Cost Of Living For a Student in Vanuatu 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: VUV
Average monthly spending for students in Vanuatu
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Vanuatu?
Students in Vanuatu spend around 50,000 VUV per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 7,500 VUV or as high as 330,000 VUV. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Vanuatu
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
| 660 VUV | 990 VUV | 4,000 VUV |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 500 VUV | 660 VUV | 1,300 VUV |
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 250,000 VUV | 500,000 VUV | 660,000 VUV |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 660 VUV | 990 VUV | 2,000 VUV |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 300 VUV | 2,000 VUV | 13,000 VUV |
Internet and cable
| 500 VUV | 990 VUV | 1,300 VUV |
Mobile phone charges
| 400 VUV | 660 VUV | 2,000 VUV |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 800 VUV | 990 VUV | 2,000 VUV |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 590 VUV | 830 VUV | 1,200 VUV |
Woman dress
| 550 VUV | 770 VUV | 2,500 VUV |
Woman shoes
| 520 VUV | 710 VUV | 1,700 VUV |
Men's shoes
| 450 VUV | 550 VUV | 1,100 VUV |
Men suit
| 500 VUV | 620 VUV | 3,300 VUV |
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 8,300 VUV | 12,000 VUV | 33,000 VUV |
1-bedroom apartment
| 12,000 VUV | 20,000 VUV | 50,000 VUV |
2-bedroom apartment
| 17,000 VUV | 25,000 VUV | 66,000 VUV |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
| 3.3M VUV | 9.9M VUV | 20M VUV |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 9,900 VUV | 12,000 VUV | 17,000 VUV |
Double Bed
| 6,600 VUV | 9,900 VUV | 12,000 VUV |
Single Bed
| 5,900 VUV | 7,700 VUV | 9,900 VUV |
Living Room
| 11,000 VUV | 14,000 VUV | 50,000 VUV |
Dining Table
| 5,000 VUV | 6,600 VUV | 12,000 VUV |
Sofa or Couch
| 6,600 VUV | 9,000 VUV | 20,000 VUV |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 6,600 VUV | 9,900 VUV | 20,000 VUV |
Fridge or Freezer
| 5,900 VUV | 9,000 VUV | 12,000 VUV |
Washing Machine
| 7,700 VUV | 11,000 VUV | 20,000 VUV |
Stove or Cooker
| 7,100 VUV | 9,000 VUV | 12,000 VUV |
Mobile Phone
| 8,300 VUV | 9,900 VUV | 14,000 VUV |
Laptop or Computer
| 9,000 VUV | 11,000 VUV | 20,000 VUV |
How do students spend their money in Vanuatu?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $15 1,800 VUV |
| AVERAGE | $99 12,000 VUV |
| HIGH | $660 79,000 VUV |
| Per Month |
Students in Vanuatu typically spend from 13% to 24% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 18% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 12,000 VUV with expenditure ranging from 1,800 VUV to 79,000 VUV. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $2.5 300 VUV |
| AVERAGE | $16 2,000 VUV |
| HIGH | $110 13,000 VUV |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Vanuatu ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 2,000 VUV with 300 VUV and 13,000 VUV being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $4.4 530 VUV |
| AVERAGE | $29 3,500 VUV |
| HIGH | $190 23,000 VUV |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 530 VUV to 23,000 VUV in a month on commuting with 3,500 VUV being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $12 1,500 VUV |
| AVERAGE | $82 9,900 VUV |
| HIGH | $550 66,000 VUV |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Vanuatu is 9,900 VUV. The cost of groceries can range between 1,500 VUV to 66,000 VUV. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $3.7 450 VUV |
| AVERAGE | $25 3,000 VUV |
| HIGH | $160 20,000 VUV |
| Per Month |
Students in Vanuatu allocate 6% to 12% 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 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 450 VUV to 20,000 VUV with 3,000 VUV being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $3.1 380 VUV |
| AVERAGE | $21 2,500 VUV |
| HIGH | $140 17,000 VUV |
| 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 380 VUV to 17,000 VUV with 2,500 VUV being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $12 1,400 VUV |
| AVERAGE | $78 9,400 VUV |
| HIGH | $520 63,000 VUV |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 9,400 VUV per month with 1,400 VUV being the minimum spent amount and 63,000 VUV being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $9.3 1,100 VUV |
| AVERAGE | $62 7,400 VUV |
| HIGH | $410 50,000 VUV |
| Per Month |
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.
