Cost of Living in Vanuatu - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Vanuatu
Address: VU

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,126 (excluding rent), and $3,469 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,484 (excluding rent), and $5,150 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.21 VUV 1,329

$4.22 VUV 501

$12.99 VUV 1,541

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$63.8 VUV 7,563

$41.38 VUV 4,909

$99.3 VUV 11.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.63 VUV 1,142

$6.53 VUV 774

$12.72 VUV 1,509

Cappuccino

$5.04 VUV 598

$2.53 VUV 300

$9.88 VUV 1,172

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

$2.21 VUV 262

$1.38 VUV 164

$2.65 VUV 314

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.69 VUV 201

$1.24 VUV 147

$1.91 VUV 227

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.48 VUV 531

$3.20 VUV 379

$5.82 VUV 691

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.09 VUV 485

$3.16 VUV 374

$5.66 VUV 672

Milk (1 liter)

$2.44 VUV 290

$1.87 VUV 222

$3.24 VUV 385

White Bread (500g)

$2.80 VUV 332

$1.17 VUV 139

$4.61 VUV 546

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.80 VUV 450

$1.70 VUV 202

$5.11 VUV 606

Eggs

$5.23 VUV 620

$2.29 VUV 272

$6.39 VUV 758

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.13 VUV 2,388

$12.58 VUV 1,492

$25.16 VUV 2,985

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.87 VUV 2,002

$8.43 VUV 1,000

$25.30 VUV 3,002

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.77 VUV 1,990

$9.14 VUV 1,084

$20.77 VUV 2,463

Apples (1kg)

$4.65 VUV 552

$3.86 VUV 458

$5.34 VUV 633

Banana (1kg)

$2.89 VUV 342

$1.73 VUV 205

$4.32 VUV 513

Oranges (1kg)

$5.34 VUV 633

$4.12 VUV 489

$7.09 VUV 841

Tomato (1kg)

$3.27 VUV 388

$2.45 VUV 291

$4.08 VUV 485

Potato (1kg)

$5.24 VUV 622

$1.94 VUV 230

$9.45 VUV 1,121

Onion (1kg)

$2.97 VUV 352

$1.95 VUV 232

$4.33 VUV 513

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 VUV 292

$0.82 VUV 97.1

$4.10 VUV 486

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.35 VUV 160

$0.83 VUV 98.7

$4.17 VUV 495

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.89 VUV 1,173

$8.86 VUV 1,051

$17.19 VUV 2,040

Wine (Bottle)

$16.88 VUV 2,002

$12.66 VUV 1,501

$16.88 VUV 2,002

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.16 VUV 375

$2.05 VUV 243

$4.09 VUV 486

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 VUV 340

$2.46 VUV 292

$4.09 VUV 485

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.66 VUV 197

$1.25 VUV 148

$2.09 VUV 248

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$67.1 VUV 7,962

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.07 VUV 246

$1.65 VUV 196

$2.49 VUV 295

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.85 VUV 101

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.97 VUV 590

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.88 VUV 223

$1.57 VUV 186

$2.33 VUV 277

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

$23.4K VUV 2.8M

$21.2K VUV 2.5M

$25.5K VUV 3.0M

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

$38.2K VUV 4.5M

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

$526 VUV 62.4K

$422 VUV 50.0K

$661 VUV 78.4K

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

$25.18 VUV 2,987

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$231 VUV 27.4K

$85.1 VUV 10.1K

$340 VUV 40.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.83 VUV 1,996

Cinema Ticket

$12.43 VUV 1,474

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

$631 VUV 74.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,770 VUV 803.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.16 VUV 5,594

$34.29 VUV 4,068

$60.0 VUV 7,119

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.3 VUV 7,867

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,865 VUV 221.2K

$1,094 VUV 129.7K

$2,944 VUV 349.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,795 VUV 213.0K

$1,350 VUV 160.1K

$2,953 VUV 350.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,322 VUV 394.1K

$1,613 VUV 191.3K

$6,203 VUV 735.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,091 VUV 248.0K

$1,523 VUV 180.6K

$4,275 VUV 507.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,112 VUV 725.0K

$3,769 VUV 447.2K

$8,454 VUV 1.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,264 VUV 268.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$313 VUV 37.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: March 2, 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		$467	$3,406	$1,153	$1,062	272.24	22.61
2	Port Vila	44039	152	$971	$3,075	$2,340	$5,005	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.