Cost Of Living For a Family in Suva 2024

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Suva

Average monthly spending for families in Suva

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: FJD
2,700 7,800 50,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,200 $3,400 $22,000

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Suva?

Families in Suva spend around 7,800 FJD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 2,700 FJD or as high as 50,000 FJD. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Suva


Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Suva

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

4.8 FJD 9.7 FJD 16 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.2 $4.3 $7.2

Restaurant meal for one

17 FJD 25 FJD 51 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.5 $11 $23

Fine dining meal for one

34 FJD 51 FJD 200 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15 $23 $90

Cappuccino or latte

4 FJD 6.5 FJD 9.7 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.8 $2.9 $4.3

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

3.2 FJD 3.9 FJD 4.8 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.4 $1.7 $2.2

12 eggs

2.4 FJD 3.2 FJD 4.8 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.1 $1.4 $2.2

Fresh whole chicken

5.5 FJD 7.1 FJD 10 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.4 $3.2 $4.5

Pack of beef

6.5 FJD 9.7 FJD 19 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.9 $4.3 $8.6

Medium bag of rice

2.6 FJD 3.6 FJD 5.1 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $1.6 $2.2

Bag of tomatos

0.97 FJD 1.3 FJD 2.4 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.43 $0.57 $1.1

Bag of apples

1.7 FJD 2.3 FJD 3.7 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.77 $1 $1.7
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Suva


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

4.2 FJD 5.1 FJD 10 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.9 $2.3 $4.5

Average car full tank

24 FJD 32 FJD 65 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $14 $29

Average car 1-day rental

27 FJD 36 FJD 53 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $16 $24

Average car price

12,000 FJD 24,000 FJD 32,000 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5,400 $11,000 $14,000

Bus ticket one way

0.89 FJD 1.3 FJD 2.7 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.39 $0.59 $1.2

Car Service

36 FJD 53 FJD 110 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16 $24 $47
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Suva


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

140 FJD 390 FJD 2,500 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$60 $170 $1,100

Internet and cable

24 FJD 48 FJD 65 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $22 $29

Mobile phone charges

19 FJD 32 FJD 97 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.6 $14 $43

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

12 FJD 16 FJD 24 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.4 $7.2 $11

One month gym membership

43 FJD 53 FJD 110 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$19 $24 $47
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Suva


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

31 FJD 44 FJD 67 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$14 $20 $30

Woman dress

30 FJD 41 FJD 130 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$13 $18 $59

Woman shoes

28 FJD 38 FJD 89 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $17 $39

Men's shoes

24 FJD 30 FJD 59 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $13 $26

Men suit

27 FJD 33 FJD 180 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $15 $79

Regular t-shirt

13 FJD 18 FJD 53 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.9 $7.9 $24
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Suva


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

440 FJD 670 FJD 1,800 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$200 $300 $790

1-bedroom apartment

670 FJD 1,100 FJD 2,700 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $470 $1,200

2-bedroom apartment

890 FJD 1,300 FJD 3,600 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$390 $590 $1,600

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

89,000 FJD 130,000 FJD 270,000 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$39,000 $59,000 $120,000

1-bedroom apartment

110,000 FJD 180,000 FJD 670,000 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$47,000 $79,000 $300,000

2-bedroom apartment

180,000 FJD 530,000 FJD 1.1M FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$79,000 $240,000 $470,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Suva


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

480 FJD 610 FJD 810 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$220 $270 $360

Double Bed

320 FJD 480 FJD 610 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140 $220 $270

Single Bed

290 FJD 370 FJD 480 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$130 $170 $220

Living Room

540 FJD 690 FJD 2,400 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$240 $310 $1,100

Dining Table

240 FJD 320 FJD 610 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $140 $270

Sofa or Couch

320 FJD 440 FJD 970 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140 $200 $430
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Suva


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

320 FJD 480 FJD 970 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140 $220 $430

Fridge or Freezer

290 FJD 440 FJD 610 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$130 $200 $270

Washing Machine

370 FJD 540 FJD 970 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$170 $240 $430

Stove or Cooker

350 FJD 440 FJD 610 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150 $200 $270

Mobile Phone

400 FJD 480 FJD 690 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180 $220 $310

Laptop or Computer

440 FJD 540 FJD 970 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$200 $240 $430
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Suva

Family expenditure to income ratio in Suva

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Suva

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

96%

87% to 110%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in Suva spend around 96% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 87% of their income while some as high as 110%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in Suva

How do families spend their money in Suva?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost28%

28% of total expenses on average (23% to 38%)

