Cost of Living Comparison Between Vanuatu and Canada Cost 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
$11.39 VUV 1,325
$18.15 CA$25.56
-37.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.3 VUV 7,490
$72.8 CA$102
-11.57%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.58 VUV 1,115
$10.99 CA$15.48
-12.83%
Cappuccino
$5.10 VUV 594
$3.79 CA$5.34
34.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 VUV 248
$2.11 CA$2.97
0.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71 VUV 199
$1.75 CA$2.46
-2.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.51 VUV 525
$5.88 CA$8.28
-23.30%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.11 VUV 478
$5.80 CA$8.16
-29.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.45 VUV 285
$2.20 CA$3.10
11.36%
White Bread (500g)
$2.73 VUV 318
$2.67 CA$3.77
2.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.73 VUV 435
$3.81 CA$5.37
-2.10%
Eggs
$5.14 VUV 598
$3.46 CA$4.87
48.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$20.00 VUV 2,329
$11.71 CA$16.49
70.79%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.59 VUV 1,932
$12.24 CA$17.24
35.54%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.76 VUV 1,951
$15.03 CA$21.17
11.51%
Apples (1kg)
$4.71 VUV 549
$4.18 CA$5.89
12.68%
Banana (1kg)
$2.78 VUV 323
$1.45 CA$2.05
91.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.50 VUV 641
$3.78 CA$5.32
45.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.33 VUV 388
$4.18 CA$5.89
-20.33%
Potato (1kg)
$5.17 VUV 602
$2.65 CA$3.74
95.09%
Onion (1kg)
$2.82 VUV 328
$2.77 CA$3.91
1.81%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.51 VUV 292
$2.62 CA$3.69
-4.20%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.32 VUV 154
$1.86 CA$2.62
-29.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.56 VUV 1,113
$14.63 CA$20.61
-34.65%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.82 VUV 1,725
$13.33 CA$18.78
11.18%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.28 VUV 382
$3.06 CA$4.31
7.19%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93 VUV 341
$3.32 CA$4.67
-11.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.71 VUV 199
$2.52 CA$3.55
-32.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$68.1 VUV 7,929
$76.2 CA$107
-10.63%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.15 VUV 250
$3.49 CA$4.92
-38.40%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.81 VUV 94.9
$1.49 CA$2.09
-45.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.99 VUV 581
$28.20 CA$39.72
-82.30%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.94 VUV 226
$1.21 CA$1.70
60.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.0K VUV 2.7M
$24.6K CA$34.7K
-6.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5K VUV 4.5M
$20.6K CA$29.0K
87.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$545 VUV 63.5K
$153 CA$215
256.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.05 VUV 2,916
$45.74 CA$64.4
-45.23%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$232 VUV 27.0K
$63.9 CA$90.0
263.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$43.63 CA$61.5
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.11 VUV 1,992
$18.02 CA$25.38
-5.05%
Cinema Ticket
$12.77 VUV 1,486
$11.52 CA$16.23
10.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$626 VUV 72.8K
$810 CA$1,141
-22.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,974 VUV 811.8K
$11.9K CA$16.7K
-41.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.39 VUV 5,400
$56.0 CA$78.9
-17.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$68.0 VUV 7,910
$42.39 CA$59.7
60.30%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$88.8 CA$125
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$109 CA$154
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,896 VUV 220.7K
$1,368 CA$1,927
38.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,808 VUV 210.4K
$1,182 CA$1,666
52.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,414 VUV 397.4K
$2,128 CA$2,998
60.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,096 VUV 244.0K
$1,828 CA$2,574
14.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,075 VUV 707.2K
$4,580 CA$6,451
32.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,207 VUV 256.9K
$3,862 CA$5,441
-42.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vanuatu
Canada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$336 VUV 39.1K
$2,898 CA$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.

Vanuatu vs other spots: cost of living compared

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