Cost of Living in Port Vila - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,076 (excluding rent), and $3,016 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,438 (excluding rent), and $5,058 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.22 VUV 1,319

$4.22 VUV 496

$13.04 VUV 1,533

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$64.1 VUV 7,536

$41.55 VUV 4,884

$99.7 VUV 11.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.56 VUV 1,123

$6.49 VUV 763

$12.61 VUV 1,482

Cappuccino

$5.32 VUV 625

$2.67 VUV 314

$10.39 VUV 1,222

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

$2.15 VUV 252

$1.34 VUV 158

$2.58 VUV 304

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.67 VUV 196

$1.22 VUV 144

$1.89 VUV 223

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.49 VUV 527

$3.2 VUV 377

$5.82 VUV 684

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.15 VUV 488

$3.22 VUV 379

$5.77 VUV 678

Milk (1 liter)

$2.22 VUV 260

$1.4 VUV 165

$3.14 VUV 369

White Bread (500g)

$2.48 VUV 292

$1.19 VUV 140

$4.67 VUV 549

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.94 VUV 463

$1.67 VUV 196

$5.02 VUV 590

Eggs

$5.12 VUV 602

$2.28 VUV 268

$6.42 VUV 754

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.25 VUV 2,380

$12.65 VUV 1,488

$25.32 VUV 2,976

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.18 VUV 2,137

$11.57 VUV 1,359

$24.79 VUV 2,914

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.13 VUV 2,132

$9.09 VUV 1,069

$20.65 VUV 2,428

Apples (1kg)

$4.6 VUV 541

$3.88 VUV 456

$5.36 VUV 630

Banana (1kg)

$2.06 VUV 242

$1.64 VUV 193

$2.47 VUV 290

Oranges (1kg)

$6.22 VUV 732

$5.02 VUV 590

$7.44 VUV 874

Tomato (1kg)

$2.54 VUV 299

Potato (1kg)

$4.24 VUV 499

$1.84 VUV 217

$9 VUV 1,058

Onion (1kg)

$2.14 VUV 252

$1.92 VUV 225

$2.55 VUV 300

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 VUV 290

$0.82 VUV 96.4

$2.88 VUV 339

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 VUV 127

$0.85 VUV 99.7

$2.55 VUV 300

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.25 VUV 1,087

$8.66 VUV 1,018

$10.48 VUV 1,231

Wine (Bottle)

$14.8 VUV 1,740

$12.68 VUV 1,491

$16.92 VUV 1,989

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.03 VUV 357

$2.12 VUV 249

$4.23 VUV 497

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 VUV 350

$2.55 VUV 300

$3.4 VUV 400

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.65 VUV 194

$1.24 VUV 145

$2.07 VUV 243

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$68 VUV 7,990

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.16 VUV 253

$1.72 VUV 202

$2.58 VUV 304

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.82 VUV 95.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.03 VUV 591

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.88 VUV 220

$1.57 VUV 184

$2.33 VUV 274

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

$23.2K VUV 2.7M

$21.1K VUV 2.5M

$25.4K VUV 3M

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

$38.6K VUV 4.5M

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

$542 VUV 63.7K

$434 VUV 51K

$681 VUV 80K

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

$25.72 VUV 3,024

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$225 VUV 26.4K

$82.7 VUV 9,715

$331 VUV 38.9K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.75 VUV 1,969

Cinema Ticket

$12.84 VUV 1,510

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

$612 VUV 71.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,913 VUV 812.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.46 VUV 5,344

$33.06 VUV 3,886

$57.9 VUV 6,801

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$67.8 VUV 7,966

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,863 VUV 219K

$1,093 VUV 128.4K

$2,941 VUV 345.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,391 VUV 163.5K

$1,332 VUV 156.6K

$1,457 VUV 171.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,328 VUV 391.2K

$1,616 VUV 189.9K

$6,215 VUV 730.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,019 VUV 237.3K

$1,470 VUV 172.8K

$4,128 VUV 485.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,596 VUV 422.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,215 VUV 260.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$648 VUV 76.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

City tags:

Cost of Living in Port Vila - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, Port Vila offers a balanced mix of value and experience. Cost of Living in Port Vila reflects its remoteness and reliance on imports, so dining out and groceries might be pricier than you expect, but local markets and home cooking keep daily costs reasonable. Housing spans compact apartments to breezy villas, with options for short stays or longer rentals. Transport is straightforward: taxis, minibuses, and walkable neighborhoods help you limit expenditure, while internet access can vary by area. Seasonality has an impact on crowds and service hours, not basic needs. Tip: compare a few neighborhoods and ask hosts about utilities to avoid surprises.

Daily life in Port Vila revolves around a compact town feel and frequent breezes from the harbor. Housing search often centers on waterfront rentals and hillside apartments, with a mix of short-term options and longer leases. Food options range from bustling farmers markets to casual eateries; local produce and seafood help balance meals. Transport is accessible through taxis, buses, and walkability in central areas, with some neighborhoods offering coworking spaces or reliable coffee hubs. Port Vila living cost can be shaped by imported goods, which tend to be pricier, but choosing locally grown produce, cooking at home, and shopping at markets helps balance budgets. Tip: visit at different times of day to gauge noise, convenience, and Wi‑Fi reliability.

Quality of life here blends water access, outdoor activity, and a close-knit community. A practical budgeting approach centers on needs first: shelter, utilities, groceries, then discretionary spending. Expect some variation with seasons: peak tourist months can push service hours and traffic, while quieter periods offer more flexible arrangements and better deals on longer stays. Neighborhood fit depends on priorities: waterfront lanes for easy mornings by the sea, or inland zones with quicker market access and faster Wi-Fi. For longer stays, consider trial weeks in a couple of areas to observe daily rhythms and access to groceries, clinics, and co-working. Tip: build flexibility into your plan and stay adaptable.