Cost of Living in Invercargill - Updated Prices & Insights

37.03

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $864 (excluding rent), and $1,539 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,132 (excluding rent), and $3,396 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.28 NZ$20.25

$9.2 NZ$15.18

$36.84 NZ$60.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$72.2 NZ$119

$60.1 NZ$99.2

$180 NZ$298

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.64 NZ$14.24

$12.34 NZ$20.35

Cappuccino

$3.38 NZ$5.57

$2.38 NZ$3.92

$7.15 NZ$11.79

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

$1.69 NZ$2.79

$1.49 NZ$2.46

$2.97 NZ$4.9

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.44 NZ$2.37

$1.08 NZ$1.78

$2.39 NZ$3.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.16 NZ$10.16

$3.07 NZ$5.07

$12.32 NZ$20.31

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.93 NZ$8.13

$3.08 NZ$5.07

$9.24 NZ$15.24

Milk (1 liter)

$1.45 NZ$2.4

$1.1 NZ$1.82

$2.96 NZ$4.88

White Bread (500g)

$1.82 NZ$3

$1.24 NZ$2.04

$2.96 NZ$4.88

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.8 NZ$2.97

$0.99 NZ$1.63

$2.48 NZ$4.09

Eggs

$5.56 NZ$9.17

$2.36 NZ$3.89

$7.14 NZ$11.78

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.02 NZ$13.23

$5.74 NZ$9.47

$10.84 NZ$17.88

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.49 NZ$15.64

$6.12 NZ$10.09

$13.46 NZ$22.2

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.54 NZ$22.33

$8.51 NZ$14.04

$15.82 NZ$26.09

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 NZ$4.53

$1.54 NZ$2.54

$3.57 NZ$5.88

Banana (1kg)

$2.27 NZ$3.74

$1.96 NZ$3.23

$2.8 NZ$4.62

Oranges (1kg)

$2.55 NZ$4.21

$1.77 NZ$2.92

$3.83 NZ$6.32

Tomato (1kg)

$3.65 NZ$6.03

$2.37 NZ$3.9

$8.29 NZ$13.67

Potato (1kg)

$1.97 NZ$3.25

$1.22 NZ$2.02

$6.09 NZ$10.05

Onion (1kg)

$1.76 NZ$2.91

$1.12 NZ$1.85

$2.37 NZ$3.91

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.58 NZ$4.25

$1.24 NZ$2.05

$3.41 NZ$5.62

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.1 NZ$1.82

$0.61 NZ$1

$2.43 NZ$4.02

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$22.03 NZ$36.34

$14.92 NZ$24.61

$29.86 NZ$49.24

Wine (Bottle)

$8.9 NZ$14.68

$7.72 NZ$12.73

$11.88 NZ$19.59

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.23 NZ$6.97

$3.09 NZ$5.09

$6.18 NZ$10.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 NZ$6.09

$1.34 NZ$2.22

$7.43 NZ$12.25

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.6 NZ$2.64

$1.35 NZ$2.23

$1.84 NZ$3.04

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.3 NZ$104

$8.04 NZ$13.27

$63.3 NZ$104

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.46 NZ$4.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.86 NZ$3.07

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.87 NZ$49.27

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.71 NZ$2.82

$1.66 NZ$2.74

$1.74 NZ$2.87

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

$25.8K NZ$42.5K

$21.2K NZ$35K

$30.3K NZ$50K

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

$20.1K NZ$33.1K

$18.2K NZ$30.1K

$21.9K NZ$36.1K

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

$99.6 NZ$164

$67 NZ$111

$177 NZ$293

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

$35.46 NZ$58.5

$17.92 NZ$29.55

$38.81 NZ$64

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$50.3 NZ$83

$42.68 NZ$70.4

$70.1 NZ$116

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.38 NZ$48.45

$23.98 NZ$39.55

$38.96 NZ$64.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.19 NZ$20.1

$4.87 NZ$8.03

$15.84 NZ$26.13

Cinema Ticket

$9.68 NZ$15.96

$8.46 NZ$13.96

$12.09 NZ$19.95

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

$584 NZ$963

$542 NZ$893

$626 NZ$1,032

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.1K NZ$18.2K

$9,399 NZ$15.5K

$13.8K NZ$22.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.3 NZ$109

$48.21 NZ$79.5

$90.4 NZ$149

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.47 NZ$58.5

$24.33 NZ$40.13

$48.66 NZ$80.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81 NZ$134

$53.3 NZ$88

$119 NZ$195

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.8 NZ$138

$59.8 NZ$98.7

$150 NZ$247

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$647 NZ$1,067

$243 NZ$400

$970 NZ$1,600

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$597 NZ$985

$196 NZ$324

$859 NZ$1,416

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$876 NZ$1,445

$359 NZ$591

$1,315 NZ$2,168

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,071 NZ$1,767

$970 NZ$1,600

$1,213 NZ$2,000

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,792 NZ$7,903

$2,445 NZ$4,032

$4,792 NZ$7,903

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,639 NZ$6,001

$1,819 NZ$3,001

$5,458 NZ$9,002

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,109 NZ$5,127

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.87

6.29

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

City tags:

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.