Cost of Living Comparison Between Suva and Ba Cost of Living Comparison Between Suva and Ba

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $949 in Suva versus $92.0 in Ba.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,752 in Suva versus $204 in Ba.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,554 in Suva versus $316 in Ba.

Living in Suva is roughly 932% more expensive than in Ba, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Suva 31% lower, Ba 93% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.85 FJD 12.67

$1.99 FJD 4.30

193.97%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.43 FJD 98.4

$29.70 FJD 64.3

52.96%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.76 FJD 16.79

$6.05 FJD 13.10

28.26%

Cappuccino

$2.95 FJD 6.40

$2.02 FJD 4.37

46.04%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.54 FJD 3.33

$0.98 FJD 2.12

57.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 FJD 1.62

$1.03 FJD 2.22

-27.18%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.65 FJD 7.91

$3.97 FJD 8.60

-8.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.46 FJD 9.66

$3.57 FJD 7.73

24.93%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 FJD 2.81

White Bread (500g)

$0.57 FJD 1.24

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.10 FJD 2.38

Eggs

$3.38 FJD 7.33

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.29 FJD 22.29

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.27 FJD 13.58

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.90 FJD 17.11

Apples (1kg)

$2.59 FJD 5.61

Banana (1kg)

$2.52 FJD 5.46

Oranges (1kg)

$3.50 FJD 7.57

Tomato (1kg)

$3.24 FJD 7.01

Potato (1kg)

$1.29 FJD 2.79

Onion (1kg)

$1.10 FJD 2.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.23 FJD 2.67

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 FJD 1.61

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.05 FJD 21.75

Wine (Bottle)

$7.69 FJD 16.64

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.20 FJD 4.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.46 FJD 7.48

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 FJD 2.04

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.12 FJD 50.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.88 FJD 1.91

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.47 FJD 1.02

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.28 FJD 20.09

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.40 FJD 3.03

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.6K FJD 53.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.0K FJD 56.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$45.84 FJD 99.2

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.27 FJD 28.73

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.18 FJD 52.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.66 FJD 81.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.52 FJD 24.93

Cinema Ticket

$3.51 FJD 7.59

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$230 FJD 499

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.8K FJD 29.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.83 FJD 73.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.37 FJD 87.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.3 FJD 152

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$62.0 FJD 134

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$894 FJD 1,935

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$331 FJD 716

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,740 FJD 5,931

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,013 FJD 2,192

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,381 FJD 2,989

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$832 FJD 1,800

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$985 FJD 2,132

$386 FJD 835

155.34%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.7

92.50%

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

Last update for Suva: August 30, 2026

Last update for Ba: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Suva pays 155% 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 at a mid-range restaurant: $45.00 in Suva vs $30.00 in Ba for two.

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

Suva vs Ba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Ba wins on cost – living expenses run 932% lower than in Suva. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ba the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

Average pay runs 155% higher in Suva, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Dining out is cheaper in Ba – a meal for two runs $30.00 versus $45.00 in Suva. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $949 per month in Suva versus $92.0 in Ba – a 932% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $92.0 in Ba versus $949 in Suva, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ba but tight or insufficient in Suva. The gap between the two cities makes Ba the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

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.

Safety-wise, Suva and Ba are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Ba gentler on the wallet – expenses run 932% less than in Suva. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.