For one person, living is cheaper in Suva: $946 a month against $2,192 in Napier, rent and utilities included – about $15,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Suva and in Napier actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $946 in Suva versus $2,192 in Napier.
Suva $946
Napier $2,192
Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,717 in Suva versus $3,179 in Napier.
Suva $1,717
Napier $3,179
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,489 in Suva versus $4,165 in Napier.
Suva $2,489
Napier $4,165
🌍
Living in Suva costs roughly 57% less than in Napier, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.
📊
The two cities straddle the global median: Suva is 30% below, Napier is 62% above.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Suva
Napier
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.93FJD 13.28
$18.79NZ$33.22
-68.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.78FJD 100
$92.3NZ$163
-51.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.51FJD 16.81
$9.46NZ$16.72
-20.61%
Cappuccino
$2.85FJD 6.37
$3.30NZ$5.84
-13.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50FJD 3.36
$2.19NZ$3.88
-31.51%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75FJD 1.67
$2.30NZ$4.07
-67.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56FJD 7.98
$6.54NZ$11.57
-45.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.57FJD 10.24
$5.71NZ$10.10
-19.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Suva
Napier
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.33FJD 2.97
$1.60NZ$2.83
-16.88%
White Bread(500g)
$0.57FJD 1.28
$1.46NZ$2.58
-60.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.13FJD 2.53
$1.46NZ$2.58
-22.60%
Eggs
$3.38FJD 7.57
$5.85NZ$10.35
-42.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.18FJD 22.78
$7.38NZ$13.05
37.94%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.34FJD 14.19
$8.40NZ$14.85
-24.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.96FJD 17.82
$12.47NZ$22.04
-36.17%
Apples(1kg)
$2.49FJD 5.58
$2.24NZ$3.96
11.16%
Banana(1kg)
$2.43FJD 5.43
$1.60NZ$2.83
51.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.55FJD 7.94
$3.07NZ$5.44
15.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.17FJD 7.11
$2.86NZ$5.06
10.84%
Potato(1kg)
$1.26FJD 2.83
$1.73NZ$3.06
-27.17%
Onion(1kg)
$1.06FJD 2.37
$2.53NZ$4.48
-58.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.16FJD 2.61
$1.91NZ$3.38
-39.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69FJD 1.54
$1.22NZ$2.16
-43.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.89FJD 22.15
$19.90NZ$35.20
-50.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.19FJD 16.10
$8.18NZ$14.47
-12.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.11FJD 4.74
$2.50NZ$4.43
-15.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39FJD 7.60
$2.42NZ$4.29
40.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Suva
Napier
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88FJD 1.97
$1.73NZ$3.05
-49.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.34FJD 50.0
$82.4NZ$146
-72.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.92FJD 2.05
$2.25NZ$3.99
-59.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.45FJD 1.01
$1.87NZ$3.30
-75.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.80FJD 19.70
$30.98NZ$54.8
-71.59%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43FJD 3.21
$1.57NZ$2.77
-8.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3KFJD 54.5K
$25.3KNZ$44.8K
-4.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7KFJD 55.3K
$23.5KNZ$41.6K
4.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Suva
Napier
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$46.26FJD 104
$186NZ$328
-75.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.75FJD 28.54
$34.40NZ$60.8
-62.94%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.21FJD 54.2
$48.56NZ$85.9
-50.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Suva
Napier
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.81FJD 82.4
$32.97NZ$58.3
11.65%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.31FJD 25.32
$10.51NZ$18.58
7.61%
Cinema Ticket
$3.42FJD 7.65
$8.31NZ$14.70
-58.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Suva
Napier
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$225FJD 503
$660NZ$1,167
-65.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.4KFJD 30.0K
$16.6KNZ$29.3K
-19.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Suva
Napier
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.29FJD 74.5
$106NZ$188
-68.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.64FJD 88.8
$53.2NZ$94.1
-25.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$68.6FJD 154
$104NZ$183
-33.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.9FJD 134
$119NZ$210
-49.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Suva
Napier
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$889FJD 1,992
$1,212NZ$2,143
-26.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$329FJD 736
$1,046NZ$1,849
-68.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,589FJD 5,797
$1,656NZ$2,928
56.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$999FJD 2,236
$1,493NZ$2,640
-33.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,310FJD 2,933
$4,715NZ$8,339
-72.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$820FJD 1,836
$3,238NZ$5,726
-74.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Suva
Napier
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$965FJD 2,160
$2,953NZ$5,223
-67.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.7
6.54
17.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Suva: October 10, 2026
Last update for Napier: October 11, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
Suva
$329 34.7%
Napier
$1K 47.7% ↑ 218%$717
🛒Groceries & Markets
Suva
$231 24.4%
Napier
$275 12.6% ↑ 19.2%$44
🍽Eating Out
Suva
$140 14.8%
Napier
$280 12.8% ↑ 100%$140
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Suva
$91 9.6%
Napier
$172 7.8% ↑ 89.6%$81
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Suva
$83 8.8%
Napier
$269 12.3% ↑ 223%$185
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Suva
$44 4.6%
Napier
$50 2.3% ↑ 13.6%$6
🚌Getting Around
Suva
$29 3.1%
Napier
$101 4.6% ↑ 248%$72
🏠Accommodation & Living
Suva
$999 40.1%
Napier
$1.5K 35.8% ↑ 49.4%$494
🛒Groceries & Markets
Suva
$537 21.6%
Napier
$644 15.5% ↑ 19.8%$106
🍽Eating Out
Suva
$497 20%
Napier
$1K 24.7% ↑ 107%$532
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Suva
$201 8.1%
Napier
$382 9.2% ↑ 89.6%$181
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Suva
$96 3.9%
Napier
$303 7.3% ↑ 216%$207
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Suva
$99 4%
Napier
$110 2.6% ↑ 11.2%$11
🚌Getting Around
Suva
$60 2.4%
Napier
$205 4.9% ↑ 243%$145
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $889 in Suva and $1,212 in Napier. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Napier pays 206% 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: $45.00 in Suva vs $92.0 in Napier for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $231 vs $275 per month, with Suva cheaper across the board.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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 Napier: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Napier cheaper than Suva?
Suva is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 132% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Suva or Napier?
On paper, salaries run 206% lower in Napier. 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 Suva and Napier?
Rent for a central apartment: $889 in Suva versus $1,212 in Napier. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Suva runs roughly 269% less than in Napier. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $225 in Suva versus $660 in Napier. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Suva or in Napier?
At $946 in Suva versus $2,192 in Napier, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Suva but tight or insufficient in Napier. The gap between the two cities makes Suva the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Suva or in Napier?
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, Suva or Napier?
Safety-wise, Suva and Napier 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 Suva gentler on the wallet – expenses run 132% less than in Napier. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.