Cost of Living in Invercargill - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $822 (excluding rent), and $1,535 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,384 (excluding rent), and $3,373 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.29 NZ$21.46

$9.21 NZ$16.09

$36.87 NZ$64.4

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$71.2 NZ$124

$59.3 NZ$104

$178 NZ$311

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.54 NZ$14.92

$12.21 NZ$21.32

Cappuccino

$3.47 NZ$6.05

$2.44 NZ$4.26

$7.34 NZ$12.81

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

$1.73 NZ$3.03

$1.53 NZ$2.67

$3.05 NZ$5.33

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 NZ$2.5

$1.07 NZ$1.88

$2.38 NZ$4.15

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.17 NZ$10.77

$3.08 NZ$5.38

$12.34 NZ$21.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.72 NZ$8.24

$2.95 NZ$5.14

$8.85 NZ$15.45

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 NZ$2.52

$1.09 NZ$1.9

$2.93 NZ$5.12

White Bread (500g)

$1.8 NZ$3.15

$1.23 NZ$2.14

$2.93 NZ$5.11

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.7 NZ$2.98

$0.94 NZ$1.63

$2.35 NZ$4.1

Eggs

$5.62 NZ$9.82

$2.38 NZ$4.16

$7.22 NZ$12.61

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.05 NZ$14.06

$5.76 NZ$10.06

$10.88 NZ$19

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.51 NZ$16.61

$6.13 NZ$10.71

$13.5 NZ$23.57

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.23 NZ$23.09

$8.32 NZ$14.52

$15.45 NZ$26.98

Apples (1kg)

$2.83 NZ$4.94

$1.58 NZ$2.76

$3.67 NZ$6.41

Banana (1kg)

$2.24 NZ$3.91

$1.94 NZ$3.38

$2.77 NZ$4.83

Oranges (1kg)

$2.55 NZ$4.45

$1.77 NZ$3.09

$3.83 NZ$6.69

Tomato (1kg)

$3.74 NZ$6.53

$2.42 NZ$4.23

$8.48 NZ$14.81

Potato (1kg)

$1.97 NZ$3.44

$1.22 NZ$2.13

$6.08 NZ$10.62

Onion (1kg)

$1.83 NZ$3.19

$1.17 NZ$2.03

$2.46 NZ$4.3

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.55 NZ$4.45

$1.23 NZ$2.15

$3.37 NZ$5.89

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 NZ$1.95

$0.61 NZ$1.07

$2.47 NZ$4.31

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$22.61 NZ$39.48

$15.31 NZ$26.74

$30.64 NZ$53.5

Wine (Bottle)

$8.81 NZ$15.38

$7.63 NZ$13.32

$11.74 NZ$20.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.16 NZ$7.27

$3.04 NZ$5.31

$6.09 NZ$10.64

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 NZ$6.34

$1.32 NZ$2.31

$7.3 NZ$12.74

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.53 NZ$2.67

$1.3 NZ$2.27

$1.77 NZ$3.08

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.4 NZ$111

$8.05 NZ$14.06

$63.4 NZ$111

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.45 NZ$4.29

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.92 NZ$3.36

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.57 NZ$53.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.67 NZ$2.91

$1.62 NZ$2.83

$1.7 NZ$2.97

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

$26.1K NZ$45.6K

$21.5K NZ$37.6K

$30.7K NZ$53.7K

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

$20K NZ$34.9K

$18.2K NZ$31.8K

$21.8K NZ$38.1K

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

$103 NZ$180

$69.2 NZ$121

$183 NZ$320

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

$35.41 NZ$61.8

$17.89 NZ$31.24

$38.76 NZ$67.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$50 NZ$87.4

$42.46 NZ$74.1

$69.8 NZ$122

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.03 NZ$50.7

$23.69 NZ$41.37

$38.5 NZ$67.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.91 NZ$20.79

$4.76 NZ$8.31

$15.48 NZ$27.03

Cinema Ticket

$9.83 NZ$17.17

$8.6 NZ$15.01

$12.29 NZ$21.45

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

$589 NZ$1,028

$546 NZ$954

$631 NZ$1,102

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12K NZ$20.9K

$10.2K NZ$17.7K

$14.9K NZ$26.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.6 NZ$116

$48.4 NZ$84.5

$90.8 NZ$158

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.64 NZ$62.2

$24.44 NZ$42.68

$48.89 NZ$85.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83 NZ$145

$54.7 NZ$95.5

$122 NZ$212

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$84.7 NZ$148

$60.5 NZ$106

$151 NZ$264

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$644 NZ$1,125

$242 NZ$422

$966 NZ$1,687

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$597 NZ$1,042

$196 NZ$342

$858 NZ$1,498

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$879 NZ$1,535

$360 NZ$628

$1,319 NZ$2,303

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,057 NZ$1,845

$957 NZ$1,671

$1,196 NZ$2,089

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,685 NZ$9,926

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,488 NZ$6,091

$1,744 NZ$3,046

$5,233 NZ$9,136

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,676 NZ$4,672

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.87

6.29

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

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Cost of Living in Invercargill - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with larger New Zealand cities, Invercargill often feels budget-friendly for longer stays. For travelers, the Cost of Living in Invercargill tends to be approachable compared with bigger markets, with a range of housing options and predictable utility costs. Groceries and casual dining stay reasonable, and the compact town layout keeps transport and errands easy on your schedule. Seasonal tourism can tweak prices locally, but the overall vibe supports steady budgeting for expats and digital nomads. Tip: Build a simple budget around housing, groceries, and transport to see where you can maximize value.

For housing, start with the central business district and nearby suburbs if you want walkable access to shops and cafes, but consider larger living space in outer areas if you’re staying long. Use online listings and local agents; leases are straightforward, and longer commitments can lower monthly costs. For groceries, you’ll find well-stocked supermarkets and a mix of local markets, with affordable produce and occasional specialty stores. Getting around is practical: most places are reachable by car, bus, or bike, and walking covers many errands. Invercargill living cost varies by lifestyle and neighborhood. Tip: Time your shopping trips and look for seasonal produce to stretch your budget.

Quality of life in Invercargill balances a friendly pace with access to nature, comfortable services, and reasonable living costs. Build a simple budgeting framework around fixed housing, predictable utilities, and discretionary spending. In winter you’ll value heat efficiency and good insulation; in summer you’ll enjoy long daylight hours and outdoor markets. For neighborhoods, look for areas with easy access to groceries, parks, and transport routes to the city center. Savings come from planning meals, buying local produce, and taking advantage of community events and cheaper cafés during weekdays. Transport-wise, a bike-friendly setup and reliable bus routes help cut costs without sacrificing convenience. Tip: Establish a weekly list for groceries and a monthly transit plan to stay on track.