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Cost of Living in Port Vila

Vanuatu · All prices in USD

#2 cheapest of 366 cities · Updated March 2026

Expense Port Vila vs Global Avg
Rent (1BR, city centre) $252 -53%
Rent (1BR, outside centre) $281 -21%
Meal (inexpensive restaurant) $2 -82%
Meal (mid-range, 2 people) $5 -90%
Coffee (cappuccino) $2 -60%
Monthly transport pass $14 -80%
Utilities (monthly) $43 -71%
Internet (monthly) $18 -55%

Budget Monthly Cost

$427

Outside centre, cheap meals, public transport

Comfortable Monthly Cost

$421

City centre, mid-range dining, coworking

Living Costs Explained

Port Vila ranks #2 out of 366 cities for affordability. At $421/month for a comfortable lifestyle, it's 64% cheaper than the global average of $1,180. This makes Port Vila an attractive base for nomads looking to stretch their income further.

Accommodation Costs

Rent is typically 40-50% of a nomad's monthly budget in Port Vila. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $252/month. Moving outside the centre saves approximately -$29/month, bringing rent to $281. Short-term furnished rentals are widely available and often include utilities and WiFi.

Food and Dining

Eating out in Port Vila is extremely affordable — cheaper than cooking at home in many cases. A cheap restaurant meal costs $2, while a mid-range dinner for two runs about $5. Coffee culture is incredibly cheap at $2 per cappuccino.

Transport and Utilities

Monthly public transport in Port Vila costs $14. The city scores 55/100 for walkability, so a transport pass is useful for daily commutes. Utilities (electricity, water, heating/cooling) average $43/month, and internet runs $18/month for a home connection.

Budget Breakdown by Lifestyle

Budget lifestyle ($427/mo): Rent outside centre, cook at home, cheap restaurants, public transport, work from cafes. Suitable for nomads focused on saving.

Comfortable lifestyle ($421/mo): City centre apartment, mix of home cooking and dining out, coworking membership ($44/mo), occasional activities and socialising. The sweet spot for most remote workers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Port Vila for digital nomads?
A comfortable monthly budget in Port Vila is approximately $421, including city centre rent ($252), mid-range dining, transport ($14), and utilities ($43). This is 64% below the global average.
How much is rent in Port Vila?
A 1-bedroom apartment in Port Vila city centre costs around $252/month. Outside the centre, expect to pay $281/month — a saving of -$29.
How much does food cost in Port Vila?
A cheap restaurant meal costs $2, a mid-range dinner for two around $5, and a cappuccino $2. Cooking at home can significantly reduce food costs.
Is Port Vila cheap or expensive for digital nomads?
Port Vila ranks #2 out of 366 cities by affordability. At $421/month, it's below the global average of $1,180, making it a very affordable destination.
What's the cheapest way to live in Port Vila?
Budget nomads can live in Port Vila for $427/month by renting outside the centre ($281), eating at cheap restaurants ($2/meal), using public transport ($14/month), and working from cafes instead of coworking spaces.

Cost estimates based on Numbeo and Expatistan median data for Port Vila, Vanuatu. Prices in USD, updated March 2026. Actual costs vary by neighbourhood, lifestyle, and exchange rates. Back to Port Vila overview.