Cost of Living in Cambridge - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $984 (excluding rent), and $2,258 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,075 (excluding rent), and $3,816 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.74 NZ$23.99

$12.21 NZ$21.32

$30.53 NZ$53.3

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.91 NZ$62.7

$180 NZ$314

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.88 NZ$15.51

$14.81 NZ$25.86

Cappuccino

$3.07 NZ$5.35

$4.3 NZ$7.51

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

$2.4 NZ$4.19

$1.85 NZ$3.23

$3.07 NZ$5.37

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 NZ$3.96

$1.86 NZ$3.24

$3.09 NZ$5.39

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.72 NZ$8.25

$8.86 NZ$15.47

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.51 NZ$11.37

$5.28 NZ$9.21

$9.3 NZ$16.24

Milk (1 liter)

$1.61 NZ$2.82

$0.82 NZ$1.42

$2.78 NZ$4.85

White Bread (500g)

$1.68 NZ$2.93

$0.76 NZ$1.33

$3.06 NZ$5.35

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.91 NZ$3.33

$1.09 NZ$1.9

$2.01 NZ$3.51

Eggs

$6.17 NZ$10.78

$5.81 NZ$10.15

$7.27 NZ$12.69

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.32 NZ$14.53

$6.12 NZ$10.68

$13.47 NZ$23.51

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.43 NZ$16.47

$5.57 NZ$9.73

$12.38 NZ$21.62

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.45 NZ$21.73

$7.59 NZ$13.26

$15.18 NZ$26.5

Apples (1kg)

$2.44 NZ$4.27

$1.2 NZ$2.09

$3.57 NZ$6.23

Banana (1kg)

$1.81 NZ$3.15

$1.53 NZ$2.68

$2.35 NZ$4.11

Oranges (1kg)

$2.35 NZ$4.1

$1.76 NZ$3.08

$5.28 NZ$9.21

Tomato (1kg)

$3.09 NZ$5.39

$1.55 NZ$2.7

$4.94 NZ$8.63

Potato (1kg)

$2.05 NZ$3.58

$1.18 NZ$2.06

$3.52 NZ$6.15

Onion (1kg)

$1.79 NZ$3.12

$0.89 NZ$1.55

$2.97 NZ$5.19

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.13 NZ$3.71

$1.23 NZ$2.15

$3.38 NZ$5.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.29 NZ$2.25

$0.61 NZ$1.06

$3.06 NZ$5.34

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$20.57 NZ$35.92

$18.29 NZ$31.93

$25.61 NZ$44.71

Wine (Bottle)

$10.4 NZ$18.16

$6.35 NZ$11.09

$11.56 NZ$20.19

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.44 NZ$4.26

$1.19 NZ$2.08

$7.19 NZ$12.56

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.68 NZ$4.68

$1.52 NZ$2.66

$4.86 NZ$8.49

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.09 NZ$5.4

$1.4 NZ$2.44

$3.09 NZ$5.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.6 NZ$111

$8.09 NZ$14.12

$63.6 NZ$111

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.77 NZ$4.84

$1.85 NZ$3.23

$3.08 NZ$5.37

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.99 NZ$3.48

$1.53 NZ$2.68

$3.87 NZ$6.76

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.5 NZ$62

$30.35 NZ$53

$36.42 NZ$63.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.67 NZ$2.91

$1.56 NZ$2.72

$1.7 NZ$2.96

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

$26.9K NZ$47K

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

$23K NZ$40.1K

$22.1K NZ$38.5K

$23.9K NZ$41.7K

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

$109 NZ$190

$333 NZ$582

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

$37.33 NZ$65.2

$21.07 NZ$36.79

$48.17 NZ$84.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.8 NZ$69.5

$61.2 NZ$107

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.43 NZ$63.6

$16.71 NZ$29.18

$49.26 NZ$86

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.08 NZ$21.09

$4.83 NZ$8.43

$15.7 NZ$27.42

Cinema Ticket

$9.22 NZ$16.1

$8 NZ$13.97

$11.07 NZ$19.33

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

$750 NZ$1,309

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.9K NZ$20.7K

$10.1K NZ$17.6K

$14.8K NZ$25.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$101 NZ$176

$45.78 NZ$79.9

$183 NZ$320

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.3 NZ$100

$21.12 NZ$36.88

$121 NZ$211

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 NZ$178

$71.1 NZ$124

$119 NZ$207

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$130 NZ$226

$42.68 NZ$74.5

$152 NZ$266

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$949 NZ$1,656

$711 NZ$1,242

$1,304 NZ$2,277

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,200 NZ$2,094

$420 NZ$733

$1,200 NZ$2,094

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,125 NZ$3,710

$1,214 NZ$2,120

$2,125 NZ$3,710

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,594 NZ$2,784

$1,472 NZ$2,570

$1,717 NZ$2,998

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,550 NZ$7,944

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,963 NZ$6,919

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,643 NZ$4,614

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.79

7.5

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

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Cost of Living in Cambridge - Frequently Asked Questions

Cambridge offers a very reasonable balance of value and quality of life for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. The town’s compact center makes essentials feel reachable on foot, while nearby green spaces and quieter streets keep daily life relaxed. Housing options range from cosy cottages to practical townhouses, often with more space than you'd expect for the price in major cities. Local markets, affordable cafés, and family-run eateries help your budget go further without sacrificing convenience. Cost of Living in Cambridge, New Zealand is a useful reference when planning your stay and comparing options across neighborhoods. Tip: plan a short first week with flexible housing to test fits.

Daily life centers on a walkable town core, with plenty of options for rental homes in central streets or leafy suburbs near parks. Start your housing search by checking local listings and walking tours of neighborhoods; you’ll often find longer-term leases that suit flexible plans. Food options range from farmers’ markets to affordable cafés and takeaway rotisseries or bakeries. For getting around, cycling routes and a compact bus network cover the town, with car-sharing or occasional drives to nearby Hamilton for bigger shopping. For work, several coworking spaces host daily meetups and reliable Wi-Fi. Cambridge, New Zealand living cost stays moderate for most days. Tip: block out peak hours for errands to save time and fuel.

Quality of life in Cambridge blends safety, accessibility, and a community vibe. To budget effectively, group your costs by housing, groceries, transport, and leisure, then set simple caps and track weekly, adjusting with seasons. Summer activities include cycling, lakeside walks, and outdoor markets; winter brings indoor cafés, libraries, and community events – plan for those slower days. When choosing a neighborhood, consider walkability to the town center, proximity to parks, and access to bus routes or cycleways. Compare options by consistency of rent, distance to essential services, and your preferred pace. Tip: test a few neighborhoods by spending a weekend there to feel the rhythm.