Question 1

Can a US citizen buy a house in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

Yes, US citizens can buy a house in Fiji, with restrictions on freehold land. Foreigners can freely buy strata-titled apartments and properties on freehold land (about 8 percent of Fiji's land area, concentrated in the Suva-Nadi-Lautoka corridor). The Land Sales Act bars foreign ownership of freehold residential land within town and city boundaries unless the buyer commits to building a home valued at FJD 250,000 (roughly USD 110,000) or more within two years. iTaukei (native) land, which makes up roughly 87 percent of Fiji, cannot be bought, only leased (typically 99-year leases). Stamp duty and legal fees together run roughly 12 to 15 percent of purchase price for foreign buyers. Property ownership does not grant residency. For the full picture, see our Fiji cost of living page.

Question 2

How much does a house cost in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

A modest two- to three-bedroom house in Suva, Nadi, or Lautoka runs roughly FJD 250,000 to 500,000 (USD 110,000 to 220,000) for older stock in established suburbs, with newer or expat-favoured developments in Pacific Harbour, Denarau, and Savusavu running FJD 600,000 to 1.5 million (USD 265,000 to 660,000). Beachfront and resort-adjacent properties on Denarau Island and the Coral Coast routinely sit above FJD 2 million (USD 880,000). Strata-titled apartments in central Suva start around FJD 200,000 (USD 88,000). Foreign buyers face a minimum FJD 250,000 build requirement on freehold land inside town boundaries and additional stamp duty of around 10 percent. Rental yields on freehold property typically run 5 to 7 percent gross. For the full picture, see our Fiji cost of living page.

Question 3

How can a US citizen move to Fiji?

Accepted Answer

US citizens can enter Fiji visa-free for four months as a tourist, extendable to six months total in any 12-month period. For longer stays, the main routes are the investor permit (requiring a minimum FJD 250,000, roughly USD 110,000, in a qualifying business), the work permit (employer-sponsored and tied to a specific role and salary threshold), and the spouse permit (for partners of Fiji citizens). There is no formal retirement-visa programme equivalent to Panama or Malaysia, so retirees typically combine an investor route with long-stay tourist entries and property ownership. Fiji has trialled remote-worker pilots in recent years, but a standalone digital-nomad visa has not been established. Permanent residency is achievable but slow, typically requiring continuous permit-based residence for several years. For the full picture, see our Fiji cost of living page.

Question 4

How much is a gallon of milk in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

A US gallon (3.78 litres) of milk in Fiji costs roughly FJD 11 to 14, or USD 5 to 6.25 at recent exchange rates. Long-life UHT milk is more common in the supermarket and cheaper than fresh, typically FJD 2.50 to 3.50 per litre (USD 1.10 to 1.55). Fresh pasteurised milk runs FJD 3 to 4 per litre (USD 1.30 to 1.80) and is mostly produced domestically by the Rewa Co-operative Dairy. Imported branded fresh milk from Australia or New Zealand runs 30 to 60 percent more. Bulk-buying long-life cartons is the standard practice for most local households, partly because rural electricity and fridge reliability favours shelf-stable formats. For the full picture, see our Fiji cost of living page.

Question 5

Is Fiji a good place to live?

Accepted Answer

Fiji works well for retirees, remote workers, and lifestyle migrants who prioritise warm weather, low cost relative to Australasia, and an English-speaking environment. The CostLiving moderate benchmark is $1,425 a month per person, well below New Zealand ($3,175) and Australia ($3,125). The trade-offs are real: imported-goods prices run 30 to 60 percent above Australasian levels, internet connectivity outside the main centres is patchy, specialist healthcare requires evacuation to Australia or New Zealand for serious cases, and the property market has restrictions for foreign buyers. Suva offers urban convenience; Nadi suits resort and beach lifestyles; the outer islands are cheaper but logistically demanding for daily life. For the full picture, see our Fiji cost of living page.

Question 6

How much money do you need to live in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

A single person needs roughly $1,425 a month to live comfortably in Fiji, the CostLiving moderate benchmark covering rent, groceries, utilities, transport, and modest discretionary spending. In Suva or Nadi, this covers a one-bedroom in a safe neighbourhood at around $450 a month, plus reasonable food, transport, and entertainment. For a couple, $2,250 to $2,950 a month covers a comfortable two-person budget. Visitors should expect to spend 30 to 60 percent more than locals on day-to-day items because resort and tourist-facing pricing is meaningfully higher. Fiji's moderate cost sits well below New Zealand ($3,175) and Australia ($3,125), and is roughly 40 percent of the US average ($3,525). For the full breakdown, see our Fiji cost of living page.

Question 7

Is living in Fiji expensive?

Accepted Answer

Fiji is inexpensive by Western standards but more expensive than most Pacific neighbours and many Southeast Asian destinations. The CostLiving moderate benchmark for Fiji is $1,425 a month per person, well below New Zealand ($3,175), Australia ($3,125), and the US average ($3,525). Locally produced food, rent outside the resort corridors, and public transport are cheap, but anything imported (electronics, cars, branded groceries, household goods) carries an island premium of 30 to 60 percent over Australian or New Zealand prices. Petrol, alcohol, and packaged imported goods are notably expensive. Public healthcare is cheap if you use government facilities, but most expats carry private or international cover. For the full breakdown, see our Fiji cost of living page.

Question 8

What jobs are in high demand in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

High-demand roles in Fiji cluster in tourism and hospitality (resort management, dive instruction, F&B leadership), healthcare (doctors, specialist nurses, allied health), construction and engineering (civil engineers, project managers, qualified tradespeople), education (English-language teachers, international-school staff), and offshore services (call-centre supervisors, accountants for the growing BPO sector around Suva). Senior expat roles typically pay FJD 60,000 to 150,000 a year (USD 26,000 to 66,000), with resort general managers and specialist medical staff at the higher end. Local wages sit well below this: the typical Fijian household income runs around FJD 25,000 to 40,000 a year (USD 11,000 to 18,000). Work permits are role-specific and require employer sponsorship. For the full picture, see our Fiji cost of living page.

Fiji Cost of Living Questions