Cost of Living in Blenheim - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $819 (excluding rent), and $1,556 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,487 (excluding rent), and $3,532 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.70 NZ$29.05

$8.94 NZ$15.56

$26.84 NZ$46.69

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$71.4 NZ$124

$47.57 NZ$82.8

$98.1 NZ$171

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.57 NZ$14.92

$7.90 NZ$13.74

$12.34 NZ$21.47

Cappuccino

$3.42 NZ$5.95

$2.40 NZ$4.18

$4.20 NZ$7.32

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

$2.27 NZ$3.94

$1.76 NZ$3.06

$2.93 NZ$5.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 NZ$3.41

$1.18 NZ$2.05

$2.93 NZ$5.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.05 NZ$10.52

$4.83 NZ$8.41

$9.06 NZ$15.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.06 NZ$12.28

$4.70 NZ$8.18

$8.81 NZ$15.33

Milk (1 liter)

$1.84 NZ$3.20

$1.07 NZ$1.86

$3.55 NZ$6.19

White Bread (500g)

$1.64 NZ$2.85

$1.08 NZ$1.88

$3.68 NZ$6.41

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.44 NZ$2.51

$1.05 NZ$1.83

$2.35 NZ$4.08

Eggs

$5.59 NZ$9.73

$4.12 NZ$7.17

$8.47 NZ$14.74

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.96 NZ$13.85

$6.73 NZ$11.71

$14.69 NZ$25.56

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.39 NZ$11.11

$4.26 NZ$7.41

$12.17 NZ$21.18

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.03 NZ$22.68

$10.34 NZ$17.99

$18.26 NZ$31.78

Apples (1kg)

$3.02 NZ$5.26

$2.12 NZ$3.69

$4.84 NZ$8.43

Banana (1kg)

$1.83 NZ$3.18

$4.46 NZ$7.77

Oranges (1kg)

$2.83 NZ$4.93

$2.09 NZ$3.63

$4.17 NZ$7.25

Tomato (1kg)

$5.85 NZ$10.19

$2.48 NZ$4.31

$8.68 NZ$15.11

Potato (1kg)

$1.88 NZ$3.28

$1.20 NZ$2.09

$4.18 NZ$7.27

Onion (1kg)

$2.23 NZ$3.89

$0.89 NZ$1.55

$5.37 NZ$9.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.48 NZ$4.31

$1.86 NZ$3.24

$4.34 NZ$7.55

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.41 NZ$2.45

$0.59 NZ$1.02

$2.65 NZ$4.62

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$23.93 NZ$41.64

$22.73 NZ$39.55

$26.92 NZ$46.84

Wine (Bottle)

$8.74 NZ$15.21

$7.57 NZ$13.17

$14.56 NZ$25.34

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.54 NZ$2.68

$7.37 NZ$12.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 NZ$3.19

$8.54 NZ$14.87

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.96 NZ$5.15

$1.34 NZ$2.33

$2.96 NZ$5.15

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$122 NZ$212

$8.21 NZ$14.29

$122 NZ$212

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.73 NZ$4.76

$1.83 NZ$3.18

$6.08 NZ$10.59

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.15 NZ$2.00

$2.30 NZ$4.01

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.01 NZ$52.2

$18.00 NZ$31.33

$33.00 NZ$57.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.63 NZ$2.83

$1.47 NZ$2.56

$1.71 NZ$2.98

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

$18.0K NZ$31.3K

$11.6K NZ$20.1K

$31.7K NZ$55.1K

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

$15.5K NZ$26.9K

$10.1K NZ$17.6K

$22.2K NZ$38.6K

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

$57.3 NZ$99.6

$48.09 NZ$83.7

$189 NZ$328

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

$31.11 NZ$54.1

$17.79 NZ$30.95

$47.44 NZ$82.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$50.8 NZ$88.4

$41.44 NZ$72.1

$61.0 NZ$106

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.95 NZ$53.9

$16.56 NZ$28.81

$35.48 NZ$61.7

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.76 NZ$8.28

$4.17 NZ$7.25

$5.36 NZ$9.33

Cinema Ticket

$10.88 NZ$18.92

$5.37 NZ$9.34

$14.90 NZ$25.93

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

$481 NZ$838

$301 NZ$524

$1,408 NZ$2,450

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,362 NZ$16.3K

$6,664 NZ$11.6K

$14.5K NZ$25.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.55 NZ$65.3

$21.02 NZ$36.58

$102 NZ$178

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.03 NZ$52.3

$12.01 NZ$20.90

$60.1 NZ$105

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 NZ$164

$46.03 NZ$80.1

$123 NZ$214

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 NZ$128

$245 NZ$426

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$717 NZ$1,248

$478 NZ$832

$956 NZ$1,664

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$573 NZ$998

$362 NZ$630

$785 NZ$1,365

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,056 NZ$1,837

$320 NZ$556

$1,721 NZ$2,995

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,130 NZ$1,966

$454 NZ$790

$1,483 NZ$2,580

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,434 NZ$5,976

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,292 NZ$5,728

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,575 NZ$4,481

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 13, 2026

Blenheim Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

148

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 Blenheim - Frequently Asked Questions

Blenheim generally offers a comfortable balance between value and quality compared with larger cities. You’ll find affordable options for housing, groceries, and local services, especially if you choose modest apartments or shared spaces outside the main center. The city’s compact size makes daily errands doable on foot or by bike, which lowers transport costs. Tourism seasons can shift prices in hospitality and short-term stays, but longer stays often benefit from seasonal deals or longer-term leases. Cost of Living in Blenheim varies by neighborhood, yet its proximity to wine country, gardens, and the rivers adds intangible value for everyday life. Tip: identify a core neighborhood that fits your work and social routines.

Expect a practical daily rhythm in Blenheim: housing options range from compact apartments in the town center to peaceful rentals in nearby suburbs, with longer leases often easing monthly budgeting. Food comes from farmers markets, local grocers, and a growing cafe scene; you can cook at home or dine out at affordable spots during weekdays. Transport is flexible: walking or cycling is rewarding in the compact center, and car sharing or a modest rental covers trips to vineyards or the outer coast. Co-working spaces and cafés with reliable Wi-Fi provide work zones, while errands are straightforward thanks to walkable essentials. Blenheim living cost leans toward steady, predictable patterns. Tip: map a neighborhood that balances commute, sleep quality, and social life.

Blenheim offers a sunny, small-town vibe with easy access to outdoor recreation, vineyards, and local events. For budgeting, adopt a simple framework: plan a monthly budget by category (groceries, transport, housing, activities), then track how you actually spend. Shop at markets for fresh produce, and choose off-peak times for events to stretch entertainment dollars. Housing in walkable neighborhoods saves on transport, while occasional longer trips benefit from planning ahead. Seasonality affects crowds and availability, so align your plans with harvest or shoulder seasons for better value. Tip: build a flexible routine that prioritizes essentials and social connections while leaving room for spontaneous discoveries.