Cost of Living in Vanuatu - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Vanuatu
Address: VU

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,083 (excluding rent), and $3,378 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,812 (excluding rent), and $5,143 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.15 VUV 1,344

$4.20 VUV 506

$12.93 VUV 1,558

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$63.9 VUV 7,698

$41.45 VUV 4,996

$99.5 VUV 12.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.79 VUV 1,180

$6.63 VUV 800

$12.93 VUV 1,558

Cappuccino

$5.12 VUV 617

$2.57 VUV 310

$10.04 VUV 1,210

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

$2.17 VUV 262

$1.36 VUV 164

$2.61 VUV 314

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.68 VUV 202

$1.23 VUV 148

$1.89 VUV 228

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.41 VUV 532

$3.15 VUV 380

$5.74 VUV 691

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.32 VUV 521

$3.34 VUV 402

$5.99 VUV 721

Milk (1 liter)

$2.44 VUV 294

$1.87 VUV 226

$3.24 VUV 390

White Bread (500g)

$2.75 VUV 331

$1.15 VUV 139

$4.53 VUV 545

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.68 VUV 443

$1.65 VUV 198

$4.95 VUV 597

Eggs

$5.22 VUV 629

$2.29 VUV 276

$6.38 VUV 769

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.09 VUV 2,421

$12.55 VUV 1,512

$25.10 VUV 3,025

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.13 VUV 2,065

$8.56 VUV 1,032

$25.70 VUV 3,097

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.75 VUV 2,018

$9.13 VUV 1,100

$20.73 VUV 2,499

Apples (1kg)

$4.65 VUV 560

$3.86 VUV 465

$5.33 VUV 642

Banana (1kg)

$2.74 VUV 330

$1.64 VUV 197

$4.10 VUV 494

Oranges (1kg)

$5.35 VUV 645

$4.13 VUV 498

$7.11 VUV 856

Tomato (1kg)

$3.36 VUV 404

$2.52 VUV 304

$4.19 VUV 505

Potato (1kg)

$5.23 VUV 631

$1.93 VUV 233

$9.44 VUV 1,137

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 VUV 339

$1.85 VUV 223

$4.09 VUV 493

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.56 VUV 309

$0.85 VUV 103

$4.27 VUV 514

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.39 VUV 167

$0.86 VUV 103

$4.29 VUV 517

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.58 VUV 1,154

$8.58 VUV 1,034

$16.66 VUV 2,007

Wine (Bottle)

$16.39 VUV 1,975

$12.29 VUV 1,481

$16.39 VUV 1,975

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.22 VUV 388

$2.09 VUV 252

$4.18 VUV 503

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.03 VUV 365

$2.60 VUV 313

$4.32 VUV 521

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.67 VUV 201

$1.25 VUV 151

$2.09 VUV 252

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$68.5 VUV 8,249

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.14 VUV 258

$1.70 VUV 205

$2.57 VUV 309

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.82 VUV 99.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.15 VUV 620

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.87 VUV 225

$1.56 VUV 189

$2.32 VUV 280

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

$23.3K VUV 2.8M

$21.2K VUV 2.6M

$25.4K VUV 3.1M

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

$37.4K VUV 4.5M

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

$536 VUV 64.6K

$429 VUV 51.7K

$673 VUV 81.2K

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

$25.77 VUV 3,106

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$230 VUV 27.7K

$84.5 VUV 10.2K

$338 VUV 40.7K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.58 VUV 1,998

Cinema Ticket

$12.77 VUV 1,538

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

$613 VUV 73.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,798 VUV 819.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.67 VUV 5,624

$33.93 VUV 4,089

$59.4 VUV 7,157

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.8 VUV 8,054

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,901 VUV 229.1K

$1,115 VUV 134.3K

$3,001 VUV 361.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,774 VUV 213.7K

$1,333 VUV 160.7K

$2,917 VUV 351.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,401 VUV 409.9K

$1,651 VUV 199.0K

$6,351 VUV 765.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,047 VUV 246.7K

$1,491 VUV 179.7K

$4,186 VUV 504.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,749 VUV 451.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,292 VUV 276.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$312 VUV 37.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

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.