Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Avarua and Rarotonga

For one person, living is cheaper in Rarotonga: $1,117 a month against $1,161 in Avarua, rent and utilities included – about $530 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Avarua outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Jump to prices

Avarua

🇨🇰 Cook Islands

$1,161

/mo nomad

Rarotonga

🇨🇰 Cook Islands

$1,117

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Avarua and in Rarotonga

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Avarua and in Rarotonga actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,161 per month in Avarua vs $1,117 in Rarotonga, rent included.

Avarua $1,161
Rarotonga $1,117

A couple spends around $781 per month in Avarua vs $1,580 in Rarotonga, rent included.

Avarua $781
Rarotonga $1,580

A family of three spends $401 per month in Avarua vs $2,044 in Rarotonga, rent included.

Avarua $401
Rarotonga $2,044

Avarua costs about 4% more than Rarotonga.

Both Avarua and Rarotonga are more affordable than the global median – Avarua 14% lower, Rarotonga 17% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.41 NZ$20.26

$14.17 NZ$25.16

-19.48%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.9 NZ$92.1

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.71 NZ$10.14

Cappuccino

$2.75 NZ$4.89

$3.51 NZ$6.23

-21.65%

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

$2.16 NZ$3.84

$2.22 NZ$3.93

-2.70%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.79 NZ$4.95

$2.31 NZ$4.11

20.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 NZ$12.30

$4.97 NZ$8.82

39.44%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.89 NZ$6.91

$5.17 NZ$9.18

-24.76%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.77 NZ$4.92

White Bread (500g)

$2.79 NZ$4.95

Eggs

$6.29 NZ$11.16

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.35 NZ$13.05

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.42 NZ$20.27

Wine (Bottle)

$11.23 NZ$19.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.34 NZ$5.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.12 NZ$9.09

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.86 NZ$5.07

$2.81 NZ$4.99

1.78%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$19.77 NZ$35.10

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.02 NZ$60.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.14 NZ$3.81

$1.74 NZ$3.10

22.99%

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

$11.4K NZ$20.2K

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

$100 NZ$178

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

$47.44 NZ$84.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$103 NZ$183

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$971 NZ$1,725

$460 NZ$816

111.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$963 NZ$1,710

$457 NZ$811

110.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$111 NZ$197

$682 NZ$1,211

-83.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$631 NZ$1,120

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$944 NZ$1,675

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,929 NZ$6,975

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

Last update for Avarua: November 2, 2026

Last update for Rarotonga: November 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $971 in Avarua versus $460 in Rarotonga. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Good to know

🇨🇰 Avarua

🇨🇰 Rarotonga

🕒 Local time

12:46 12:46 PM

Same time as Avarua

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

5,000 Capital

13,373

💱 Currency

New Zealand Dollar NZD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 NZD = 0.563 USD

1 NZD = 0.502 EUR

1 NZD = 0.563 USD

1 NZD = 0.502 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Avarua vs Rarotonga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,742 per month in Avarua and $1,675 in Rarotonga. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Rarotonga, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $460 there versus $971 in Avarua.

$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,161 in Avarua and $1,117 in Rarotonga. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.