Cost of Living in Vanuatu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,111 (excluding rent), and $3,497 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,521 (excluding rent), and $5,099 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.38 VUV 1,338

$4.29 VUV 504

$13.2 VUV 1,551

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.9 VUV 7,741

$42.74 VUV 5,024

$103 VUV 12.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.49 VUV 1,115

$6.43 VUV 756

$12.54 VUV 1,474

Cappuccino

$5.07 VUV 596

$2.54 VUV 299

$9.93 VUV 1,167

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

$2.22 VUV 261

$1.39 VUV 163

$2.66 VUV 312

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.76 VUV 207

$1.29 VUV 151

$1.98 VUV 233

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.65 VUV 547

$3.32 VUV 390

$6.05 VUV 711

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.25 VUV 500

$3.28 VUV 386

$5.88 VUV 692

Milk (1 liter)

$2.36 VUV 277

$1.81 VUV 213

$3.13 VUV 368

White Bread (500g)

$2.88 VUV 338

$1.21 VUV 142

$4.74 VUV 557

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.72 VUV 437

$1.67 VUV 196

$5.01 VUV 589

Eggs

$5.4 VUV 635

$2.37 VUV 278

$6.61 VUV 776

Local Cheese (1kg)

$19.87 VUV 2,336

$12.41 VUV 1,459

$24.83 VUV 2,919

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.17 VUV 2,018

$8.58 VUV 1,009

$25.75 VUV 3,027

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.85 VUV 1,981

$9.18 VUV 1,080

$20.87 VUV 2,453

Apples (1kg)

$4.75 VUV 558

$3.94 VUV 464

$5.45 VUV 640

Banana (1kg)

$2.77 VUV 325

$1.65 VUV 194

$4.15 VUV 487

Oranges (1kg)

$5.31 VUV 624

$4.1 VUV 482

$7.05 VUV 828

Tomato (1kg)

$3.27 VUV 384

$2.45 VUV 289

$4.08 VUV 480

Potato (1kg)

$5.17 VUV 608

$1.91 VUV 225

$9.32 VUV 1,096

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 VUV 331

$1.85 VUV 217

$4.1 VUV 482

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.55 VUV 300

$0.85 VUV 99.7

$4.25 VUV 500

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.33 VUV 156

$0.82 VUV 96.6

$4.12 VUV 484

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.53 VUV 1,120

$8.54 VUV 1,004

$16.57 VUV 1,948

Wine (Bottle)

$16.56 VUV 1,946

$12.41 VUV 1,459

$16.56 VUV 1,946

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.23 VUV 380

$2.1 VUV 246

$4.18 VUV 492

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 VUV 349

$2.55 VUV 300

$4.24 VUV 499

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.64 VUV 193

$1.23 VUV 145

$2.06 VUV 243

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$68.6 VUV 8,063

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.12 VUV 250

$1.69 VUV 199

$2.55 VUV 299

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.8 VUV 94.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.98 VUV 586

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.85 VUV 217

$1.54 VUV 182

$2.29 VUV 269

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

$22.9K VUV 2.7M

$20.8K VUV 2.4M

$25K VUV 2.9M

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

$38.4K VUV 4.5M

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

$532 VUV 62.5K

$426 VUV 50.1K

$668 VUV 78.6K

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

$25.64 VUV 3,014

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$232 VUV 27.2K

$85.3 VUV 10K

$341 VUV 40.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.88 VUV 1,985

Cinema Ticket

$12.71 VUV 1,494

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

$635 VUV 74.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,895 VUV 810.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.91 VUV 5,396

$33.38 VUV 3,924

$58.4 VUV 6,868

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$68.7 VUV 8,071

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,830 VUV 215.1K

$1,073 VUV 126.2K

$2,890 VUV 339.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,813 VUV 213.1K

$1,363 VUV 160.2K

$2,981 VUV 350.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,391 VUV 398.6K

$1,646 VUV 193.5K

$6,332 VUV 744.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,054 VUV 241.4K

$1,496 VUV 175.8K

$4,200 VUV 493.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,679 VUV 432.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,217 VUV 260.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$311 VUV 36.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

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.