πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,983 in Port Vila versus $2,540 in Dordrecht.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,058 in Port Vila versus $3,621 in Dordrecht.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,134 in Port Vila versus $4,701 in Dordrecht.
πLiving in Port Vila is roughly 17% more expensive than Dordrecht, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Port Vila123% above, Dordrecht90% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Port Vila
Dordrecht
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.14VUVΒ 1,286
$17.28β¬14.88
-35.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.5VUVΒ 7,448
$94.3β¬81.2
-31.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.83VUVΒ 1,135
$12.95β¬11.15
-24.09%
Cappuccino
$5.25VUVΒ 606
$3.86β¬3.32
36.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15VUVΒ 248
$3.39β¬2.92
-36.58%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74VUVΒ 200
$3.12β¬2.68
-44.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.42VUVΒ 510
$6.73β¬5.80
-34.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.23VUVΒ 488
$5.83β¬5.02
-27.44%
π Groceries & Markets
Port Vila
Dordrecht
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.23VUVΒ 258
$1.28β¬1.10
74.22%
White Bread(500g)
$2.50VUVΒ 289
$2.26β¬1.94
10.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.93VUVΒ 453
$3.15β¬2.71
24.76%
Eggs
$5.18VUVΒ 598
$4.60β¬3.96
12.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$20.04VUVΒ 2,313
$14.24β¬12.26
40.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$18.57VUVΒ 2,144
$15.33β¬13.20
21.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.19VUVΒ 2,101
$16.79β¬14.45
8.34%
Apples(1kg)
$4.66VUVΒ 538
$2.37β¬2.04
96.62%
Banana(1kg)
$2.05VUVΒ 237
$2.46β¬2.12
-16.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.03VUVΒ 696
$2.04β¬1.76
195.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47VUVΒ 285
$4.67β¬4.02
-47.11%
Potato(1kg)
$4.40VUVΒ 508
$2.03β¬1.75
116.75%
Onion(1kg)
$2.18VUVΒ 251
$2.10β¬1.81
3.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.57VUVΒ 297
$1.25β¬1.07
105.60%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.06VUVΒ 122
$0.85β¬0.73
24.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.46VUVΒ 1,092
$13.69β¬11.79
-30.90%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.44VUVΒ 1,437
$7.48β¬6.44
66.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.95VUVΒ 341
$1.50β¬1.29
96.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94VUVΒ 339
$2.61β¬2.25
12.64%
π Getting Around
Port Vila
Dordrecht
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.72VUVΒ 199
$4.66β¬4.01
-63.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.0VUVΒ 7,849
$93.0β¬80.1
-26.92%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.14VUVΒ 247
$3.79β¬3.26
-43.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82VUVΒ 95.2
$2.06β¬1.77
-60.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.10VUVΒ 589
$27.72β¬23.86
-81.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89VUVΒ 218
$2.30β¬1.98
-17.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1KVUVΒ 2.7M
$35.5Kβ¬30.6K
-34.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.6KVUVΒ 4.5M
$33.2Kβ¬28.6K
16.22%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port Vila
Dordrecht
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$531VUVΒ 61.3K
$238β¬205
123.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.37VUVΒ 2,929
$28.98β¬24.95
-12.46%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$227VUVΒ 26.3K
$54.3β¬46.73
318.85%
π Sport & Entertainment
Port Vila
Dordrecht
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$40.59β¬34.94
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.92VUVΒ 1,954
$24.81β¬21.36
-31.80%
Cinema Ticket
$12.71VUVΒ 1,467
$16.29β¬14.02
-21.98%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Port Vila
Dordrecht
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$624VUVΒ 72.1K
$2,192β¬1,887
-71.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,796VUVΒ 784.6K
$6,859β¬5,905
-0.93%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Port Vila
Dordrecht
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.92VUVΒ 5,302
$87.7β¬75.5
-47.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$68.2VUVΒ 7,874
$34.59β¬29.78
97.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$94.8β¬81.7
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$153β¬132
-
π Accommodation & Living
Port Vila
Dordrecht
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,882VUVΒ 217.2K
$1,607β¬1,383
17.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,392VUVΒ 160.7K
$1,225β¬1,054
13.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,353VUVΒ 387.1K
$2,284β¬1,966
46.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,083VUVΒ 240.5K
$1,705β¬1,468
22.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,040VUVΒ 697.4K
$4,355β¬3,749
38.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,291VUVΒ 264.5K
$4,020β¬3,460
-43.01%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Port Vila
Dordrecht
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$696VUVΒ 80.4K
$5,433β¬4,678
-87.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7
4.3
62.79%
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 Dordrecht: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,882 in Port Vila and $1,607 in Dordrecht. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Dordrecht pays 680% 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 $94.0 in Dordrecht. Groceries flip the comparison at $449 vs $347, with Dordrecht 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 Dordrecht: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dordrecht cheaper than Port Vila?
Dordrecht is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 17% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Port Vila or Dordrecht?
On paper, Dordrecht earns 680% 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 Dordrecht?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,882 in Port Vila versus $1,607 in Dordrecht. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Port Vila and Dordrecht?
Supermarket bills run roughly 29% higher in Port Vila. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Port Vila or Dordrecht?
Dining out is cheaper in Dordrecht β a meal for two runs $94.0 versus $65.0 in Port Vila. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Port Vila or Dordrecht?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Dordrecht is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is Port Vila or Dordrecht more family-friendly?
For families, Dordrecht is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Port Vila, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Port Vila or Dordrecht?
Safety-wise, Port Vila and Dordrecht 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 Dordrecht gentler on the wallet β expenses run 17% less than in Port Vila. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.