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 1,326

$4.16 VUV 499

$12.80 VUV 1,537

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$64.6 VUV 7,760

$41.93 VUV 5,036

$101 VUV 12.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.58 VUV 1,150

$6.49 VUV 780

$12.65 VUV 1,520

Cappuccino

$5.22 VUV 627

$2.62 VUV 315

$10.24 VUV 1,229

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

$2.21 VUV 266

$1.38 VUV 166

$2.66 VUV 319

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 VUV 209

$1.27 VUV 153

$1.96 VUV 235

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.43 VUV 532

$3.16 VUV 379

$5.75 VUV 691

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.14 VUV 497

$3.19 VUV 384

$5.73 VUV 688

Milk (1 liter)

$2.45 VUV 294

$1.88 VUV 226

$3.25 VUV 391

White Bread (500g)

$2.89 VUV 347

$1.21 VUV 146

$4.76 VUV 572

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.70 VUV 444

$1.66 VUV 199

$4.98 VUV 598

Eggs

$5.39 VUV 647

$2.36 VUV 284

$6.59 VUV 792

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.54 VUV 2,467

$12.83 VUV 1,541

$25.67 VUV 3,083

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.88 VUV 2,027

$8.43 VUV 1,013

$25.31 VUV 3,040

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.77 VUV 2,014

$9.14 VUV 1,097

$20.76 VUV 2,493

Apples (1kg)

$4.65 VUV 558

$3.86 VUV 463

$5.33 VUV 640

Banana (1kg)

$2.83 VUV 340

$1.69 VUV 203

$4.24 VUV 509

Oranges (1kg)

$5.35 VUV 642

$4.13 VUV 496

$7.10 VUV 853

Tomato (1kg)

$3.31 VUV 397

$2.48 VUV 298

$4.13 VUV 496

Potato (1kg)

$4.99 VUV 600

$1.85 VUV 222

$9.01 VUV 1,082

Onion (1kg)

$2.94 VUV 353

$1.93 VUV 232

$4.28 VUV 514

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.59 VUV 310

$0.86 VUV 103

$4.30 VUV 517

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.34 VUV 161

$0.83 VUV 99.3

$4.14 VUV 498

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.91 VUV 1,190

$8.87 VUV 1,066

$17.23 VUV 2,069

Wine (Bottle)

$16.17 VUV 1,942

$12.13 VUV 1,457

$16.17 VUV 1,942

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.22 VUV 387

$2.09 VUV 251

$4.17 VUV 501

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 VUV 359

$2.56 VUV 308

$4.26 VUV 512

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.69 VUV 203

$1.27 VUV 152

$2.13 VUV 255

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$67.0 VUV 8,052

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.15 VUV 259

$1.71 VUV 206

$2.58 VUV 310

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.86 VUV 104

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.99 VUV 599

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.91 VUV 230

$1.60 VUV 192

$2.37 VUV 285

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 64.6K

$431 VUV 51.7K

$675 VUV 81.1K

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

$24.81 VUV 2,980

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$226 VUV 27.1K

$83.1 VUV 9,984

$333 VUV 39.9K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.97 VUV 2,038

Cinema Ticket

$12.77 VUV 1,534

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

$624 VUV 75.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,923 VUV 831.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.92 VUV 5,635

$34.12 VUV 4,098

$59.7 VUV 7,171

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.7 VUV 8,008

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,869 VUV 224.5K

$1,096 VUV 131.7K

$2,952 VUV 354.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,766 VUV 212.0K

$1,327 VUV 159.4K

$2,904 VUV 348.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,413 VUV 409.9K

$1,657 VUV 199.0K

$6,373 VUV 765.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,068 VUV 248.4K

$1,506 VUV 180.9K

$4,230 VUV 508.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,791 VUV 455.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,294 VUV 275.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$315 VUV 37.9K

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

Vanuatu Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

251

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

106

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.