Cost of Living in Vanuatu - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Vanuatu
Address: VU

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $990 (excluding rent), and $3,466 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,747 (excluding rent), and $5,067 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.04 VUV 1,333

$4.16 VUV 502

$12.80 VUV 1,545

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$64.6 VUV 7,802

$41.93 VUV 5,064

$101 VUV 12.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.58 VUV 1,157

$6.49 VUV 784

$12.65 VUV 1,528

Cappuccino

$5.22 VUV 631

$2.62 VUV 317

$10.24 VUV 1,236

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

$2.21 VUV 267

$1.38 VUV 167

$2.66 VUV 321

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 VUV 210

$1.27 VUV 154

$1.96 VUV 237

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.43 VUV 534

$3.16 VUV 381

$5.75 VUV 695

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.14 VUV 500

$3.19 VUV 386

$5.73 VUV 692

Milk (1 liter)

$2.45 VUV 296

$1.88 VUV 227

$3.25 VUV 393

White Bread (500g)

$2.89 VUV 349

$1.21 VUV 147

$4.76 VUV 575

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.70 VUV 447

$1.66 VUV 200

$4.98 VUV 601

Eggs

$5.39 VUV 651

$2.36 VUV 285

$6.59 VUV 796

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.54 VUV 2,481

$12.83 VUV 1,549

$25.67 VUV 3,100

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.88 VUV 2,038

$8.43 VUV 1,018

$25.31 VUV 3,056

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.77 VUV 2,025

$9.14 VUV 1,103

$20.76 VUV 2,507

Apples (1kg)

$4.65 VUV 561

$3.86 VUV 466

$5.33 VUV 644

Banana (1kg)

$2.83 VUV 342

$1.69 VUV 204

$4.24 VUV 512

Oranges (1kg)

$5.35 VUV 646

$4.13 VUV 499

$7.10 VUV 858

Tomato (1kg)

$3.31 VUV 400

$2.48 VUV 300

$4.13 VUV 499

Potato (1kg)

$4.99 VUV 603

$1.85 VUV 223

$9.01 VUV 1,088

Onion (1kg)

$2.94 VUV 355

$1.93 VUV 233

$4.28 VUV 517

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.59 VUV 312

$0.86 VUV 104

$4.30 VUV 519

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.34 VUV 162

$0.83 VUV 99.8

$4.14 VUV 500

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.91 VUV 1,196

$8.87 VUV 1,072

$17.23 VUV 2,080

Wine (Bottle)

$16.17 VUV 1,953

$12.13 VUV 1,465

$16.17 VUV 1,953

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.22 VUV 389

$2.09 VUV 252

$4.17 VUV 504

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 VUV 361

$2.56 VUV 309

$4.26 VUV 515

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.69 VUV 204

$1.27 VUV 153

$2.13 VUV 257

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$67.0 VUV 8,096

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.15 VUV 260

$1.71 VUV 207

$2.58 VUV 312

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.86 VUV 104

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.99 VUV 602

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.91 VUV 231

$1.60 VUV 193

$2.37 VUV 287

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

$23.0K VUV 2.8M

$20.9K VUV 2.5M

$25.1K VUV 3.0M

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

$38.4K VUV 4.6M

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

$538 VUV 64.9K

$431 VUV 52.0K

$675 VUV 81.6K

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

$24.81 VUV 2,996

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$226 VUV 27.3K

$83.1 VUV 10.0K

$333 VUV 40.2K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.97 VUV 2,049

Cinema Ticket

$12.77 VUV 1,542

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

$624 VUV 75.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,923 VUV 836.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.92 VUV 5,666

$34.12 VUV 4,120

$59.7 VUV 7,211

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.7 VUV 8,052

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,869 VUV 225.8K

$1,096 VUV 132.4K

$2,952 VUV 356.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,766 VUV 213.2K

$1,327 VUV 160.3K

$2,904 VUV 350.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,413 VUV 412.1K

$1,657 VUV 200.1K

$6,373 VUV 769.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,068 VUV 249.8K

$1,506 VUV 181.9K

$4,230 VUV 510.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,791 VUV 457.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,294 VUV 277.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$315 VUV 38.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: January 19, 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		$512	$3,347	$1,194	$1,028	272.24	22.61
2	Port Vila	44039	152	$1,017	$3,024	$2,355	$5,025	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.