Last update: Oct 2026 300K

Cost of Living in Vanuatu

Name: Vanuatu
Address: VU

Across Vanuatu, living costs for one person average $3,218 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than half of the total. Other living expenses average about $46 a day.

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🇻🇺 Vanuatu

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Vanuatu

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Vanuatu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $3,218 per month with rent on average in Vanuatu.

$3,218 /mo

A couple spends around $4,312 per month with rent on average in Vanuatu.

$4,312 /mo

A family of three spends around $5,406 per month with rent on average in Vanuatu.

$5,406 /mo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.77 VUV 1,487

$8.51 VUV 991

$17.03 VUV 1,982

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$56.2 VUV 6,538

$42.14 VUV 4,906

$84.3 VUV 9,812

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.08 VUV 1,639

$11.60 VUV 1,350

$16.57 VUV 1,929

Cappuccino

$3.96 VUV 461

$2.88 VUV 335

$4.93 VUV 573

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

$2.30 VUV 267

$1.36 VUV 158

$2.98 VUV 347

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 VUV 276

$2.11 VUV 246

$2.54 VUV 296

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.18 VUV 603

$3.58 VUV 417

$6.90 VUV 804

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.28 VUV 848

$3.26 VUV 379

$7.71 VUV 898

Milk (1 liter)

$3.18 VUV 370

$2.60 VUV 303

$4.34 VUV 505

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 VUV 298

$0.60 VUV 70.1

$4.31 VUV 501

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.78 VUV 440

$1.66 VUV 194

$4.99 VUV 581

Eggs

$5.98 VUV 696

$5.03 VUV 585

$6.54 VUV 761

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.20 VUV 1,886

$12.79 VUV 1,488

$23.03 VUV 2,681

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.41 VUV 1,911

$8.49 VUV 988

$18.69 VUV 2,176

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.31 VUV 1,550

$9.18 VUV 1,069

$16.69 VUV 1,943

Apples (1kg)

$6.61 VUV 770

$4.21 VUV 490

$10.03 VUV 1,167

Banana (1kg)

$2.17 VUV 253

$1.31 VUV 152

$4.34 VUV 506

Oranges (1kg)

$3.92 VUV 456

$2.89 VUV 336

$4.78 VUV 556

Tomato (1kg)

$10.09 VUV 1,175

$2.59 VUV 302

$17.30 VUV 2,015

Potato (1kg)

$8.98 VUV 1,045

$4.27 VUV 497

$10.25 VUV 1,194

Onion (1kg)

$4.27 VUV 497

$1.96 VUV 229

$5.98 VUV 696

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.56 VUV 298

$0.85 VUV 98.9

$4.27 VUV 497

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.23 VUV 143

$0.86 VUV 100

$4.33 VUV 505

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.84 VUV 1,146

$9.32 VUV 1,085

$18.64 VUV 2,170

Wine (Bottle)

$12.46 VUV 1,450

$8.22 VUV 957

$16.60 VUV 1,933

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.85 VUV 331

$2.06 VUV 240

$4.13 VUV 481

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.11 VUV 362

$2.32 VUV 270

$4.29 VUV 500

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.25 VUV 146

$2.49 VUV 290

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$66.3 VUV 7,719

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.59 VUV 301

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.82 VUV 95.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.09 VUV 593

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.78 VUV 207

$1.59 VUV 185

$2.34 VUV 273

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

$23.5K VUV 2.7M

$21.4K VUV 2.5M

$25.7K VUV 3.0M

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

$38.7K VUV 4.5M

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

$622 VUV 72.4K

$498 VUV 57.9K

$705 VUV 82.1K

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

$22.78 VUV 2,652

$8.54 VUV 994

$25.62 VUV 2,983

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$360 VUV 41.9K

$288 VUV 33.6K

$502 VUV 58.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$68.8 VUV 8,006

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.82 VUV 1,958

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

$631 VUV 73.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,833 VUV 795.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.57 VUV 4,840

$40.29 VUV 4,691

$42.86 VUV 4,990

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.7 VUV 7,765

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.3 VUV 9,699

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 VUV 11.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,554 VUV 180.9K

$984 VUV 114.5K

$2,907 VUV 338.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,199 VUV 139.5K

$843 VUV 98.2K

$2,951 VUV 343.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,438 VUV 400.3K

$1,790 VUV 208.4K

$6,393 VUV 744.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,862 VUV 216.8K

$1,342 VUV 156.3K

$4,194 VUV 488.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,093 VUV 709.3K

$3,628 VUV 422.4K

$8,558 VUV 996.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,210 VUV 257.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$336 VUV 39.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.18

4.55

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

Last update: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Vanuatu $3,218

Accommodation & Living

$1.2K 37.3%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$1K 31.2%

Groceries & Markets

$485 15.1%

Eating Out

$251 7.8%

Clothing & Footwear

$131 4.1%

Getting Around

$78 2.4%

Sport & Entertainment

$69 * 2.1%

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Vanuatu is $493 – below average monthly costs of $3,218. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $481 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $55.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($3,218) is 136% above the global median of $1,361.

Average rent ($1,578) is 139% above the global median of $661.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($55) is 15% above the global median of $48.

Public transport ($66) is 100% above the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

01:22 1:22 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

300,019

💱 Currency

Vanuatu Vatu VUV Vt

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 VUV = 8.59 USD

1,000 VUV = 7.69 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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		$485	$3,399	$1,093	$1,093	241.89	25.14
2	Port Vila	44039	152	$1,391	$3,163	$2,901	$5,450	94.95	81.6

Vanuatu Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 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.

Vanuatu is expensive by global standards. High wages, strong regulation, and premium services all drive up prices, and even budget-conscious visitors will find it pricier than most alternatives abroad.