What Is The Cost Of Living In Fiji Vs. USA?

An archipelago of over 300 islands, Fiji is an island country in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. In Fiji, rainforests, waterfalls, rugged landscapes, and secluded beaches are all a part of the daily culture. Moving to this island nation is a popular option among Americans looking to leave the United States. Fiji is very appealing due to its affordability, breathtaking scenery, phenomenal sea life, and its reputation of having some of the friendliest people on the planet. So, if you’re considering living on island time in Fiji, we don’t blame you.

Understanding the cost of living in Fiji can help you prepare and budget accordingly. Cost of living is a major factor that people often use to determine whether they want to live in one place versus another. So, when it comes to Fiji vs. the United States, how do these two countries stack up in terms of cost of living? Since cost of living varies quite a bit based on where you live in either country, it can be difficult to do an accurate comparison.

Depending on the lifestyle you choose, Fiji can be cheap or expensive. However, the consensus is that Fiji is about 36% cheaper than the United States. The cost of living index in Fiji is 44.93, while the cost of living index in the United States is 70.55. Estimated monthly costs for a family of four in Fiji is $2,382, compared to $4,750 in the U.S. Whereas, the estimated monthly costs for a single individual in Fiji is $1,052, but it’s $3,335 in the United States.

With this in mind, let’s take a deeper look at how the cost of living compares in Fiji vs. USA.

Generally speaking, there are three types of land available to buy in Fiji. The type of Fijian property that is most similar to the American system is called “freehold,” which involves you purchasing full rights for the land that you can then pass on to your children and grandchildren. Only about 8% of all the land in Fiji is freehold. The second category of real estate in Fiji is known as “native lease,” which is tribally owned but can be owned or rented for a specific amount of time.

The third type of land is called a “crown lease,” which is owned by the government but is available for short-term use. Home prices in Fiji vary based on where you live. For instance, you can enjoy a lifestyle (and price range) similar to New York City in Suva, Fiji’s capital. Or, settle in one of the smaller towns of Viti Levu or on one of the many remote islands and enjoy an even lower cost of living. Overall, you’re looking at the following property prices in Fiji, based on square footage:

In Fiji, it’s very common to find fully furnished rental units and rent estimations tend to be based on the Suva market. Overall, rent is typically more affordable outside of Suva, meaning you can expect to spend around 30% less for similar accommodations in Nadi. Additionally, rent in older buildings and sharehouses is usually lower than in more modern apartments or homes (advertised as ‘executive’ accommodations).

The following table outlines the average monthly rent for an apartment in Fiji vs. USA, based on proximity to the city center.

Though considered a tax haven, in Fiji, residents are liable to tax on taxable income that is accrued in or derived from the country itself or elsewhere. Non-residents, however, are only taxed on their Fijian income. In addition to income tax, social responsibility tax (SRT) and environment and climate adaptation levy (ECAL) are imposed on taxable income.

Though, there are no local taxes on income, gift taxes, estate or inheritance taxes, stamp duties, and property taxes at the national level in Fiji. The table below displays a more detailed look at the personal income tax rates for Fiji residents:

As food and groceries are expenses that people encounter on a daily basis, the overall grocery and food index is another factor that impacts the cost of living in a particular location. The grocery index in Fiji is 49.74, while the grocery index in the United States is 69.87.

This means that you’d enjoy a savings of about 28.8% on groceries if you live in Fiji instead of the United States. Refer to the following table for a more detailed look at the average prices of groceries in Fiji vs. USA.

Whether you choose to live in Fiji or the United States, you must also consider transportation costs in order to accurately calculate the overall cost of living in both countries. These costs include expenses like gas prices, vehicle purchase costs, bus fares, monthly transit fees, and other public transportation expenses.

Fuel, which is a major import item in Fiji, tends to be pretty expensive. In most cases, this results in an increase in everything from bus fares to airplane tickets. Though, surprisingly, expats find that public transportation, such as taxi rides and even monthly public transit passes, are relatively affordable.

Based on the following table, you’d pay about 60% more on transportation if you lived in the United States instead of Fiji.