351
29.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Calgary
Port Vila
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.74CA$3.84
$1.69VUV 197
62.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$87.8CA$123
$66.6VUV 7,758
31.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.60CA$5.04
$2.15VUV 251
67.44%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.30CA$1.82
$0.82VUV 95.8
58.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.70CA$40.24
$5.04VUV 587
469.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12CA$1.57
$1.85VUV 215
-39.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5KCA$35.7K
$23.5KVUV 2.7M
8.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7KCA$30.5K
$38.0KVUV 4.4M
-42.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
Port Vila
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$213CA$299
$542VUV 63.1K
-60.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.96CA$57.4
$24.94VUV 2,903
64.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.9CA$81.2
$226VUV 26.3K
-74.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
Port Vila
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.2CA$76.0
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$53.8CA$75.4
$16.52VUV 1,923
225.36%
Cinema Ticket
$12.63CA$17.71
$12.55VUV 1,461
0.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calgary
Port Vila
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$874CA$1,226
$620VUV 72.1K
41.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.9KCA$22.3K
$6,934VUV 807.2K
128.94%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
Port Vila
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.6CA$82.2
$46.05VUV 5,361
27.30%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.01CA$65.9
$67.3VUV 7,839
-30.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.1CA$119
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108CA$151
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calgary
Port Vila
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,380CA$1,935
$1,894VUV 220.5K
-27.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,159CA$1,625
$1,412VUV 164.3K
-17.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,324CA$3,259
$3,379VUV 393.4K
-31.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,905CA$2,670
$2,063VUV 240.2K
-7.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,786CA$5,308
$6,092VUV 709.2K
-37.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,511CA$4,922
$2,199VUV 256.0K
59.61%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calgary
Port Vila
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,940CA$4,121
$689VUV 80.2K
326.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.71
7
-18.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Calgary: July 13, 2026
Last update for Port Vila: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,380 in Calgary and $1,894 in Port Vila. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Calgary pays 327% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $70.0 in Calgary vs $64.0 in Port Vila. Groceries flip the comparison at $396 vs $451, with Calgary cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Calgary vs Port Vila: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Vila cheaper than Calgary?
Calgary is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 21% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Calgary or Port Vila?
Average pay runs 327% higher in Calgary, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Calgary and Port Vila?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,380 in Calgary versus $1,894 in Port Vila. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Calgary or in Port Vila?
Dining out is cheaper in Calgary – a meal for two runs $70.0 versus $64.0 in Port Vila. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Calgary and in Port Vila?
All in, you'll spend $2,462 per month in Calgary versus $2,980 in Port Vila – a 21% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Calgary or in Port Vila?
At $2,462 in Calgary versus $2,980 in Port Vila, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Calgary but tight or insufficient in Port Vila. The gap between the two cities makes Calgary the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Calgary or in Port Vila?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Calgary or Port Vila?
Safety-wise, Calgary and Port Vila are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Calgary gentler on the wallet – expenses run 21% less than in Port Vila. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.