Affordable living in Vanuatu
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Vanuatu?
Around 53% of surveyed students think that living in Vanuatu is affordable with proper budgeting while 47% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Vanuatu
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 students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options54%
Few low-cost options46%
Based on the survey, 54% of the students living in Vanuatu have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 46% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
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 students of Vanuatu whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes49%
No51%
Based on the survey, 51% of the students living in Vanuatu said that they don't have an emergency fund while 49% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Vanuatu
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 Leteracy48%
We asked student guardians and parents in Vanuatu whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 52% 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 48% 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 students of Vanuatu have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 55% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 45% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance55%
Easily manages finances45%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Vanuatu
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Vanuatu
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 8,300 VUV | 12,000 VUV | 33,000 VUV |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 12,000 VUV | 20,000 VUV | 50,000 VUV |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 17,000 VUV | 25,000 VUV | 66,000 VUV |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 20,000 VUV | 33,000 VUV | 90,000 VUV |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 40,000 VUV | 99,000 VUV | 200,000 VUV |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 33,000 VUV | 50,000 VUV | 140,000 VUV |
House monthly rent cost
| 40,000 VUV | 99,000 VUV | 200,000 VUV |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 50,000 VUV | 120,000 VUV | 200,000 VUV |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Vanuatu ranges between 8,300 VUV and 33,000 VUV, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 12,000 VUV to 50,000 VUV. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 17,000 VUV and 66,000 VUV per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 20,000 VUV to 90,000 VUV. The average rent of a townhouse in Vanuatu is around 50,000 VUV while house rental costs can be as high as 99,000 VUV per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 50,000 VUV to 200,000 VUV per month.
Apartment and house prices in Vanuatu
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
| 3.3M VUV | 9.9M VUV | 20M VUV |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $92,000 | $140,000 | $410,000 |
Townhouse price
House price
Villa price
| 20M VUV | 110M VUV | 170M VUV |
The average price of a studio apartment in Vanuatu can range from 1.7M VUV to 5M VUV depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 2M VUV to 12M VUV. A villa can cost you 110M VUV on average with prices ranging from 20M VUV to 170M VUV.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Vanuatu 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
| 31 | x85 monthly income | 191 |
Property prices in Vanuatu can be x85 to x191 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x85 multiples of the average monthly salary in Vanuatu.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Vanuatu is around 29%. This means that people pay 29% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 39% 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
27% 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.
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.
| 150 VUV | 2,000 VUV | 20,000 VUV |
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 Vanuatu
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Vanuatu
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 300 VUV | 2,000 VUV | 13,000 VUV |
Internet and cable cost
| 500 VUV | 990 VUV | 1,300 VUV |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 400 VUV | 660 VUV | 2,000 VUV |
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 students is around 2,000 VUV. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 500 VUV to 1,300 VUV with 990 VUV being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 660 VUV but can range between 400 VUV and 2,000 VUV 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
The average utility-to-income ratio in Vanuatu is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Vanuatu
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Vanuatu
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Vanuatu is approximatly 200 VUV with meal cost ranging from 99 VUV to 330 VUV. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 330 VUV and 990 VUV with 500 VUV being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Vanuatu.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 660 VUV | 990 VUV | 4,000 VUV |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 660 VUV to 4,000 VUV with the average cost being 990 VUV for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Vanuatu.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Vanuatu is around 130 VUV. Price ranges between 83 VUV and 200 VUV depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Vanuatu is 80 VUV. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 99 VUV and the minimum being 66 VUV depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 66 VUV on average with 50 VUV and 99 VUV being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Vanuatu is between 110 VUV and 210 VUV depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 150 VUV.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 200 VUV. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Vanuatu costs around 73 VUV on average with prices rangeing between 53 VUV and 100 VUV depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 20 VUV to 50 VUV. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 46 VUV 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
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Vanuatu is around 27%. This means that students spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 1,500 VUV to 66,000 VUV with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
