Cost of Living in Gisborne - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $906 (excluding rent), and $1,971 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,497 (excluding rent), and $3,886 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.25 NZ$26.62

$10.67 NZ$18.64

$27.45 NZ$47.93

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.1 NZ$138

$60.9 NZ$106

$122 NZ$213

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.41 NZ$16.43

$8.81 NZ$15.39

$11.76 NZ$20.53

Cappuccino

$3.56 NZ$6.21

$3.03 NZ$5.29

$4.34 NZ$7.57

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

$2.25 NZ$3.93

$1.76 NZ$3.08

$2.93 NZ$5.12

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 NZ$3.62

$1.52 NZ$2.66

$3.03 NZ$5.29

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 NZ$12.28

$4.68 NZ$8.17

$8.78 NZ$15.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.45 NZ$11.26

$5.53 NZ$9.66

$9.21 NZ$16.08

Milk (1 liter)

$1.8 NZ$3.14

$1.18 NZ$2.06

$2.78 NZ$4.86

White Bread (500g)

$1.91 NZ$3.33

$1.1 NZ$1.92

$2.93 NZ$5.12

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.91 NZ$3.33

$1.21 NZ$2.11

$2.47 NZ$4.31

Eggs

$6.17 NZ$10.77

$4.23 NZ$7.39

$7.87 NZ$13.74

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.31 NZ$14.5

$6.09 NZ$10.64

$12.31 NZ$21.49

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.66 NZ$16.87

$6.08 NZ$10.61

$13.39 NZ$23.39

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.93 NZ$22.57

$9.09 NZ$15.87

$16.97 NZ$29.63

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 NZ$4.69

$1.19 NZ$2.07

$3.55 NZ$6.19

Banana (1kg)

$2.25 NZ$3.93

$1.83 NZ$3.19

$3.04 NZ$5.3

Oranges (1kg)

$3.09 NZ$5.39

$2.13 NZ$3.73

$4.88 NZ$8.52

Tomato (1kg)

$4.67 NZ$8.15

$2.14 NZ$3.73

$7.33 NZ$12.8

Potato (1kg)

$1.99 NZ$3.47

$1.18 NZ$2.07

$3.54 NZ$6.19

Onion (1kg)

$1.95 NZ$3.41

$0.92 NZ$1.61

$3.08 NZ$5.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.17 NZ$3.79

$1.18 NZ$2.05

$3.23 NZ$5.64

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.11 NZ$1.94

$0.59 NZ$1.03

$2.36 NZ$4.13

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$24.38 NZ$42.58

$21.95 NZ$38.32

$27.43 NZ$47.89

Wine (Bottle)

$9.43 NZ$16.47

$7.66 NZ$13.38

$14.74 NZ$25.73

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 NZ$4.33

$1.51 NZ$2.64

$5.88 NZ$10.27

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.72 NZ$6.5

$1.54 NZ$2.69

$7.38 NZ$12.89

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.15 NZ$3.76

$1.39 NZ$2.42

$2.46 NZ$4.3

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.1 NZ$110

$8.02 NZ$14

$63.1 NZ$110

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.77 NZ$4.83

$1.85 NZ$3.23

$3.08 NZ$5.37

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 NZ$3.2

$1.47 NZ$2.57

$2.82 NZ$4.92

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.09 NZ$61.3

$30 NZ$52.4

$36 NZ$62.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.67 NZ$2.92

$1.48 NZ$2.59

$1.73 NZ$3.02

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

$27.8K NZ$48.6K

$23.1K NZ$40.3K

$29.6K NZ$51.7K

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

$22.4K NZ$39.1K

$20K NZ$34.9K

$23K NZ$40.2K

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

$143 NZ$249

$89.3 NZ$156

$188 NZ$329

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

$35.67 NZ$62.3

$18.03 NZ$31.47

$48.07 NZ$83.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$51 NZ$89.1

$41.61 NZ$72.7

$64.8 NZ$113

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.47 NZ$65.4

$17.19 NZ$30.02

$50.7 NZ$88.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.95 NZ$20.87

$4.78 NZ$8.34

$15.54 NZ$27.14

Cinema Ticket

$10.94 NZ$19.11

$9.12 NZ$15.92

$15.2 NZ$26.54

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

$726 NZ$1,268

$416 NZ$726

$1,032 NZ$1,802

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.9K NZ$20.8K

$10.1K NZ$17.7K

$14.9K NZ$26K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.9 NZ$120

$42.87 NZ$74.9

$104 NZ$182

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.55 NZ$65.6

$24.03 NZ$41.96

$60.1 NZ$105

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.5 NZ$165

$72 NZ$126

$120 NZ$210

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$118 NZ$205

$66.9 NZ$117

$213 NZ$372

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$951 NZ$1,660

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$884 NZ$1,544

$793 NZ$1,384

$976 NZ$1,704

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,450 NZ$2,531

$1,329 NZ$2,320

$1,570 NZ$2,742

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,345 NZ$2,348

$1,100 NZ$1,921

$1,589 NZ$2,775

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,210 NZ$7,351

$2,313 NZ$4,039

$4,337 NZ$7,573

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,380 NZ$5,902

$2,290 NZ$3,999

$5,307 NZ$9,267

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,370 NZ$7,631

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.

Last update: November 30, 2025

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Cost of Living in Gisborne - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Gisborne, New Zealand tends to be more manageable than in larger cities, offering a relaxed pace with practical options for work and leisure. You’ll find flexible housing around the town center and coastal neighborhoods, accessible groceries, and dining that highlights local produce without the price pressures of bigger metros. The mix of beaches, parks, and amenities supports a balanced lifestyle, especially if you prioritize quality of life over urban hustle. This combination often suits first-time expats and steady remote workers who want community and reliable services. Tip: map out a simple weekly budget that covers housing, food, transport, and occasional experiences.

In Gisborne, you’ll discover a practical rhythm for daily life. Housing clusters near the town center and along the coast, with options from cozy flats to larger apartments that suit longer stays, often with friendly neighborhoods and walkable access to amenities. Food markets emphasize fresh produce, seafood, and seasonal specialties, while casual dining offers local flavors without the overwhelming scale of bigger cities. Transport is convenient for short trips, and you can rely on a car or bike for weekend explorations. Co-working spaces and cafés support focus without isolation. Gisborne, New Zealand living cost stays steady enough to plan ahead. Tip: plan errands in a compact loop to save time and fuel.

Quality of life in Gisborne is shaped by outdoor access, community events, and a pace that suits longer stays. Start with a simple budgeting framework: track housing, groceries, transport, and occasional activities, then adjust with the seasons when crowds shift and markets run differently. Shoulder seasons tend to offer quieter streets and friendlier availability for longer stays or temporary housing. Neighborhood fit matters: coastal pockets deliver a beach-and-café vibe, while inland zones can offer calmer streets and shorter commutes. Practical tips include shopping at farmers markets, joining local groups for shared housing, and testing short-term coworking spots. Tip: tailor your routine to the seasons and choose a neighborhood that minimizes daily commutes.