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 1,347

$4.20 VUV 507

$12.93 VUV 1,561

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$63.9 VUV 7,714

$41.45 VUV 5,006

$99.5 VUV 12.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.79 VUV 1,182

$6.63 VUV 801

$12.93 VUV 1,562

Cappuccino

$5.12 VUV 619

$2.57 VUV 311

$10.04 VUV 1,212

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

$2.17 VUV 263

$1.36 VUV 164

$2.61 VUV 315

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.68 VUV 203

$1.23 VUV 149

$1.89 VUV 229

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.41 VUV 533

$3.15 VUV 380

$5.74 VUV 693

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.32 VUV 522

$3.34 VUV 403

$5.99 VUV 723

Milk (1 liter)

$2.44 VUV 294

$1.87 VUV 226

$3.24 VUV 391

White Bread (500g)

$2.75 VUV 332

$1.15 VUV 139

$4.53 VUV 547

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.68 VUV 444

$1.65 VUV 199

$4.95 VUV 598

Eggs

$5.22 VUV 630

$2.29 VUV 276

$6.38 VUV 771

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.09 VUV 2,426

$12.55 VUV 1,515

$25.10 VUV 3,031

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.13 VUV 2,069

$8.56 VUV 1,034

$25.70 VUV 3,103

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.75 VUV 2,022

$9.13 VUV 1,102

$20.73 VUV 2,504

Apples (1kg)

$4.65 VUV 561

$3.86 VUV 466

$5.33 VUV 643

Banana (1kg)

$2.74 VUV 330

$1.64 VUV 198

$4.10 VUV 495

Oranges (1kg)

$5.35 VUV 646

$4.13 VUV 499

$7.11 VUV 858

Tomato (1kg)

$3.36 VUV 405

$2.52 VUV 304

$4.19 VUV 506

Potato (1kg)

$5.23 VUV 632

$1.93 VUV 234

$9.44 VUV 1,140

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 VUV 339

$1.85 VUV 223

$4.09 VUV 494

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.56 VUV 310

$0.85 VUV 103

$4.27 VUV 515

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.39 VUV 167

$0.86 VUV 103

$4.29 VUV 518

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.58 VUV 1,157

$8.58 VUV 1,036

$16.66 VUV 2,012

Wine (Bottle)

$16.39 VUV 1,979

$12.29 VUV 1,485

$16.39 VUV 1,979

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.22 VUV 389

$2.09 VUV 253

$4.18 VUV 504

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.03 VUV 366

$2.60 VUV 314

$4.32 VUV 522

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.67 VUV 201

$1.25 VUV 151

$2.09 VUV 253

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$68.5 VUV 8,266

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.14 VUV 259

$1.70 VUV 206

$2.57 VUV 310

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.82 VUV 99.3

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.15 VUV 621

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.87 VUV 226

$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 64.7K

$429 VUV 51.8K

$673 VUV 81.3K

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

$25.77 VUV 3,112

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$230 VUV 27.7K

$84.5 VUV 10.2K

$338 VUV 40.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.58 VUV 2,002

Cinema Ticket

$12.77 VUV 1,542

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

$613 VUV 74.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,798 VUV 820.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.67 VUV 5,635

$33.93 VUV 4,098

$59.4 VUV 7,172

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.8 VUV 8,071

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,901 VUV 229.6K

$1,115 VUV 134.6K

$3,001 VUV 362.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,774 VUV 214.2K

$1,333 VUV 161.0K

$2,917 VUV 352.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,401 VUV 410.8K

$1,651 VUV 199.4K

$6,351 VUV 767.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,047 VUV 247.2K

$1,491 VUV 180.1K

$4,186 VUV 505.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,749 VUV 452.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,292 VUV 276.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$312 VUV 37.6K

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

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		$406	$3,355	$1,004	$1,062	272.24	22.61
2	Port Vila	44039	152	$970	$3,016	$2,411	$5,136	178.19	106.37

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.