Cost of living in Vanuatu compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 91% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Vanuatu is 91% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,350Vatu (¥1,651) | ¥1,027 | + 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,800Vatu (¥2,201) | ¥808 | + 173% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,271Vatu (¥1,554) | ¥613 | + 154% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 233Vatu (¥284) | ¥220 | + 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 612Vatu (¥749) | ¥323 | + 131% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 797Vatu (¥974) | ¥613 | + 59% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,500Vatu (¥1,834) | ¥1,107 | + 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 669Vatu (¥818) | ¥766 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 347Vatu (¥424) | ¥468 | - 9% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 655Vatu (¥801) | ¥304 | + 163% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,503Vatu (¥1,838) | ¥1,290 | + 43% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 760Vatu (¥929) | ¥218 | + 327% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 234Vatu (¥286) | ¥191 | + 49% | |
| Housing | + 49% | |||
| Housing in Vanuatu is 49% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | ¥365,082 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 100,000Vatu (¥122,282) | ¥197,136 | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 20,000Vatu (¥24,456) | ¥19,132 | + 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 80,000Vatu (¥97,825) | ¥174,888 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 60,000Vatu (¥73,369) | ¥112,259 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 80,000Vatu (¥97,825) | ¥12,528 | + 681% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 17,863Vatu (¥21,843) | ¥4,254 | + 414% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 53,977Vatu (¥66,004) | ¥74,559 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 22,000Vatu (¥26,902) | ¥25,414 | + 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,237Vatu (¥2,736) | ¥1,338 | + 104% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
| Clothes | - 20% | |||
| Clothes in Vanuatu is 20% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 4,000Vatu (¥4,891) | ¥8,708 | - 44% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,000Vatu (¥3,668) | ¥5,103 | - 28% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥9,892 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 15,000Vatu (¥18,342) | ¥12,189 | + 50% | |
| Transportation | + 21% | |||
| Transportation in Vanuatu is 21% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 3,500,000Vatu (¥4,279,861) | ¥3,079,890 | + 39% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 232Vatu (¥284) | ¥170 | + 67% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 8,400Vatu (¥10,272) | ¥9,221 | + 11% | |
| Personal Care | - 34% | |||
| Personal Care in Vanuatu is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 500Vatu (¥611) | ¥2,133 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 800Vatu (¥978) | ¥2,551 | - 62% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 5,477Vatu (¥6,698) | ¥6,000 | + 12% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 795Vatu (¥972) | ¥1,337 | - 27% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 438Vatu (¥535) | ¥930 | - 42% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 475Vatu (¥581) | ¥622 | - 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 421Vatu (¥514) | ¥224 | + 129% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 192Vatu (¥234) | ¥188 | + 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,500Vatu (¥1,834) | ¥4,604 | - 60% | |
| Entertainment | + 6% | |||
| Entertainment in Vanuatu is 6% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,200Vatu (¥3,913) | ¥4,908 | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 2,000Vatu (¥2,446) | ¥3,873 | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,500Vatu (¥4,280) | ¥7,212 | - 41% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 10,000Vatu (¥12,228) | ¥8,269 | + 48% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,348Vatu (¥1,649) | ¥1,244 | + 33% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 449Vatu (¥550) | ¥547 | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 500Vatu (¥611) | ¥674 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 79,000Vatu (¥96,603) | ¥51,659 | + 87% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 17Vatu (¥21) | ¥52 | - 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 15,000Vatu (¥18,342) | ¥9,530 | + 92% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,500Vatu (¥1,834) | ¥600 | + 206% | |
| TOTAL | + 35% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 473 prices entered by 106 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.223
JPY
/
VUV
Cost of living in Vanuatu is 35% more expensive than in Japan
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