Cost of Living Comparison Between Vanuatu and CanadaCost of Living Comparison Between Vanuatu and Canada
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $3,224 per month in Vanuatu vs $2,319 in Canada, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $3,154 per month in Vanuatu vs $3,377 in Canada, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,083 per month in Vanuatu vs $4,434 in Canada, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Vanuatu is about 39% higher than in Canada on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Vanuatu and Canada are pricier than the global median – Vanuatu by 141%, Canada by 74%.
📏The regional cost range is wider in Canada ($1,301–$3,107) than in Vanuatu ($3,042–$3,406), so city choice matters more there.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.39VUV 1,325
$18.15CA$25.56
-37.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.3VUV 7,490
$72.8CA$102
-11.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.58VUV 1,115
$10.99CA$15.48
-12.83%
Cappuccino
$5.10VUV 594
$3.79CA$5.34
34.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13VUV 248
$2.11CA$2.97
0.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71VUV 199
$1.75CA$2.46
-2.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.51VUV 525
$5.88CA$8.28
-23.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.11VUV 478
$5.80CA$8.16
-29.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.45VUV 285
$2.20CA$3.10
11.36%
White Bread(500g)
$2.73VUV 318
$2.67CA$3.77
2.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.73VUV 435
$3.81CA$5.37
-2.10%
Eggs
$5.14VUV 598
$3.46CA$4.87
48.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$20.00VUV 2,329
$11.71CA$16.49
70.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.59VUV 1,932
$12.24CA$17.24
35.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.76VUV 1,951
$15.03CA$21.17
11.51%
Apples(1kg)
$4.71VUV 549
$4.18CA$5.89
12.68%
Banana(1kg)
$2.78VUV 323
$1.45CA$2.05
91.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.50VUV 641
$3.78CA$5.32
45.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.33VUV 388
$4.18CA$5.89
-20.33%
Potato(1kg)
$5.17VUV 602
$2.65CA$3.74
95.09%
Onion(1kg)
$2.82VUV 328
$2.77CA$3.91
1.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.51VUV 292
$2.62CA$3.69
-4.20%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.32VUV 154
$1.86CA$2.62
-29.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.56VUV 1,113
$14.63CA$20.61
-34.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.82VUV 1,725
$13.33CA$18.78
11.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.28VUV 382
$3.06CA$4.31
7.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93VUV 341
$3.32CA$4.67
-11.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.71VUV 199
$2.52CA$3.55
-32.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.1VUV 7,929
$76.2CA$107
-10.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.15VUV 250
$3.49CA$4.92
-38.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81VUV 94.9
$1.49CA$2.09
-45.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.99VUV 581
$28.20CA$39.72
-82.30%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.94VUV 226
$1.21CA$1.70
60.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.0KVUV 2.7M
$24.6KCA$34.7K
-6.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5KVUV 4.5M
$20.6KCA$29.0K
87.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$545VUV 63.5K
$153CA$215
256.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.05VUV 2,916
$45.74CA$64.4
-45.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$232VUV 27.0K
$63.9CA$90.0
263.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$43.63CA$61.5
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.11VUV 1,992
$18.02CA$25.38
-5.05%
Cinema Ticket
$12.77VUV 1,486
$11.52CA$16.23
10.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$626VUV 72.8K
$810CA$1,141
-22.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,974VUV 811.8K
$11.9KCA$16.7K
-41.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.39VUV 5,400
$56.0CA$78.9
-17.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$68.0VUV 7,910
$42.39CA$59.7
60.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$88.8CA$125
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$109CA$154
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,896VUV 220.7K
$1,368CA$1,927
38.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,808VUV 210.4K
$1,182CA$1,666
52.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,414VUV 397.4K
$2,128CA$2,998
60.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,096VUV 244.0K
$1,828CA$2,574
14.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,075VUV 707.2K
$4,580CA$6,451
32.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,207VUV 256.9K
$3,862CA$5,441
-42.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$336VUV 39.1K
$2,898CA$4,082
-88.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7
6.33
10.58%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Vanuatu: July 20, 2026
Last update for Canada: July 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $942 in Vanuatu vs $1,283 in Canada. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,885 in Port Vila and $1,473 in Ottawa.
💰Average salary: $490 in Vanuatu vs $2,910 in Canada. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 36% higher in Canada.
⭐Dining out costs 113% more in Canada.
⭐Public transport is 97% more expensive in Canada.
⭐Salaries are 494% higher in Canada, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Canada.
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
Vanuatu vs Canada: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada more expensive than Vanuatu?
Canada is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 46% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Vanuatu, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Vanuatu consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Canada, contributing to the overall 46% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Canada or in Vanuatu?
$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Canada, but in Vanuatu it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Canada or to Vanuatu?
Canada is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.