Cost of Living in Cambridge - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $922 (excluding rent), and $2,229 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,112 (excluding rent), and $3,811 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.32 NZ$21.97

$11.84 NZ$19.52

$29.59 NZ$48.81

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.6 NZ$58.7

$178 NZ$294

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.1 NZ$15.01

$15.17 NZ$25.02

Cappuccino

$2.95 NZ$4.86

$4.13 NZ$6.82

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

$2.34 NZ$3.85

$1.8 NZ$2.97

$2.99 NZ$4.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 NZ$3.6

$1.79 NZ$2.95

$2.98 NZ$4.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.69 NZ$7.73

$8.79 NZ$14.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.23 NZ$10.27

$5.05 NZ$8.33

$8.9 NZ$14.67

Milk (1 liter)

$1.68 NZ$2.78

$0.85 NZ$1.41

$2.9 NZ$4.79

White Bread (500g)

$1.68 NZ$2.78

$0.77 NZ$1.26

$3.07 NZ$5.06

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.9 NZ$3.13

$1.08 NZ$1.78

$2 NZ$3.3

Eggs

$6.05 NZ$9.98

$5.7 NZ$9.4

$7.12 NZ$11.75

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.14 NZ$13.42

$5.98 NZ$9.87

$13.17 NZ$21.72

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.29 NZ$15.33

$5.49 NZ$9.06

$12.19 NZ$20.11

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.35 NZ$20.36

$7.53 NZ$12.42

$15.05 NZ$24.83

Apples (1kg)

$2.42 NZ$3.99

$1.18 NZ$1.95

$3.53 NZ$5.83

Banana (1kg)

$1.89 NZ$3.12

$1.61 NZ$2.65

$2.47 NZ$4.07

Oranges (1kg)

$2.47 NZ$4.07

$1.85 NZ$3.06

$5.55 NZ$9.15

Tomato (1kg)

$2.96 NZ$4.89

$1.49 NZ$2.45

$4.75 NZ$7.83

Potato (1kg)

$2.06 NZ$3.4

$1.18 NZ$1.95

$3.54 NZ$5.83

Onion (1kg)

$1.84 NZ$3.03

$0.91 NZ$1.51

$3.05 NZ$5.04

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.03 NZ$3.35

$1.17 NZ$1.94

$3.22 NZ$5.32

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 NZ$2.04

$0.59 NZ$0.97

$2.94 NZ$4.84

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$20.26 NZ$33.41

$18.01 NZ$29.7

$25.22 NZ$41.59

Wine (Bottle)

$8.91 NZ$14.7

$6.54 NZ$10.78

$11.89 NZ$19.61

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.43 NZ$4.01

$1.19 NZ$1.96

$7.17 NZ$11.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.7 NZ$4.46

$1.54 NZ$2.53

$4.9 NZ$8.08

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.07 NZ$5.07

$1.39 NZ$2.29

$3.07 NZ$5.07

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.1 NZ$106

$8.14 NZ$13.43

$64.1 NZ$106

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.05 NZ$5.03

$2.04 NZ$3.36

$3.39 NZ$5.58

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.98 NZ$3.27

$1.53 NZ$2.52

$3.86 NZ$6.36

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$37.04 NZ$61.1

$31.66 NZ$52.2

$37.99 NZ$62.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.64 NZ$2.71

$1.53 NZ$2.53

$1.67 NZ$2.75

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

$26.9K NZ$44.4K

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

$23.6K NZ$38.9K

$22.7K NZ$37.4K

$24.5K NZ$40.5K

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

$109 NZ$179

$334 NZ$550

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

$37.71 NZ$62.2

$21.28 NZ$35.1

$48.66 NZ$80.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$38.98 NZ$64.3

$60 NZ$98.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.88 NZ$62.5

$17.38 NZ$28.66

$51.2 NZ$84.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.54 NZ$19.04

$4.61 NZ$7.61

$15.01 NZ$24.75

Cinema Ticket

$8.77 NZ$14.47

$7.61 NZ$12.55

$10.53 NZ$17.37

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

$759 NZ$1,251

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.2K NZ$21.7K

$11.2K NZ$18.4K

$16.4K NZ$27.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$97.5 NZ$161

$44.33 NZ$73.1

$177 NZ$293

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$58.1 NZ$95.8

$21.39 NZ$35.27

$122 NZ$202

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 NZ$169

$71.5 NZ$118

$119 NZ$196

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$128 NZ$211

$42.12 NZ$69.5

$150 NZ$248

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$965 NZ$1,592

$724 NZ$1,194

$1,327 NZ$2,189

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,221 NZ$2,014

$427 NZ$705

$1,221 NZ$2,014

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,091 NZ$3,449

$1,195 NZ$1,971

$2,091 NZ$3,449

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,578 NZ$2,602

$1,456 NZ$2,402

$1,699 NZ$2,802

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,870 NZ$8,032

$2,435 NZ$4,016

$4,870 NZ$8,032

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,201 NZ$6,929

$2,401 NZ$3,960

$4,201 NZ$6,929

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,801 NZ$4,620

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.79

7.5

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

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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.