Cost of Living in Vanuatu - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Vanuatu
Address: VU

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,250 (excluding rent), and $3,486 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,412 (excluding rent), and $5,155 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.07 VUV 1,326

$4.17 VUV 499

$12.84 VUV 1,537

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.7 VUV 7,866

$42.64 VUV 5,105

$102 VUV 12.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.42 VUV 1,128

$6.38 VUV 764

$12.44 VUV 1,490

Cappuccino

$5.01 VUV 600

$2.52 VUV 301

$9.82 VUV 1,176

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

$2.1 VUV 252

$1.31 VUV 157

$2.52 VUV 302

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.75 VUV 209

$1.28 VUV 153

$1.97 VUV 236

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.56 VUV 546

$3.26 VUV 390

$5.93 VUV 710

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.09 VUV 490

$3.16 VUV 378

$5.67 VUV 679

Milk (1 liter)

$2.34 VUV 280

$1.8 VUV 215

$3.11 VUV 372

White Bread (500g)

$2.87 VUV 344

$1.21 VUV 144

$4.73 VUV 566

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.64 VUV 436

$1.63 VUV 195

$4.9 VUV 587

Eggs

$5.4 VUV 646

$2.37 VUV 284

$6.6 VUV 791

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.57 VUV 2,463

$12.85 VUV 1,538

$25.7 VUV 3,078

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.75 VUV 2,005

$8.37 VUV 1,002

$25.12 VUV 3,007

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.98 VUV 2,033

$9.25 VUV 1,108

$21.02 VUV 2,517

Apples (1kg)

$4.88 VUV 584

$4.05 VUV 485

$5.59 VUV 670

Banana (1kg)

$2.85 VUV 341

$1.7 VUV 204

$4.27 VUV 511

Oranges (1kg)

$5.35 VUV 640

$4.13 VUV 495

$7.1 VUV 850

Tomato (1kg)

$3.44 VUV 412

$2.59 VUV 310

$4.3 VUV 515

Potato (1kg)

$5.07 VUV 607

$1.87 VUV 224

$9.14 VUV 1,094

Onion (1kg)

$2.84 VUV 340

$1.87 VUV 224

$4.14 VUV 495

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 VUV 294

$0.82 VUV 97.7

$4.09 VUV 490

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.37 VUV 164

$0.85 VUV 102

$4.25 VUV 509

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.76 VUV 1,168

$8.74 VUV 1,046

$16.96 VUV 2,031

Wine (Bottle)

$16.6 VUV 1,988

$12.45 VUV 1,491

$16.6 VUV 1,988

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.33 VUV 399

$2.17 VUV 259

$4.32 VUV 517

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 VUV 358

$2.56 VUV 307

$4.26 VUV 511

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.73 VUV 207

$1.3 VUV 155

$2.17 VUV 260

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$66.3 VUV 7,937

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.17 VUV 259

$1.72 VUV 206

$2.6 VUV 311

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.88 VUV 105

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.97 VUV 595

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.93 VUV 231

$1.62 VUV 193

$2.4 VUV 287

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

$23K VUV 2.8M

$20.9K VUV 2.5M

$25.1K VUV 3M

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

$38.6K VUV 4.6M

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

$547 VUV 65.5K

$438 VUV 52.5K

$687 VUV 82.3K

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

$25.13 VUV 3,009

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$226 VUV 27.1K

$83.3 VUV 9,977

$333 VUV 39.9K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.86 VUV 2,019

Cinema Ticket

$12.74 VUV 1,525

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

$628 VUV 75.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,733 VUV 806.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.94 VUV 5,620

$34.14 VUV 4,087

$59.7 VUV 7,153

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.8 VUV 8,002

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,869 VUV 223.8K

$1,096 VUV 131.3K

$2,952 VUV 353.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,823 VUV 218.3K

$1,371 VUV 164.1K

$2,999 VUV 359.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,415 VUV 408.9K

$1,658 VUV 198.5K

$6,376 VUV 763.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,054 VUV 245.9K

$1,496 VUV 179.1K

$4,199 VUV 502.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,767 VUV 451K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,261 VUV 270.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$305 VUV 36.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Vanuatu - Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll notice value is highly place- and style-dependent. Island differences, proximity to Port Vila, and your housing choice shape costs more than any national figure. Digital nomads who can blend local work rhythms with affordable, long-term housing often find the best balance, while travelers on short stays may feel the sting of imported goods. Local markets, shared accommodations, and seasonal produce lift value, especially if you plan around ferries and weather. The Cost of Living in Vanuatu shifts with where you live and how you live, not with a single price tag. Tip: Prioritize local options, flexible leases, and season-aware planning to maximize value.

In daily life, you’ll notice housing access varies by island and proximity to ports. Expect a mix of guesthouses, modest apartments, and family homes, with longer leases often negotiated through word-of-mouth. For groceries, local markets and fresh seafood are affordable and flavorful, while imported items come at a premium. Transport includes scooters, buses, ferries between islands, and occasional domestic flights; plan extra time for weather. Co-working spaces exist in Port Vila and some regional towns, easing remote work. Errands like banking and postal services run at slower tempos. Vanuatu living cost informs how you allocate weeks. Tip: Start with short-term stays to test neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life in Vanuatu hinges on pace, space, and community. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate housing, food, transport, utilities, and activities, then set flexible caps for imports and adventures. Plan for seasonality: the dry season often supports more outdoor activities, while the wet season can shift energy use and travel plans. For neighborhoods, Port Vila offers services, beaches, and coworking communities; outer islands deliver quieter life, stronger local networks, and easier access to nature. Focus on neighborhoods that fit your work needs, daily errands, and social circles; prioritize local markets and a reliable internet plan. Tip: anchor routines around weekly markets and predictable transport windows to reduce impulse buys.