LOW$390   870 FJD
AVERAGE$1,100   2,500 FJD
HIGH$7,200   16,000 FJD
Per Month

Families in Suva typically spend from 23% to 38% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 28% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 2,500 FJD with expenditure ranging from 870 FJD to 16,000 FJD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 8%)

LOW$60   140 FJD
AVERAGE$170   390 FJD
HIGH$1,100   2,500 FJD
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Suva ranges from 3% to 8% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 390 FJD with 140 FJD and 2,500 FJD being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW$120   270 FJD
AVERAGE$340   780 FJD
HIGH$2,200   5,000 FJD
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 270 FJD to 5,000 FJD in a month on commuting with 780 FJD being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 8%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost20%

20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)

LOW$220   490 FJD
AVERAGE$620   1,400 FJD
HIGH$4,000   9,100 FJD
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Suva is 1,400 FJD. The cost of groceries can range between 490 FJD to 9,100 FJD. Families spend on average about 20% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 13% and 26% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)

LOW$110   240 FJD
AVERAGE$340   780 FJD
HIGH$1,800   4,000 FJD
Per Month

Families in Suva allocate 6% to 15% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 240 FJD to 4,000 FJD with 780 FJD being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW$60   140 FJD
AVERAGE$170   390 FJD
HIGH$1,100   2,500 FJD
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 140 FJD to 2,500 FJD with 390 FJD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW$170   380 FJD
AVERAGE$480   1,100 FJD
HIGH$3,100   7,100 FJD
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 14% of the monthly expenditure of families with 7% and 22% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 1,100 FJD per month with 380 FJD being the minimum spent amount and 7,100 FJD being the maximum.

Other Expenses15%

15% of total expenses on average (8% to 20%)

LOW$96   220 FJD
AVERAGE$280   620 FJD
HIGH$1,800   4,000 FJD
Per Month
Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in Suva

What percentage of families in Suva are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
65%
Not Saving
36%

Almost 65% of surveyed families in Suva said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 36% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in Suva

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

12% 20% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

1,000 FJD
$450
2,900 FJD
$1,300
19,000 FJD
$8,400
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%37%
10% - 20%28%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%7%
40% - 50%6%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 12% to 32% of their monthly income to their savings, with 20% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 2,900 FJD with 1,000 FJD and 19,000 FJD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in Suva

Saving Challenges in Suva

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Suva. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans17%
Lack of Budgeting Skills11%
Impulsive Spending10%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment6%
Will do it later18%
Inflation11%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 17% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 10% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 18% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do families choose to put their savings in Suva

Typical saving choices for families in Suva

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold11%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings17%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks5%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in Suva

Affordable living in Suva

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Suva?


Yes
74%
No
26%

Around 74% of surveyed families think that living in Suva is affordable with proper budgeting while 26% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Suva

Low-cost alternatives in Suva

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options63%

Few low-cost options37%


Based on the survey, 63% of the families living in Suva have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 37% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Families

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked families of Suva whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes70%

No30%


Based on the survey, 30% of the families living in Suva said that they don't have an emergency fund while 70% said that they do.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in Suva

Financial Literacy in Fiji

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy62%


We asked family guardians and parents in Suva whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 38% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 62% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether families of Fiji have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 40% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 60% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance40%

Easily manages finances60%

Financial goals and targets of families living in Suva

Financial goals of families in Suva

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Suva, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund7%
Debt Reduction36%
Retirement Savings8%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing8%
Travel or Lifestyle9%
Healthcare Expenses10%
Financial Independence7%

Around 7% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 36% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 9% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 10% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in Suva

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Suva


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
34%
Debt Free
66%

According to the survey, 34% of the families in Suva have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 66% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Suva

Debt-to-income ratio in Suva

Debt to income ratio

31%

21% to 42%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 31% of a family's monthly income in Suva goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%14%
40% - 50%12%
30% - 40%14%
20% - 30%14%
10% - 20%16%
0% - 10%27%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Suva pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 14% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 14% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Suva

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage12%
Auto Loan20%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card26%
Personal Loan39%

12% of debtors in Suva confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 26% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 20% of people and personal loans rose at 39%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Suva.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Suva

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families of Suva how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never54%
Once a year23%
Twice a year12%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Suva

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Suva

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Suva

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

440 FJD 670 FJD 1,800 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$200 $300 $790

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

670 FJD 1,100 FJD 2,700 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $470 $1,200

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

890 FJD 1,300 FJD 3,600 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$390 $590 $1,600

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,100 FJD 1,800 FJD 4,800 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$470 $790 $2,200

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

2,100 FJD 5,300 FJD 11,000 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$950 $2,400 $4,700

