Cost of Living in Vanuatu - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Vanuatu
Address: VU

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,106 (excluding rent), and $3,438 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,473 (excluding rent), and $5,068 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.04 VUV 1,316

$4.16 VUV 496

$12.79 VUV 1,526

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.4 VUV 7,796

$42.43 VUV 5,060

$102 VUV 12.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.42 VUV 1,123

$6.38 VUV 761

$12.44 VUV 1,484

Cappuccino

$5.06 VUV 604

$2.54 VUV 303

$9.92 VUV 1,183

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

$2.10 VUV 250

$1.31 VUV 156

$2.52 VUV 300

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.75 VUV 209

$1.28 VUV 153

$1.97 VUV 235

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.57 VUV 545

$3.26 VUV 389

$5.94 VUV 709

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.26 VUV 508

$3.29 VUV 392

$5.90 VUV 703

Milk (1 liter)

$2.48 VUV 296

$1.91 VUV 227

$3.30 VUV 393

White Bread (500g)

$2.74 VUV 327

$1.15 VUV 137

$4.52 VUV 539

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.78 VUV 451

$1.69 VUV 202

$5.09 VUV 607

Eggs

$5.16 VUV 616

$2.27 VUV 270

$6.32 VUV 753

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.12 VUV 2,400

$12.57 VUV 1,499

$25.15 VUV 2,999

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.98 VUV 2,025

$8.48 VUV 1,012

$25.46 VUV 3,036

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.71 VUV 1,992

$9.10 VUV 1,086

$20.68 VUV 2,467

Apples (1kg)

$4.86 VUV 579

$4.03 VUV 481

$5.57 VUV 664

Banana (1kg)

$2.75 VUV 328

$1.64 VUV 196

$4.12 VUV 491

Oranges (1kg)

$5.60 VUV 667

$4.32 VUV 515

$7.43 VUV 886

Tomato (1kg)

$3.35 VUV 399

$2.51 VUV 300

$4.18 VUV 499

Potato (1kg)

$5.16 VUV 616

$1.91 VUV 228

$9.31 VUV 1,111

Onion (1kg)

$2.93 VUV 349

$1.93 VUV 230

$4.27 VUV 509

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.50 VUV 298

$0.83 VUV 99.1

$4.16 VUV 497

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.39 VUV 165

$0.86 VUV 102

$4.29 VUV 512

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.42 VUV 1,123

$8.44 VUV 1,006

$16.38 VUV 1,953

Wine (Bottle)

$16.92 VUV 2,018

$12.69 VUV 1,513

$16.92 VUV 2,018

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.32 VUV 396

$2.16 VUV 257

$4.30 VUV 513

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 VUV 354

$2.55 VUV 304

$4.24 VUV 505

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.64 VUV 196

$1.23 VUV 147

$2.06 VUV 246

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$66.3 VUV 7,904

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.15 VUV 257

$1.72 VUV 205

$2.58 VUV 308

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.83 VUV 98.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.93 VUV 588

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.93 VUV 230

$1.62 VUV 193

$2.40 VUV 286

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

$22.9K VUV 2.7M

$20.8K VUV 2.5M

$24.9K VUV 3.0M

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

$38.2K VUV 4.6M

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

$547 VUV 65.2K

$438 VUV 52.2K

$687 VUV 81.9K

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

$25.70 VUV 3,065

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$233 VUV 27.8K

$85.8 VUV 10.2K

$343 VUV 40.9K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.78 VUV 2,001

Cinema Ticket

$12.72 VUV 1,517

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

$625 VUV 74.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,721 VUV 801.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.26 VUV 5,636

$34.36 VUV 4,098

$60.1 VUV 7,172

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.9 VUV 7,978

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,840 VUV 219.4K

$1,079 VUV 128.7K

$2,905 VUV 346.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,791 VUV 213.5K

$1,346 VUV 160.6K

$2,945 VUV 351.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,334 VUV 397.6K

$1,618 VUV 193.0K

$6,225 VUV 742.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,040 VUV 243.3K

$1,486 VUV 177.2K

$4,171 VUV 497.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,047 VUV 721.2K

$3,801 VUV 453.3K

$8,293 VUV 989.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,354 VUV 280.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$308 VUV 36.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: February 10, 2026

By City in Vanuatu

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Norsup	1200		$510	$3,394	$903	$1,042	272.24	22.61
2	Port Vila	44039	152	$1,205	$3,091	$2,530	$5,065	178.19	106.37

Vanuatu Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.