Cost of Living Comparison Between Dunedin and Nelson Cost of Living Comparison Between Dunedin and Nelson

๐Ÿ˜ Solo nomad: Dunedin is 1.3% more expensive than Nelson without rent, and 9.9% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ˜ Family of 3: Dunedin is 1.9% more expensive than Nelson without rent, and 11.2% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Dunedin
Nelson
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.25 NZ$20.2
$20.86 NZ$34.41
-41.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.7 NZ$122
$85.7 NZ$141
-13.97%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.95 NZ$18.07
$9.4 NZ$15.5
16.49%
Cappuccino
$3.46 NZ$5.7
$3.17 NZ$5.22
9.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.2 NZ$3.63
$2.66 NZ$4.39
-17.29%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 NZ$3.38
$2.76 NZ$4.56
-25.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.2 NZ$11.87
$7.34 NZ$12.1
-1.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.08 NZ$10.03
$5.95 NZ$9.82
2.18%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Dunedin
Nelson
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.08 NZ$3.44
$2.34 NZ$3.86
-11.11%
White Bread (500g)
$1.96 NZ$3.22
$2.32 NZ$3.82
-15.52%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.81 NZ$2.99
$2.25 NZ$3.71
-19.56%
Eggs
$5.67 NZ$9.35
$6.11 NZ$10.07
-7.20%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.36 NZ$13.8
$9.87 NZ$16.28
-15.30%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.62 NZ$17.52
$8.07 NZ$13.31
31.60%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.05 NZ$21.53
$16.25 NZ$26.8
-19.69%
Apples (1kg)
$2.86 NZ$4.72
$3.6 NZ$5.94
-20.56%
Banana (1kg)
$2.24 NZ$3.69
$2.61 NZ$4.31
-14.18%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.3 NZ$5.45
$2.97 NZ$4.9
11.11%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.54 NZ$7.49
$6.46 NZ$10.66
-29.72%
Potato (1kg)
$1.91 NZ$3.15
$3.73 NZ$6.15
-48.79%
Onion (1kg)
$2.04 NZ$3.37
$2.58 NZ$4.25
-20.93%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.48 NZ$4.09
$2.5 NZ$4.13
-0.80%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.07 NZ$1.76
$1.29 NZ$2.12
-17.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$24.01 NZ$39.6
$29.66 NZ$48.91
-19.05%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.7 NZ$14.34
$10.11 NZ$16.67
-13.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.59 NZ$4.27
$3.2 NZ$5.28
-19.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63 NZ$5.99
$4.39 NZ$7.24
-17.31%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Dunedin
Nelson
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.25 NZ$2.05
$2.38 NZ$3.92
-47.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.8 NZ$120
$63.3 NZ$104
15.11%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.16 NZ$10.15
$4.25 NZ$7.01
44.94%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.1 NZ$1.81
$1.81 NZ$2.98
-39.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.44 NZ$50.2
$35.25 NZ$58.1
-13.65%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.72 NZ$2.84
$1.72 NZ$2.83
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.7K NZ$32.5K
$18.6K NZ$30.7K
5.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K NZ$42.3K
$22K NZ$36.2K
16.74%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dunedin
Nelson
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$99.8 NZ$165
$222 NZ$367
-55.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.84 NZ$59.1
$36.1 NZ$59.5
-0.72%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.6 NZ$91.8
$49.67 NZ$81.9
12.00%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Dunedin
Nelson
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52 NZ$85.7
$48.98 NZ$80.8
6.06%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.13 NZ$10.12
$20.68 NZ$34.11
-70.36%
Cinema Ticket
$9.74 NZ$16.06
$10.13 NZ$16.7
-3.85%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Dunedin
Nelson
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$577 NZ$952
$473 NZ$780
22.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.2K NZ$20.1K
$12.1K NZ$20K
0.56%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Dunedin
Nelson
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.1 NZ$111
$59.5 NZ$98.2
12.82%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.49 NZ$58.5
$66.8 NZ$110
-46.90%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.1 NZ$155
$133 NZ$220
-29.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123 NZ$203
$112 NZ$185
9.98%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Dunedin
Nelson
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$879 NZ$1,450
$967 NZ$1,594
-9.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$774 NZ$1,277
$749 NZ$1,235
3.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,512 NZ$2,493
$1,446 NZ$2,384
4.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,344 NZ$2,217
$1,209 NZ$1,994
11.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,880 NZ$4,751
$2,910 NZ$4,799
-1.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,002 NZ$3,303
$2,354 NZ$3,883
-14.95%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Dunedin
Nelson
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,565 NZ$4,230
$2,850 NZ$4,701
-10.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.07
6.82
3.67%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Dunedin: October 28, 2025

Last update for Nelson: October 29, 2025

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