Cost of Living in Ashburton - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,075 (excluding rent), and $1,890 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,747 (excluding rent), and $3,942 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.63 NZ$28.94

$8.91 NZ$15.50

$26.73 NZ$46.51

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.1 NZ$127

$48.73 NZ$84.8

$101 NZ$175

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.61 NZ$16.71

$9.00 NZ$15.66

$12.00 NZ$20.89

Cappuccino

$3.35 NZ$5.83

$2.35 NZ$4.10

$4.12 NZ$7.17

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 NZ$4.16

$1.86 NZ$3.23

$3.09 NZ$5.37

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 NZ$3.42

$1.18 NZ$2.06

$2.65 NZ$4.61

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.17 NZ$12.47

$5.38 NZ$9.36

$8.95 NZ$15.58

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.03 NZ$12.23

$4.68 NZ$8.14

$8.78 NZ$15.27

Milk (1 liter)

$1.92 NZ$3.35

$1.12 NZ$1.95

$3.35 NZ$5.84

White Bread (500g)

$2.01 NZ$3.51

$1.09 NZ$1.90

$3.72 NZ$6.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.72 NZ$3.00

$1.09 NZ$1.90

$2.43 NZ$4.23

Eggs

$6.33 NZ$11.02

$4.27 NZ$7.43

$8.54 NZ$14.85

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.41 NZ$14.63

$6.73 NZ$11.71

$14.69 NZ$25.56

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.38 NZ$16.33

$4.21 NZ$7.33

$12.04 NZ$20.95

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.77 NZ$22.22

$10.13 NZ$17.63

$16.40 NZ$28.54

Apples (1kg)

$3.11 NZ$5.40

$2.12 NZ$3.69

$4.84 NZ$8.43

Banana (1kg)

$2.12 NZ$3.69

$4.50 NZ$7.84

Oranges (1kg)

$2.94 NZ$5.11

$2.06 NZ$3.58

$4.41 NZ$7.67

Tomato (1kg)

$3.25 NZ$5.65

$2.36 NZ$4.10

$8.26 NZ$14.37

Potato (1kg)

$2.12 NZ$3.69

$1.23 NZ$2.14

$4.27 NZ$7.43

Onion (1kg)

$2.31 NZ$4.01

$0.92 NZ$1.60

$5.54 NZ$9.65

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.91 NZ$5.07

$1.95 NZ$3.39

$4.11 NZ$7.15

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.40 NZ$2.44

$0.58 NZ$1.01

$2.63 NZ$4.58

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$23.94 NZ$41.65

$22.74 NZ$39.56

$26.93 NZ$46.85

Wine (Bottle)

$8.43 NZ$14.67

$7.30 NZ$12.70

$14.04 NZ$24.44

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.71 NZ$6.46

$1.50 NZ$2.61

$7.20 NZ$12.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.97 NZ$8.65

$1.83 NZ$3.18

$8.53 NZ$14.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.07 NZ$3.60

$1.33 NZ$2.32

$2.36 NZ$4.11

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.4 NZ$112

$8.19 NZ$14.24

$64.4 NZ$112

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.64 NZ$4.59

$1.76 NZ$3.07

$5.87 NZ$10.21

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.66 NZ$2.90

$2.22 NZ$3.86

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.97 NZ$52.2

$17.98 NZ$31.29

$32.96 NZ$57.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.66 NZ$2.88

$1.50 NZ$2.61

$1.74 NZ$3.02

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27.1K NZ$47.2K

$20.5K NZ$35.7K

$31.3K NZ$54.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$19.8K NZ$34.5K

$18.1K NZ$31.5K

$22.5K NZ$39.1K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$116 NZ$201

$59.9 NZ$104

$188 NZ$327

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$32.13 NZ$55.9

$18.37 NZ$31.96

$45.92 NZ$79.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.8 NZ$93.6

$41.32 NZ$71.9

$60.8 NZ$106

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.71 NZ$63.9

$16.84 NZ$29.31

$49.64 NZ$86.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.08 NZ$21.02

$4.83 NZ$8.40

$15.71 NZ$27.33

Cinema Ticket

$10.94 NZ$19.04

$9.60 NZ$16.71

$13.20 NZ$22.97

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$649 NZ$1,129

$305 NZ$531

$1,429 NZ$2,486

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,367 NZ$16.3K

$6,668 NZ$11.6K

$14.5K NZ$25.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$29.63 NZ$51.6

$101 NZ$175

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.70 NZ$74.3

$24.01 NZ$41.77

$60.0 NZ$104

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.9 NZ$160

$45.00 NZ$78.3

$120 NZ$209

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$154 NZ$268

$91.3 NZ$159

$243 NZ$424

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$973 NZ$1,693

$725 NZ$1,261

$1,329 NZ$2,312

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$800 NZ$1,393

$430 NZ$748

$1,164 NZ$2,025

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,570 NZ$2,732

$1,203 NZ$2,094

$1,971 NZ$3,429

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,451 NZ$2,524

$1,260 NZ$2,192

$1,779 NZ$3,096

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,551 NZ$9,659

$1,514 NZ$2,634

$5,551 NZ$9,659

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,774 NZ$6,568

$1,934 NZ$3,365

$4,834 NZ$8,412

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.74

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Ashburton Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

140

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

108

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Ashburton - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with major cities, Ashburton tends to offer a more affordable everyday vibe while maintaining a strong sense of community and access to nature. Cost of Living in Ashburton is shaped by modest housing options, reasonable utilities, and practical services that suit many budgets. You’ll find a range of rental and purchase options, from compact flats to family homes, with price levels generally steadier than metropolitan centers. Local groceries, dining, and transport help you balance expenses without sacrificing convenience. Seasonal tourism can push demand briefly, yet values remain competitive for families, remote workers, and retirees. Tip: Map out a district-by-district budget to compare commute times, schools, and markets.

Ashburton's housing search is usually straightforward: start with central town and nearby suburbs, then widen to rural pockets if you want more space. For food, expect a mix of supermarkets, local dairies, and seasonal produce at farmers' markets, with cafe culture powering easy daytime work sessions. Transport leans car-first, with some bus routes and bike-friendly streets; many digital nomads rely on flexible schedules to avoid peak-hour congestion. Co-working spaces exist, plus a strong café scene for remote work. Errands, amenities, and healthcare are all accessible within a short drive or bike ride. Ashburton living cost is a practical lens as you compare neighborhoods. Tip: check lease terms and utility inclusions before signing a contract.

Quality of life here hinges on a friendly community, easy access to nature, and a balanced pace. Use a budgeting framework that prioritizes essentials, then flexible spending on experiences, while keeping a buffer for seasonal changes. To save, focus on home cooking with local produce, monitor utilities, and take advantage of free or low-cost activities like parks, libraries, and weekend markets. Neighborhood fit matters: central Ashburton offers walkable shops and services, while surrounding areas provide more space and quieter streets, with shorter drives to rural trails. Tip: set a monthly review to adjust your plan as seasons and work patterns shift.