Cost of living in Vanuatu compared to China
Currency:
Food | + 158% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Vanuatu is 158% more expensive than in China | ||||
Vanuatu | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,350Vatu (80元) | 42元 | + 91% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,800Vatu (107元) | 39元 | + 178% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,271Vatu (76元) | 14元 | + 427% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 233Vatu (14元) | 14元 | - 1% | |
12 eggs, large | 612Vatu (36元) | 16元 | + 134% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 797Vatu (47元) | 10元 | + 359% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,500Vatu (89元) | 50元 | + 78% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 669Vatu (40元) | 16元 | + 145% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 347Vatu (21元) | 6元 | + 219% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 655Vatu (39元) | 6元 | + 509% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,503Vatu (89元) | 89元 | + 1% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 760Vatu (45元) | 8元 | + 447% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 234Vatu (14元) | 13元 | + 11% | |
Housing | + 97% | |||
Housing in Vanuatu is 97% more expensive than in China | ||||
Vanuatu | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | 12,713元 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 100,000Vatu (5,953元) | 5,917元 | + 1% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 20,000Vatu (1,191元) | 450元 | + 165% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 80,000Vatu (4,762元) | 6,564元 | - 27% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 60,000Vatu (3,572元) | 3,518元 | + 2% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 80,000Vatu (4,762元) | 296元 | + 1509% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 17,863Vatu (1,063元) | 100元 | + 967% | |
40” flat screen tv | 53,977Vatu (3,213元) | 1,460元 | + 120% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 22,000Vatu (1,310元) | 553元 | + 137% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,237Vatu (133元) | 43元 | + 210% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 55元 | - | |
Clothes | - 27% | |||
Clothes in Vanuatu is 27% cheaper than in China | ||||
Vanuatu | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 4,000Vatu (238元) | 418元 | - 43% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,000Vatu (179元) | 296元 | - 40% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | 553元 | - | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 15,000Vatu (893元) | 705元 | + 27% | |
Transportation | + 84% | |||
Transportation in Vanuatu is 84% more expensive than in China | ||||
Vanuatu | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 3,500,000Vatu (208,355元) | 148,726元 | + 40% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 232Vatu (14元) | 8元 | + 81% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 8,400Vatu (500元) | 228元 | + 119% | |
Personal Care | - 7% | |||
Personal Care in Vanuatu is 7% cheaper than in China | ||||
Vanuatu | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 500Vatu (30元) | 42元 | - 29% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 800Vatu (48元) | 59元 | - 20% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 5,477Vatu (326元) | 114元 | + 187% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 795Vatu (47元) | 67元 | - 29% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 438Vatu (26元) | 57元 | - 54% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 475Vatu (28元) | 25元 | + 13% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 421Vatu (25元) | 6元 | + 307% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 192Vatu (11元) | 13元 | - 9% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,500Vatu (89元) | 85元 | + 6% | |
Entertainment | + 53% | |||
Entertainment in Vanuatu is 53% more expensive than in China | ||||
Vanuatu | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,200Vatu (190元) | 178元 | + 7% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 2,000Vatu (119元) | 105元 | + 14% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,500Vatu (208元) | 1,179元 | - 82% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 10,000Vatu (595元) | 320元 | + 86% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,348Vatu (80元) | 81元 | - 1% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 449Vatu (27元) | 28元 | - 3% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 500Vatu (30元) | 19元 | + 56% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 79,000Vatu (4,703元) | 3,924元 | + 20% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 17Vatu (1.01元) | 0.34元 | + 202% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 15,000Vatu (893元) | 412元 | + 117% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,500Vatu (89元) | 25元 | + 260% | |
TOTAL | + 88% |

These prices were last updated on May 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.05953
CNY
/
VUV
Cost of living in Vanuatu is 88% more expensive than in China
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