MigrantoCost of living in Vanuatu
Average monthly spending, by standard of living and against other countries
Monthly cost
VUV 22,900
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
VUV 10,400richest 20%
VUV 54,300
Vanuatu earns much of its keep from visitors and from what grows on its own islands, and that mix keeps the cost of a life here on the gentler side. Fresh local food is easy to come by, even if anything imported or pitched at the tourist trade carries a steeper tag. Between the well-off and those just managing, the distance is there but not stark — a middling gap that neither closes up nor yawns wide.
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What it costs to live in Vanuatu
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Cost of living in Vanuatu
VUV 10,400/mo
vs VUV 95,500 in your country
Take-home
VUV 29,100
vs VUV 143,000 in your country
Potential savings
VUV 18,700
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Vanuatu compare
Vanuatu reads as one of the more affordable spots in Oceania, and that affordability holds up against the wider world too. A good part of why is simply that so much of daily life can be met locally — when food and the basics come from close to home rather than off a cargo ship, the price of getting by stays within reach.
Data source: household consumption 2022 (World Bank), price levels (income-anchored estimate), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Vanuatu?
A typical person in Vanuatu spends about VUV 22,900 a month — around VUV 275,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Vanuatu in US dollars?
The cost of living in Vanuatu is about $192 a month, or roughly $2,304 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Vanuatu?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about VUV 10,400 a month per person, a typical one around VUV 22,900, and a comfortable life around VUV 31,400. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in Vanuatu enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about VUV 22,900 a month, while the average take-home pay in Vanuatu is about VUV 64,900. For more on incomes, see salaries in Vanuatu.
Is Vanuatu an expensive country to live in?
No. Vanuatu is more expensive than 32% of countries worldwide and ranks 9th of 11 in Oceania by cost of living.
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Living in Vanuatu
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