Cost of living in Vanuatu compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | + 24% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Vanuatu is 24% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,500Vatu (¥1,697) | ¥1,145 | + 48% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 514Vatu (¥582) | ¥719 | - 19% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 350Vatu (¥396) | ¥437 | - 9% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 212Vatu (¥240) | ¥211 | + 14% | |
12 eggs, large | 788Vatu (¥891) | ¥282 | + 216% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 333Vatu (¥377) | ¥815 | - 54% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,100Vatu (¥1,244) | ¥951 | + 31% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 500Vatu (¥566) | ¥984 | - 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 500Vatu (¥566) | ¥421 | + 34% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 392Vatu (¥443) | ¥268 | + 66% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,933Vatu (¥2,187) | ¥1,770 | + 24% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 500Vatu (¥566) | ¥217 | + 161% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 216Vatu (¥244) | ¥225 | + 9% | |
Housing | + 27% | |||
Housing in Vanuatu is 27% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | ¥194,768 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 67,259Vatu (¥76,088) | ¥126,641 | - 40% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,945Vatu (¥7,856) | ¥21,178 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 143,332Vatu (¥162,146) | ¥142,258 | + 14% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 57,452Vatu (¥64,994) | ¥80,836 | - 20% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 3,109Vatu (¥3,517) | ¥13,643 | - 74% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 12,991Vatu (¥14,696) | ¥3,988 | + 269% | |
40” flat screen tv | 30,000Vatu (¥33,938) | ¥59,521 | - 43% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 45,000Vatu (¥50,907) | ¥17,809 | + 186% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,700Vatu (¥3,054) | ¥665 | + 359% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 313Vatu (¥354) | ¥2,700 | - 87% | |
Clothes | - 29% | |||
Clothes in Vanuatu is 29% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 4,000Vatu (¥4,525) | ¥7,941 | - 43% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,000Vatu (¥3,394) | ¥4,162 | - 18% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥7,471 | - | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 5,763Vatu (¥6,519) | ¥15,388 | - 58% | |
Transportation | - 28% | |||
Transportation in Vanuatu is 28% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ¥2,576,380 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 175Vatu (¥198) | ¥161 | + 23% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 9,000Vatu (¥10,181) | ¥16,725 | - 39% | |
Personal Care | + 13% | |||
Personal Care in Vanuatu is 13% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 900Vatu (¥1,018) | ¥1,370 | - 26% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥1,955 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 5,723Vatu (¥6,474) | ¥3,523 | + 84% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 300Vatu (¥339) | ¥2,205 | - 85% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 563Vatu (¥636) | ¥648 | - 2% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 750Vatu (¥848) | ¥409 | + 107% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 300Vatu (¥339) | ¥143 | + 137% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 250Vatu (¥283) | ¥184 | + 54% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥3,583 | - | |
Entertainment | - 9% | |||
Entertainment in Vanuatu is 9% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,749Vatu (¥4,241) | ¥4,280 | - 1% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,200Vatu (¥1,358) | ¥3,593 | - 62% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,500Vatu (¥3,959) | ¥20,657 | - 81% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 8,357Vatu (¥9,454) | ¥6,242 | + 51% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,219Vatu (¥1,379) | ¥1,034 | + 33% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 355Vatu (¥402) | ¥533 | - 25% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 476Vatu (¥538) | ¥526 | + 2% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥58,872 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥41 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 6,000Vatu (¥6,788) | ¥11,178 | - 39% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,161Vatu (¥1,313) | ¥554 | + 137% | |
TOTAL | - 0% |

These prices were last updated on May 11, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.131
JPY
/
VUV
Cost of living in Vanuatu is about the same as in Japan
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