The Cost of Living in Nauru in 2025

As one of the world’s smallest and under-the-radar countries, the cost of living in Nauru is trickier to pin down. The nation operates on a rare economic ecosystem shaped by isolation, limited infrastructure, and reliance on imports.

Unlike other Pacific nations with booming tourism or diverse economies, scarcity of goods, government subsidies, and fluctuating supply chains will determine how much it costs to live in Nauru. This guide will provide insights into Nauru living expenses for a single person or a family according to the latest data.

• Nauru cost of living
• Comparing Nauru living costs to other countries
• Managing expenses in Nauru

An Overview of Nauru

The Republic of Nauru, as it’s officially known, is a small South Pacific island covering an area of just 21 square kilometers. Isolation, limited space and infrastructure, and a reliance on imported goods shape Nauru’s economic ecosystem, influencing the cost of living on the island.

Most goods are not readily available, and many residents rely on government subsidies. On the other hand, rent is reasonable despite limited premium apartments.

Cost of Living Analysis

Nauru’s infrastructural constraints, limited agricultural output, and dependence on importing everyday products mean living costs on the island are high. Analysing Nauru’s living costs shows housing, transportation, food, and utility expenses contribute to a higher-than-average cost of living. With most Nauru residents earning around $613 monthly on average, living a quality lifestyle can be challenging.

Nevertheless, as a low-income tax country that provides free education, it can be attractive to international investors who earn a foreign income.

Cost of Living in Nauru

Nauru’s cost of living can swing significantly for some items compared to others. Despite its small population, the country’s compact size means it has a high population density with limited resources and housing. Here is an overview of the average costs of primary living expenses in Nauru, according to livingcost.org.

Food and grocery expenses

Expats moving to Nauru will find that most everyday food items, such as oranges, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and meats, are imported as the country has minimal agricultural production. Though there isn’t a detailed food price index, overall, the cost of groceries and basic necessities in Nauru is relatively high.

There are also limited restaurant options, although dining out in Nauru can be cheap. According to Numbeo, an inexpensive meal for one costs $6.92, compared to $20 in the United States.

Transportation costs

Though infrastructure in Nauru is limited, moving around the island requires little thought due to its small land area. Nauru has just one main road that runs along its perimeter and is approximately 19.6 miles long.

The country does not have a public transportation system or local taxis, so there’s no need for a detailed transportation price index or equivalent commuter expense index. Most residents use their own vehicles to travel across the island. Hitchhiking is also a popular way to move around. It’s common for residents to pay other locals for rides, which works out to $7.72 per five miles.

A flight with Nauru Airlines to key destinations connecting Nauru to the rest of the world such as Nadi, Fiji, and Brisbane, Australia costs $500 to $600 one way. Unlike other South Pacific nations like the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Nauru is a single-island territory, so there is no ferry travel between islands.

Vehicle ownership

Nauru is a zero-income tax country, but high import duties and shipping costs apply to vehicle imports. The actual import costs remain somewhat uncertain, and Nauru’s shallow coastline with exposed rock formations and lack of seaport means all vehicles are imported by air.

Costs can be expected to align with other South Pacific island nations at around $2,000 and $5,000 for shipping and up to 40 percent of the vehicle’s value for import costs, depending on the type and age. With the island’s main road covering a mere 19.4 miles, fuel cost factors are nominal.

Utility expenses

Energy in Nauru is primarily produced with fossil fuels, meaning the cost of utilities in Nauru is high compared to the USA and Australia. Basic utilities, including electricity, cooling, water, and garbage, cost $250 monthly. Expenses for internet in Nauru are reasonable. A 10GB monthly mobile phone plan costs $6.29 and wired broadband internet costs $25 monthly.

Housing costs

Rent prices

Being a small island with limited real estate, the estimated monthly rent prices in Nauru can be high for an unfurnished higher quality apartment. According to Livingcost.org’s cost of living index, you’ll pay around $323 per month for a centrally located one-bedroom apartment and around $232 for a cheaper one-bedroom apartment outside the city center. Monthly rent for a three-bedroom city center apartment is approximately $598 and around $434 if located outside the city center.

