Cost of living in Vanuatu compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | + 33% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Vanuatu is 33% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,500Vatu (¥1,753) | ¥1,023 | + 71% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 514Vatu (¥601) | ¥714 | - 16% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,050Vatu (¥1,227) | ¥519 | + 136% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 240Vatu (¥280) | ¥198 | + 42% | |
12 eggs, large | 600Vatu (¥701) | ¥315 | + 123% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 500Vatu (¥584) | ¥629 | - 7% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,100Vatu (¥1,285) | ¥962 | + 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 350Vatu (¥409) | ¥902 | - 55% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 300Vatu (¥351) | ¥574 | - 39% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 327Vatu (¥382) | ¥285 | + 34% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,000Vatu (¥2,337) | ¥1,252 | + 87% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 500Vatu (¥584) | ¥179 | + 227% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 120Vatu (¥140) | ¥206 | - 32% | |
Housing | - 5% | |||
Housing in Vanuatu is 5% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | ¥306,878 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 67,259Vatu (¥78,593) | ¥171,772 | - 54% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,945Vatu (¥8,115) | ¥28,417 | - 71% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 143,332Vatu (¥167,485) | ¥157,603 | + 6% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 57,452Vatu (¥67,134) | ¥82,713 | - 19% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 3,109Vatu (¥3,633) | ¥24,082 | - 85% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 6,000Vatu (¥7,011) | ¥4,709 | + 49% | |
40” flat screen tv | 52,000Vatu (¥60,763) | ¥47,482 | + 28% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 45,000Vatu (¥52,583) | ¥32,093 | + 64% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,800Vatu (¥2,103) | ¥1,313 | + 60% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥1,878 | - | |
Clothes | - 28% | |||
Clothes in Vanuatu is 28% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 4,000Vatu (¥4,674) | ¥6,136 | - 24% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,000Vatu (¥3,506) | ¥5,199 | - 33% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥8,989 | - | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 5,763Vatu (¥6,734) | ¥13,588 | - 50% | |
Transportation | + 12% | |||
Transportation in Vanuatu is 12% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ¥2,700,660 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 275Vatu (¥321) | ¥165 | + 95% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 9,000Vatu (¥10,517) | ¥10,143 | + 4% | |
Personal Care | - 42% | |||
Personal Care in Vanuatu is 42% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 500Vatu (¥584) | ¥2,497 | - 77% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 800Vatu (¥935) | ¥1,967 | - 52% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 3,500Vatu (¥4,090) | ¥5,380 | - 24% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 300Vatu (¥351) | ¥650 | - 46% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 438Vatu (¥511) | ¥938 | - 45% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 500Vatu (¥584) | ¥702 | - 17% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 250Vatu (¥292) | ¥216 | + 35% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 250Vatu (¥292) | ¥216 | + 35% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,500Vatu (¥1,753) | ¥4,060 | - 57% | |
Entertainment | + 3% | |||
Entertainment in Vanuatu is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Vanuatu | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,200Vatu (¥3,739) | ¥4,579 | - 18% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,200Vatu (¥1,402) | ¥3,600 | - 61% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,500Vatu (¥4,090) | ¥4,000 | + 2% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 10,000Vatu (¥11,685) | ¥5,999 | + 95% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,200Vatu (¥1,402) | ¥954 | + 47% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 400Vatu (¥467) | ¥472 | - 1% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 500Vatu (¥584) | ¥583 | + 0% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥67,950 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 6,000Vatu (¥7,011) | ¥9,405 | - 25% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 900Vatu (¥1,052) | ¥592 | + 78% | |
TOTAL | + 4% |

These prices were last updated on June 07, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.169
JPY
/
VUV
Cost of living in Vanuatu is about the same as in Japan
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