πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,983 in Port Vila versus $2,523 in Calgary.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,058 in Port Vila versus $3,652 in Calgary.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,134 in Port Vila versus $4,780 in Calgary.
πLiving in Port Vila is roughly 18% more expensive than Calgary, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Port Vila123% above, Calgary88% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Port Vila
Calgary
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.14VUVΒ 1,282
$18.59CA$25.74
-40.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.5VUVΒ 7,426
$70.0CA$97.0
-7.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.83VUVΒ 1,131
$10.96CA$15.17
-10.31%
Cappuccino
$5.25VUVΒ 604
$3.73CA$5.17
40.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15VUVΒ 247
$1.99CA$2.75
8.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74VUVΒ 200
$1.72CA$2.39
1.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.42VUVΒ 508
$5.01CA$6.94
-11.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.23VUVΒ 486
$6.50CA$9.01
-34.92%
π Groceries & Markets
Port Vila
Calgary
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.23VUVΒ 257
$2.22CA$3.08
0.45%
White Bread(500g)
$2.50VUVΒ 288
$2.67CA$3.69
-6.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.93VUVΒ 452
$3.26CA$4.52
20.55%
Eggs
$5.18VUVΒ 596
$3.35CA$4.64
54.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$20.04VUVΒ 2,306
$14.50CA$20.07
38.21%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$18.57VUVΒ 2,137
$12.95CA$17.93
43.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.19VUVΒ 2,094
$16.15CA$22.36
12.63%
Apples(1kg)
$4.66VUVΒ 536
$4.32CA$5.98
7.87%
Banana(1kg)
$2.05VUVΒ 236
$1.35CA$1.88
51.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.03VUVΒ 694
$3.83CA$5.30
57.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47VUVΒ 284
$4.18CA$5.79
-40.91%
Potato(1kg)
$4.40VUVΒ 506
$2.65CA$3.67
66.04%
Onion(1kg)
$2.18VUVΒ 251
$2.74CA$3.79
-20.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.57VUVΒ 296
$2.76CA$3.82
-6.88%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.06VUVΒ 122
$1.95CA$2.70
-45.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.46VUVΒ 1,089
$14.98CA$20.74
-36.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.44VUVΒ 1,432
$14.67CA$20.31
-15.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.95VUVΒ 340
$2.84CA$3.94
3.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94VUVΒ 338
$4.02CA$5.56
-26.87%
π Getting Around
Port Vila
Calgary
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.72VUVΒ 198
$2.80CA$3.88
-38.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.0VUVΒ 7,826
$86.2CA$119
-21.12%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.14VUVΒ 246
$3.60CA$4.99
-40.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82VUVΒ 94.9
$1.32CA$1.82
-37.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.10VUVΒ 587
$29.01CA$40.17
-82.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89VUVΒ 217
$1.12CA$1.55
68.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1KVUVΒ 2.7M
$24.9KCA$34.4K
-7.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.6KVUVΒ 4.4M
$22.0KCA$30.4K
75.44%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port Vila
Calgary
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$531VUVΒ 61.1K
$217CA$301
144.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.37VUVΒ 2,921
$41.55CA$57.5
-38.94%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$227VUVΒ 26.2K
$58.1CA$80.4
291.58%
π Sport & Entertainment
Port Vila
Calgary
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$54.7CA$75.8
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.92VUVΒ 1,948
$52.8CA$73.1
-67.97%
Cinema Ticket
$12.71VUVΒ 1,463
$12.77CA$17.68
-0.47%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Port Vila
Calgary
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$624VUVΒ 71.8K
$874CA$1,210
-28.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,796VUVΒ 782.2K
$15.9KCA$22.1K
-57.37%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Port Vila
Calgary
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.92VUVΒ 5,286
$58.8CA$81.5
-21.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$68.2VUVΒ 7,851
$46.47CA$64.4
46.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$87.2CA$121
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$109CA$151
-
π Accommodation & Living
Port Vila
Calgary
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,882VUVΒ 216.6K
$1,414CA$1,957
33.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,392VUVΒ 160.2K
$1,172CA$1,623
18.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,353VUVΒ 385.9K
$2,319CA$3,211
44.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,083VUVΒ 239.8K
$1,886CA$2,612
10.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,040VUVΒ 695.3K
$3,892CA$5,389
55.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,291VUVΒ 263.7K
$3,503CA$4,851
-34.62%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Port Vila
Calgary
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$696VUVΒ 80.2K
$3,149CA$4,360
-77.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7
5.71
22.59%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Port Vila: May 31, 2026
Last update for Calgary: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,882 in Port Vila and $1,414 in Calgary. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Calgary pays 352% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $65.0 in Port Vila vs $70.0 in Calgary. Groceries flip the comparison at $449 vs $397, 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
Port Vila vs Calgary: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calgary cheaper than Port Vila?
Calgary is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 18% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Port Vila or Calgary?
On paper, Calgary earns 352% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Port Vila and Calgary?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,882 in Port Vila versus $1,414 in Calgary. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Port Vila or Calgary?
Dining out is cheaper in Calgary β a meal for two runs $70.0 versus $65.0 in Port Vila. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Port Vila vs Calgary?
All in, you'll spend $2,983 per month in Port Vila versus $2,523 in Calgary β a 18% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Port Vila or Calgary?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Calgary is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is it better to live in Port Vila or Calgary?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Port Vila or Calgary?
Safety-wise, Port Vila and Calgary 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 β expenses run 18% less than in Port Vila. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.