Cost of living in Vanuatu compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 1% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Vanuatu is about the same as in United States | ||||
Vanuatu | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 1,500Vatu ($13) | $17 | - 24% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 514Vatu ($4.50) | $9 | - 51% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 350Vatu ($3.06) | $5.08 | - 40% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 212Vatu ($1.86) | $0.99 | + 88% | |
12 eggs, large | 788Vatu ($7) | $3.31 | + 108% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 333Vatu ($2.92) | $4.41 | - 34% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,100Vatu ($10) | $7 | + 40% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 500Vatu ($4.38) | $3.92 | + 12% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 500Vatu ($4.38) | $1.95 | + 125% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 392Vatu ($3.43) | $3.35 | + 2% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,933Vatu ($17) | $16 | + 8% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 500Vatu ($4.38) | $2.25 | + 94% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 216Vatu ($1.89) | $2.49 | - 24% | |
Housing | - 15% | |||
Housing in Vanuatu is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Vanuatu | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | $2,528 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 67,259Vatu ($589) | $1,959 | - 70% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,945Vatu ($61) | $202 | - 70% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 143,332Vatu ($1,254) | $1,772 | - 29% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 57,452Vatu ($503) | $1,345 | - 63% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 3,109Vatu ($27) | $138 | - 80% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 12,991Vatu ($114) | $57 | + 101% | |
40” flat screen tv | 30,000Vatu ($263) | $302 | - 13% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 45,000Vatu ($394) | $136 | + 190% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,700Vatu ($24) | $12 | + 96% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 313Vatu ($2.73) | $26 | - 90% | |
Clothes | - 39% | |||
Clothes in Vanuatu is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Vanuatu | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 4,000Vatu ($35) | $51 | - 32% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,000Vatu ($26) | $47 | - 44% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | $92 | - | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 5,763Vatu ($50) | $119 | - 58% | |
Transportation | + 6% | |||
Transportation in Vanuatu is 6% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Vanuatu | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $25,234 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 175Vatu ($1.53) | $1.05 | + 46% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 9,000Vatu ($79) | $76 | + 3% | |
Personal Care | - 25% | |||
Personal Care in Vanuatu is 25% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Vanuatu | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 900Vatu ($8) | $7 | + 6% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $19 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 5,723Vatu ($50) | $125 | - 60% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 300Vatu ($2.63) | $7 | - 64% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 563Vatu ($4.92) | $4.16 | + 18% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 750Vatu ($7) | $5.52 | + 19% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 300Vatu ($2.63) | $4.19 | - 37% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 250Vatu ($2.19) | $2.05 | + 7% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | $25 | - | |
Entertainment | - 20% | |||
Entertainment in Vanuatu is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Vanuatu | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,749Vatu ($33) | $49 | - 33% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,200Vatu ($11) | $26 | - 60% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,500Vatu ($31) | $192 | - 84% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 8,357Vatu ($73) | $83 | - 11% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,219Vatu ($11) | $13 | - 17% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 355Vatu ($3.11) | $5.17 | - 40% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 476Vatu ($4.16) | $6 | - 33% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $495 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.17 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 6,000Vatu ($53) | $54 | - 2% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,161Vatu ($10) | $9 | + 12% | |
TOTAL | - 9% |

These prices were last updated on May 15, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00875
USD
/
VUV
Cost of living in Vanuatu is 9% cheaper than in United States
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