Property purchase prices

Livingcost.org lists the average Nauru real estate price at $1,700 per square meter. That being said, investors must be aware that Nauru does not have an established real estate industry, and there is limited local information regarding property prices in a detailed housing price index. Property ownership is leasehold only, and the government maintains the right to reclaim land at any time for mining or rehabilitation.

Healthcare expenses

The Republic of Nauru Hospital is Nauru’s main healthcare center, offering basic medical services. Given the country’s limited healthcare infrastructure, residents needing specialized treatments often travel to Brisbane, Australia, at a substantial cost when combined with out-of-pocket expenses for Nauru citizenship by investment healthcare services.

International healthcare insurers such as MSH International and AXA Global Healthcare provide coverage in Nauru. Expats can purchase private healthcare plans starting from $400, which includes medical evacuation coverage.

Education costs

Public education in Nauru is compulsory and funded by the government until 18 years of age. According to Numbeo, the monthly tuition for one child to attend preschool is $314, and the yearly total cost for an international primary school is $9,430.

Nauru Cost Factors

Cost factors in Nauru include imported fuel costs, the local transportation price index, and the housing price index. Despite the island’s small size, the transportation price level index indicates high travel costs. A 50 Mbps broadband internet plan costs $25.48 per month. The food price index displays high grocery expenses due to imports, with 1kg of bananas costing almost $20.

Lifestyle and location

The living environment in Nauru is unique, with little outside influences. The country is so small that there are hardly any traffic lights or large-scale real estate developments. Residents don’t have many options for healthcare and need to seek medical treatment abroad, and most students complete higher education overseas. Most residents live in Yaren and Meneng.

Financial planning

Panning your finances and living expenses is crucial when moving to Nauru, although calculating cost of living accurately may be difficult. You most likely won’t find a job in Nauru, especially one that pays a decent salary to cover additional expenses like health insurance. There is only one bank in Nauru. Electricity, broadband internet, and other energy and infrastructure costs should be weighed into living budgets to maintain a high standard of living in Nauru.

Nauru Living Cost Comparison with Other Countries

ERI (Economic Research Institute) statistics suggest that the affordability of food, transportation, housing, and healthcare is above the global average. From data produced by Livingcost.org, living expenses in Nauru are lower than in the United States, Australia, and Vanuatu. Grocery prices in Nauru are generally high, but other living expenses lower the relative cost of living compared to the other countries.

Tips for Managing Expenses in Nauru

Budgeting in Nauru is hard due to the lack of accurate data, high cost of imported goods, and limited local resources. The following habits will allow you to reduce Nauru living expenses.

• Buy in bulk: Since most goods are imported, buying in bulk helps to save money and reduce the number of store trips.
• Obtain citizenship: Acquiring Nauru citizenship by investment can lower living costs by providing access to government subsidies and eliminating the requirement to apply for a visa with a Nauru passport.
• Use local produce: Almost all food items are imported in Nauru, so buying the few locally grown fruits and veggies is essential.
• Budget for utilities: The island’s diesel-generated electricity is expensive and tied to fuel cost factors. Consider purchasing energy-efficient appliances to lower energy consumption.
• Arrange shared transportation: As Nauru has no public transport, many people carpool or pay locals to give them a lift to cut costs.
• Plan for healthcare: Nauru citizenship by investment for Canadians requires thorough healthcare considerations. Medical facilities are limited, and serious health issues require evacuation to Australia. Private health insurance is essential to cover unexpected medical expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Nauru Cost of Living

How much is food in Nauru?

Food can be expensive in Nauru due to the country’s reliance on imports. Data from Livingcost.org states that a single person can expect to spend $262 monthly on food and a family of four $686.

How much is a pack of cigarettes in Nauru?

According to the most recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the average cost of the cheapest pack of 20 cigarettes is about $8.41 in Nauru.

What is the average income in Nauru?

The average monthly salary after Nauru taxes in Nauru is $613.

Is Nauru cheap or expensive?

The overall cost of living in Nauru is cheap with a low median rent price. However, specific expenses such as imported food, overseas travel, and local gasoline costs can be high.