Key Cost of Living Data
| Category | Index | Est. USD | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 56.0 | 44% cheaper than NYC | Moderate |
| Rent (1-bed city) | 22.0 | $705/mo/mo est. | Cheap |
| Groceries | 58.0 | $245/mo/mo est. | Moderate |
| Restaurants | 38.0 | $8/meal est. | Cheap |
| Local Purch. Power | 8.01 | ×1.79 expat stretch | |
| GNI per Capita | $4.1k | World Bank PPP | |
| Inflation Rate | 11.18% | Annual 2026 |
Housing & Rent
Rent in Vanuatu is well below the NYC baseline (Rent Index 22.0). A 1-bedroom apartment in a major city centre costs around $705/month, dropping to $460/month outside the centre. Three-bedroom apartments typically run $1,210+/month centrally.
| Type | USD / month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed, city centre | $705/mo | Capital city avg. |
| 1-bed, suburbs | $460/mo | Outside centre |
| 3-bed, city centre | $1,210/mo | Family / shared |
| Utilities (85m²) | $85/mo | Electricity, gas, water |
Food & Dining
Food in Vanuatu is budget-friendly. An inexpensive restaurant meal costs around $8/person; a mid-range dinner for two runs $60. Monthly grocery spending for one person averages $245.
| Item | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $8 | Per person |
| Meal for 2, mid-range | $30 | 3-course |
| Monthly groceries (single) | $245/mo | Estimated |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $1.40 | Local brand |
| Coffee / espresso | $1.96 | Local café |
Transport
A monthly public transport pass in Vanuatu costs roughly $75. Taxis and ride-hailing are affordable, making day-to-day mobility a minor budget item.
| Type | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass | $56/mo | Public transport |
| Taxi per km | $1.12/km | Avg. rate |
| Petrol (1L) | $0.90/L | Regular fuel |
| Internet speed | 3.0 Mbps | Slow |
Healthcare & Quality of Life
Key Insight
Vanuatu's CoL Index of 56.0 paired with a Local Purchasing Power Index of 8.0 signals limited purchasing power for local earners. Expats on foreign incomes benefit significantly here. Current inflation is elevated at 11.2%, which may affect budgets over time.
Our Verdict for Vanuatu
Vanuatu offers strong value for money at CoL 56.0 — significantly below NYC and most Western cities. Digital nomads and expats from high-cost countries benefit most from this gap.
Best for
- Digital nomads & remote workers on foreign income
- Budget-conscious expats maximising lifestyle quality
May not suit
- Fixed-income expats (inflation 11.2% may erode savings)
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