Cost of Living Comparison Between Vanuatu and FijiCost of Living Comparison Between Vanuatu and Fiji
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $3,227 per month in Vanuatu vs $503 in Fiji, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,156 per month in Vanuatu vs $861 in Fiji, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,085 per month in Vanuatu vs $1,219 in Fiji, rent included.
😐Vanuatu costs about 542% more than Fiji on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Vanuatu sits 141% above the global median, while Fiji is 62% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vanuatu
Fiji
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.00VUV 1,270
$4.37FJD 9.63
151.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.7VUV 7,350
$44.11FJD 97.2
44.39%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42VUV 1,087
$7.27FJD 16.03
29.57%
Cappuccino
$5.04VUV 582
$2.84FJD 6.27
77.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22VUV 256
$1.27FJD 2.80
74.80%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75VUV 202
$0.93FJD 2.06
88.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.45VUV 513
$2.86FJD 6.30
55.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25VUV 490
$3.46FJD 7.63
22.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vanuatu
Fiji
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.40VUV 277
$1.29FJD 2.85
86.05%
White Bread(500g)
$2.73VUV 315
$0.56FJD 1.23
387.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.83VUV 442
$1.11FJD 2.44
245.05%
Eggs
$5.25VUV 606
$3.21FJD 7.09
63.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$20.37VUV 2,351
$8.32FJD 18.35
144.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.76VUV 1,934
$7.59FJD 16.72
120.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.78VUV 1,937
$7.34FJD 16.19
128.61%
Apples(1kg)
$4.79VUV 553
$2.44FJD 5.38
96.31%
Banana(1kg)
$2.79VUV 322
$2.51FJD 5.53
11.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.47VUV 631
$3.29FJD 7.26
66.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.45VUV 398
$2.64FJD 5.82
30.68%
Potato(1kg)
$5.12VUV 591
$1.37FJD 3.02
273.72%
Onion(1kg)
$2.86VUV 330
$1.21FJD 2.66
136.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.46VUV 283
$1.03FJD 2.28
138.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.33VUV 154
$0.90FJD 1.98
47.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.46VUV 1,092
$9.95FJD 21.93
-4.92%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.39VUV 1,661
$8.44FJD 18.60
70.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.16VUV 364
$2.18FJD 4.82
44.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94VUV 339
$3.33FJD 7.35
-11.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Vanuatu
Fiji
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.73VUV 199
$0.70FJD 1.54
147.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.0VUV 7,843
$22.27FJD 49.10
205.16%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.05VUV 236
$0.85FJD 1.87
141.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.87VUV 101
$0.45FJD 0.99
93.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.12VUV 591
$4.87FJD 10.74
5.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.87VUV 215
$1.34FJD 2.96
39.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2KVUV 2.7M
$23.7KFJD 52.3K
-2.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.1KVUV 4.4M
$22.6KFJD 49.8K
68.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vanuatu
Fiji
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$544VUV 62.8K
$53.2FJD 117
923.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.63VUV 2,958
$13.10FJD 28.88
95.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$228VUV 26.3K
$23.29FJD 51.3
877.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vanuatu
Fiji
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$31.45FJD 69.3
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.78VUV 1,936
$6.74FJD 14.86
148.96%
Cinema Ticket
$12.41VUV 1,432
$4.56FJD 10.05
172.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vanuatu
Fiji
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$611VUV 70.5K
$172FJD 379
255.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,863VUV 792.1K
$11.6KFJD 25.6K
-40.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vanuatu
Fiji
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.56VUV 5,373
$24.87FJD 54.8
87.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$67.5VUV 7,788
$30.44FJD 67.1
121.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$67.4FJD 148
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$74.4FJD 164
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vanuatu
Fiji
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,845VUV 212.9K
$617FJD 1,361
198.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,758VUV 202.8K
$333FJD 735
427.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,380VUV 390.1K
$1,587FJD 3,499
112.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037VUV 235.1K
$955FJD 2,105
113.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,133VUV 707.8K
$1,248FJD 2,750
391.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,231VUV 257.4K
$841FJD 1,854
165.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vanuatu
Fiji
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$338VUV 39.1K
$881FJD 1,942
-61.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7
6.5
7.69%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Vanuatu: June 1, 2026
Last update for Fiji: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $941 in Vanuatu vs $276 in Fiji. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,882 in Port Vila and $582 in Suva.
💰Average salary: $496 in Vanuatu vs $751 in Fiji. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 241% higher in Vanuatu.
⭐Dining out costs 27% more in Vanuatu.
⭐Public transport is 386% more expensive in Vanuatu.
⭐Salaries are 51% higher in Fiji, giving Fiji stronger purchasing power.
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 Fiji: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fiji more expensive than Vanuatu?
Fiji is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 508% 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 Fiji, contributing to the overall 508% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Fiji or Vanuatu?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Fiji, but in Vanuatu it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Fiji or Vanuatu?
Fiji 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.