Townhouse monthly rent cost

1,800 FJD 2,700 FJD 7,600 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$790 $1,200 $3,400

House monthly rent cost

2,100 FJD 5,300 FJD 11,000 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$950 $2,400 $4,700

Villa monthly rent cost

2,700 FJD 6,700 FJD 11,000 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,200 $3,000 $4,700

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Suva ranges between 440 FJD and 1,800 FJD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 670 FJD to 2,700 FJD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 890 FJD and 3,600 FJD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,100 FJD to 4,800 FJD. The average rent of a townhouse in Suva is around 2,700 FJD while house rental costs can be as high as 5,300 FJD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 2,700 FJD to 11,000 FJD per month.



Apartment and house prices in Suva

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

89,000 FJD 130,000 FJD 270,000 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$39,000 $59,000 $120,000

1-bedroom apartment price

110,000 FJD 180,000 FJD 670,000 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$47,000 $79,000 $300,000

2-bedroom apartment price

180,000 FJD 530,000 FJD 1.1M FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$79,000 $240,000 $470,000

3-bedroom apartment price

590,000 FJD 890,000 FJD 2.7M FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$260,000 $390,000 $1.2M

Townhouse price

760,000 FJD 1.8M FJD 6.7M FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$340,000 $790,000 $3M

House price

890,000 FJD 5.3M FJD 7.6M FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$390,000 $2.4M $3.4M

Villa price

1.1M FJD 5.9M FJD 8.9M FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$470,000 $2.6M $3.9M

The average price of a studio apartment in Suva can range from 89,000 FJD to 270,000 FJD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 110,000 FJD to 670,000 FJD. A villa can cost you 5.9M FJD on average with prices ranging from 1.1M FJD to 8.9M FJD.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Suva will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


45 x131 monthly income 234
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Suva can be x131 to x234 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x131 multiples of the average monthly salary in Suva.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


24% 35% of income 46%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Suva is around 35%. This means that people pay 35% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 24% to 46% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
33%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.2%
AVERAGE
3.2%
TO
4.2%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


7.8 FJD 100 FJD 1,000 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Suva

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Suva

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

140 FJD 390 FJD 2,500 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$60 $170 $1,100

Internet and cable cost

24 FJD 48 FJD 65 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $22 $29

Mobile phone bill and charges

19 FJD 32 FJD 97 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.6 $14 $43

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 390 FJD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 24 FJD to 65 FJD with 48 FJD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 32 FJD but can range between 19 FJD and 97 FJD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


2.2% 5.5% of income 9.9%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Suva is around 5.5%. This means that people pay 5.5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.2% to 9.9% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Suva

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Suva

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

4.8 FJD 9.7 FJD 16 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.2 $4.3 $7.2

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Suva is approximatly 9.7 FJD with meal cost ranging from 4.8 FJD to 16 FJD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

17 FJD 25 FJD 51 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.5 $11 $23

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 17 FJD and 51 FJD with 25 FJD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Suva.

Fine dining meal for one price

34 FJD 51 FJD 200 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15 $23 $90

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 34 FJD to 200 FJD with the average cost being 51 FJD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Suva.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

4 FJD 6.5 FJD 9.7 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.8 $2.9 $4.3

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Suva is around 6.5 FJD. Price ranges between 4 FJD and 9.7 FJD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

3.2 FJD 3.9 FJD 4.8 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.4 $1.7 $2.2

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Suva is 3.9 FJD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 4.8 FJD and the minimum being 3.2 FJD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

2.4 FJD 3.2 FJD 4.8 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.1 $1.4 $2.2

A dozen eggs costs around 3.2 FJD on average with 2.4 FJD and 4.8 FJD being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

5.5 FJD 7.1 FJD 10 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.4 $3.2 $4.5

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Suva is between 5.5 FJD and 10 FJD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 7.1 FJD.

Pack of beef price

6.5 FJD 9.7 FJD 19 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.9 $4.3 $8.6

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 9.7 FJD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

2.6 FJD 3.6 FJD 5.1 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $1.6 $2.2

A bag of rice in Suva costs around 3.6 FJD on average with prices rangeing between 2.6 FJD and 5.1 FJD depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

0.97 FJD 1.3 FJD 2.4 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.43 $0.57 $1.1

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 0.97 FJD to 2.4 FJD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

1.7 FJD 2.3 FJD 3.7 FJD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.77 $1 $1.7

A bag of apples costs 2.3 FJD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


20% 29% of income 35%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Suva is around 29%. This means that families spend 29% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 35% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 490 FJD to 9,100 FJD with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

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