Cost of Living Comparison Between Nadi and Lautoka Cost of Living Comparison Between Nadi and Lautoka

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,062 in Nadi versus $697 in Lautoka.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,686 in Nadi versus $1,222 in Lautoka.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,309 in Nadi versus $1,746 in Lautoka.

Living in Nadi is roughly 52% more expensive than Lautoka, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Nadi 21% lower, Lautoka 48% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nadi
Lautoka
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.03 FJD 8.83
$5.02 FJD 11.00
-19.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.59 FJD 58.2
$45.40 FJD 99.4
-41.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.16 FJD 17.87
$6.61 FJD 14.48
23.45%
Cappuccino
$3.44 FJD 7.53
$3.21 FJD 7.03
7.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.93 FJD 2.04
$1.31 FJD 2.87
-29.01%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02 FJD 2.24
$0.67 FJD 1.46
52.24%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.97 FJD 6.51
$2.41 FJD 5.28
23.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.19 FJD 6.98
$3.49 FJD 7.65
-8.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nadi
Lautoka
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.35 FJD 2.95
$1.33 FJD 2.91
1.50%
White Bread (500g)
$0.86 FJD 1.88
$0.53 FJD 1.17
62.26%
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$0.82 FJD 1.79
-
Eggs
$2.20 FJD 4.81
$3.22 FJD 7.04
-31.68%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.16 FJD 11.30
$9.26 FJD 20.28
-44.28%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.08 FJD 28.65
$7.15 FJD 15.66
82.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$7.50 FJD 16.43
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.20 FJD 4.81
$2.53 FJD 5.54
-13.04%
Banana (1kg)
$2.73 FJD 5.98
$2.51 FJD 5.49
8.76%
Oranges (1kg)
-
$2.83 FJD 6.20
-
Tomato (1kg)
$3.42 FJD 7.50
$3.09 FJD 6.77
10.68%
Potato (1kg)
$1.82 FJD 3.98
$0.96 FJD 2.09
89.58%
Onion (1kg)
$1.74 FJD 3.80
$0.95 FJD 2.08
83.16%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.20 FJD 2.63
$0.92 FJD 2.02
30.43%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 FJD 3.57
$0.80 FJD 1.75
103.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.85 FJD 17.18
$9.42 FJD 20.63
-16.67%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.27 FJD 24.68
$5.55 FJD 12.14
103.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.24 FJD 4.90
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.61 FJD 5.72
-
🚌 Getting Around
Nadi
Lautoka
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.65 FJD 1.42
$0.70 FJD 1.53
-7.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$37.66 FJD 82.5
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.08 FJD 2.36
$0.64 FJD 1.39
68.75%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.41 FJD 0.90
$0.44 FJD 0.97
-6.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.83 FJD 10.58
$2.73 FJD 5.97
76.92%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.29 FJD 2.83
$1.34 FJD 2.93
-3.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.0K FJD 43.7K
$19.3K FJD 42.3K
3.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.3K FJD 53.1K
$22.4K FJD 49.1K
8.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nadi
Lautoka
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$55.8 FJD 122
$46.45 FJD 102
20.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.50 FJD 33.93
$12.98 FJD 28.43
19.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.18 FJD 44.20
$23.91 FJD 52.4
-15.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nadi
Lautoka
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$38.24 FJD 83.7
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.66 FJD 10.21
$3.48 FJD 7.61
33.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nadi
Lautoka
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$219 FJD 480
$230 FJD 503
-4.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,935 FJD 8,617
$14.0K FJD 30.6K
-71.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nadi
Lautoka
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.12 FJD 63.8
$17.68 FJD 38.73
64.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.08 FJD 98.7
$17.50 FJD 38.32
157.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$58.2 FJD 128
$66.1 FJD 145
-11.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$66.1 FJD 145
$60.3 FJD 132
9.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nadi
Lautoka
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$880 FJD 1,927
$354 FJD 776
148.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$480 FJD 1,051
$133 FJD 292
260.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,551 FJD 3,397
$856 FJD 1,874
81.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,038 FJD 2,273
$393 FJD 862
163.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$712 FJD 1,559
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$540 FJD 1,182
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nadi
Lautoka
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,115 FJD 2,443
$712 FJD 1,560
56.61%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.17
7
-11.86%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Nadi: May 30, 2026

Last update for Lautoka: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $880 in Nadi and $354 in Lautoka. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Nadi pays 57% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $27.00 in Nadi vs $45.00 in Lautoka for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $212 vs $221 per month, with Nadi cheaper across the board.

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
Nadi vs Lautoka: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Nadi and Lautoka?
Nadi and Lautoka differ by about 52% in total monthly costs ($1,062 vs $697 including rent). Lautoka is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Nadi or Lautoka?
Nadi pays 57% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Nadi and Lautoka?
Rent for a central apartment: $880 in Nadi versus $354 in Lautoka. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Nadi and Lautoka?
Childcare runs $219 in Nadi versus $230 in Lautoka. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Lautoka – a meal for two runs $45.00 versus $27.00 in Nadi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $697 in Lautoka versus $1,062 in Nadi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Lautoka but tight or insufficient in Nadi. The gap between the two cities makes Lautoka the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Nadi and Lautoka?
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.
Is Nadi or Lautoka safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Nadi and Lautoka are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Nadi or Lautoka?
Expats usually find Lautoka gentler on the wallet – expenses run 52% less than in Nadi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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