Cost of Living in Fox Glacier - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $927 (excluding rent), and $1,837 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,344 (excluding rent), and $3,961 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.16 NZ$25

$10.61 NZ$17.5

$27.29 NZ$45.01

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$77.5 NZ$128

$59.6 NZ$98.3

$119 NZ$197

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.85 NZ$16.24

$9.23 NZ$15.22

$12.31 NZ$20.3

Cappuccino

$3.44 NZ$5.67

$2.93 NZ$4.83

$4.19 NZ$6.91

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

$2.32 NZ$3.83

$1.82 NZ$3

$3.02 NZ$4.99

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.01 NZ$3.32

$1.48 NZ$2.43

$2.94 NZ$4.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.22 NZ$11.91

$4.81 NZ$7.93

$9.02 NZ$14.87

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.26 NZ$10.32

$5.37 NZ$8.85

$8.94 NZ$14.74

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 NZ$3.11

$1.23 NZ$2.04

$2.92 NZ$4.81

White Bread (500g)

$2.01 NZ$3.31

$1.16 NZ$1.91

$3.08 NZ$5.08

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.82 NZ$3

$1.15 NZ$1.9

$2.35 NZ$3.88

Eggs

$6.17 NZ$10.18

$4.24 NZ$6.99

$7.87 NZ$12.98

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.33 NZ$13.74

$6.11 NZ$10.08

$12.34 NZ$20.36

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.09 NZ$14.99

$5.72 NZ$9.43

$12.6 NZ$20.79

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.43 NZ$18.85

$8.03 NZ$13.25

$15 NZ$24.74

Apples (1kg)

$2.81 NZ$4.63

$1.24 NZ$2.05

$3.71 NZ$6.12

Banana (1kg)

$2.53 NZ$4.18

$2.06 NZ$3.39

$3.42 NZ$5.64

Oranges (1kg)

$2.94 NZ$4.84

$2.03 NZ$3.35

$4.64 NZ$7.65

Tomato (1kg)

$4.81 NZ$7.93

$2.2 NZ$3.63

$7.55 NZ$12.46

Potato (1kg)

$2.09 NZ$3.44

$1.24 NZ$2.05

$3.72 NZ$6.14

Onion (1kg)

$1.98 NZ$3.26

$0.93 NZ$1.54

$3.11 NZ$5.14

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.25 NZ$3.72

$1.22 NZ$2.02

$3.35 NZ$5.53

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 NZ$1.89

$0.61 NZ$1

$2.44 NZ$4.02

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$24.52 NZ$40.45

$22.07 NZ$36.41

$27.58 NZ$45.5

Wine (Bottle)

$8.89 NZ$14.67

$7.41 NZ$12.22

$11.86 NZ$19.57

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 NZ$4.1

$1.52 NZ$2.5

$5.89 NZ$9.72

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.55 NZ$5.85

$1.47 NZ$2.42

$7.04 NZ$11.61

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.35 NZ$3.88

$1.52 NZ$2.5

$2.69 NZ$4.43

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$61 NZ$101

$7.75 NZ$12.79

$61 NZ$101

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.99 NZ$4.92

$1.99 NZ$3.29

$3.32 NZ$5.47

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.8 NZ$2.97

$1.44 NZ$2.38

$2.77 NZ$4.57

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$32.96 NZ$54.4

$28.18 NZ$46.47

$33.81 NZ$55.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.73 NZ$2.86

$1.61 NZ$2.66

$1.8 NZ$2.98

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

$27.1K NZ$44.7K

$22.5K NZ$37.1K

$28.8K NZ$47.5K

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

$22.1K NZ$36.4K

$19.7K NZ$32.5K

$22.7K NZ$37.4K

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

$158 NZ$260

$98.7 NZ$163

$208 NZ$343

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

$37.87 NZ$62.5

$19.14 NZ$31.56

$51 NZ$84.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$51.6 NZ$85.2

$42.12 NZ$69.5

$65.6 NZ$108

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.5 NZ$60.2

$16.75 NZ$27.62

$49.35 NZ$81.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.01 NZ$19.81

$4.8 NZ$7.92

$15.61 NZ$25.75

Cinema Ticket

$11.01 NZ$18.17

$9.18 NZ$15.14

$15.3 NZ$25.23

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

$749 NZ$1,235

$429 NZ$707

$1,065 NZ$1,756

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.4K NZ$17.2K

$8,840 NZ$14.6K

$13K NZ$21.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70 NZ$115

$43.53 NZ$71.8

$106 NZ$174

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.97 NZ$54.4

$21.1 NZ$34.8

$52.8 NZ$87

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 NZ$170

$78.5 NZ$130

$131 NZ$216

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$120 NZ$198

$68.1 NZ$112

$217 NZ$358

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$986 NZ$1,626

$734 NZ$1,211

$1,346 NZ$2,219

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$770 NZ$1,270

$414 NZ$683

$1,120 NZ$1,847

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 NZ$2,623

$1,219 NZ$2,010

$1,996 NZ$3,291

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,455 NZ$2,399

$1,263 NZ$2,083

$1,784 NZ$2,942

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,687 NZ$7,730

$2,391 NZ$3,944

$4,687 NZ$7,730

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,990 NZ$6,581

$2,746 NZ$4,530

$4,120 NZ$6,795

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,678 NZ$2,768

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.74

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 Fox Glacier - Frequently Asked Questions

Fox Glacier offers a pace and scale that many travelers, expats, and digital nomads find refreshing. Some costs align with rural New Zealand, while others feel higher due to remote location and seasonal demand. If you stay longer or choose modest, well-located options, the balance tilts in your favor compared with bigger cities. For many, proximity to nature and a simpler lifestyle provides value beyond price. Cost of Living in Fox Glacier, New Zealand stays within a reasonable range for a small alpine town when you plan ahead. Tip: Look for longer stays in shoulder seasons to maximize value.

Daily life here blends practicality with nature immersion. Housing options range from short-term rentals and cottages to modest apartments; securing a longer lease can help stabilize costs when tourism peaks. Food options are straightforward: a few supermarkets, a seasonal market, and local producers. Transport usually means a car or rental, though walking and cycling are pleasant in the village core. Co-working exists in a few lodges and cafes with reliable Wi-Fi. Fox Glacier, New Zealand living cost tends to rise with peak season, so plan ahead and book earlier if your stay overlaps busy times. Tip: compare locations a short drive from the glaciers for lower rent without losing access.

Quality of life in Fox Glacier is built on simple routines, outdoor access, and a tight-knit village feel. A practical budgeting framework is to separate needs (housing, groceries, utilities) from flexible costs (dining out, tours, gear). Track seasonal shifts: summers bring longer days and more trail options, winters tend to quiet some businesses but can offer slower, cheaper days for errands. For neighborhood fit, look for areas within a short walk to the village center or near trailheads if you want immediate access to nature. Tip: use a monthly plan that allocates fixed essentials first, then set aside a buffer for gear, activities, and occasional services.