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 1,335

$4.22 VUV 503

$12.99 VUV 1,548

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$63.8 VUV 7,596

$41.38 VUV 4,930

$99.3 VUV 11.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.63 VUV 1,147

$6.53 VUV 778

$12.72 VUV 1,515

Cappuccino

$5.04 VUV 601

$2.53 VUV 302

$9.88 VUV 1,177

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

$2.21 VUV 263

$1.38 VUV 165

$2.65 VUV 316

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.69 VUV 202

$1.24 VUV 148

$1.91 VUV 228

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.48 VUV 534

$3.20 VUV 381

$5.82 VUV 694

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.09 VUV 487

$3.16 VUV 376

$5.66 VUV 675

Milk (1 liter)

$2.44 VUV 291

$1.87 VUV 223

$3.24 VUV 386

White Bread (500g)

$2.80 VUV 333

$1.17 VUV 140

$4.61 VUV 549

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.80 VUV 452

$1.70 VUV 203

$5.11 VUV 609

Eggs

$5.23 VUV 623

$2.29 VUV 273

$6.39 VUV 762

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.13 VUV 2,399

$12.58 VUV 1,498

$25.16 VUV 2,998

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.87 VUV 2,010

$8.43 VUV 1,005

$25.30 VUV 3,015

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.77 VUV 1,998

$9.14 VUV 1,089

$20.77 VUV 2,474

Apples (1kg)

$4.65 VUV 554

$3.86 VUV 460

$5.34 VUV 636

Banana (1kg)

$2.89 VUV 344

$1.73 VUV 206

$4.32 VUV 515

Oranges (1kg)

$5.34 VUV 636

$4.12 VUV 491

$7.09 VUV 845

Tomato (1kg)

$3.27 VUV 390

$2.45 VUV 292

$4.08 VUV 487

Potato (1kg)

$5.24 VUV 624

$1.94 VUV 231

$9.45 VUV 1,126

Onion (1kg)

$2.97 VUV 354

$1.95 VUV 233

$4.33 VUV 516

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 VUV 294

$0.82 VUV 97.5

$4.10 VUV 489

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.35 VUV 161

$0.83 VUV 99.1

$4.17 VUV 497

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.89 VUV 1,178

$8.86 VUV 1,055

$17.19 VUV 2,049

Wine (Bottle)

$16.88 VUV 2,011

$12.66 VUV 1,508

$16.88 VUV 2,011

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.16 VUV 377

$2.05 VUV 244

$4.09 VUV 488

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 VUV 342

$2.46 VUV 293

$4.09 VUV 487

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.66 VUV 198

$1.25 VUV 149

$2.09 VUV 249

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$67.1 VUV 7,997

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.07 VUV 247

$1.65 VUV 197

$2.49 VUV 296

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.85 VUV 102

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.97 VUV 593

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.88 VUV 224

$1.57 VUV 187

$2.33 VUV 278

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 62.7K

$422 VUV 50.2K

$661 VUV 78.8K

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

$25.18 VUV 3,000

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$231 VUV 27.5K

$85.1 VUV 10.1K

$340 VUV 40.5K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.83 VUV 2,005

Cinema Ticket

$12.43 VUV 1,481

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

$631 VUV 75.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,770 VUV 806.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.16 VUV 5,619

$34.29 VUV 4,086

$60.0 VUV 7,151

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.3 VUV 7,902

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,865 VUV 222.2K

$1,094 VUV 130.3K

$2,944 VUV 350.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,795 VUV 213.9K

$1,350 VUV 160.8K

$2,953 VUV 351.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,322 VUV 395.8K

$1,613 VUV 192.2K

$6,203 VUV 739.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,091 VUV 249.1K

$1,523 VUV 181.4K

$4,275 VUV 509.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,112 VUV 728.2K

$3,769 VUV 449.1K

$8,454 VUV 1.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,264 VUV 269.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$313 VUV 37.3K

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.