Cost of Living in Nelson - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $959 (excluding rent), and $2,070 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,841 (excluding rent), and $4,206 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$21.03 NZ$36.72

$12.02 NZ$20.99

$45.08 NZ$78.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$84.5 NZ$147

$72.4 NZ$126

$121 NZ$211

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.48 NZ$16.55

$8.88 NZ$15.51

$9.48 NZ$16.55

Cappuccino

$3.2 NZ$5.59

$2.96 NZ$5.17

$3.56 NZ$6.21

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

$2.57 NZ$4.49

$2.08 NZ$3.63

$2.97 NZ$5.18

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.75 NZ$4.8

$2.44 NZ$4.27

$3.05 NZ$5.33

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.27 NZ$12.69

$3.02 NZ$5.28

$8.48 NZ$14.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.09 NZ$10.63

$4.26 NZ$7.44

$7.31 NZ$12.77

Milk (1 liter)

$2.33 NZ$4.06

$1.13 NZ$1.97

$4.14 NZ$7.23

White Bread (500g)

$2.21 NZ$3.85

$1.76 NZ$3.07

$2.52 NZ$4.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.25 NZ$3.93

$1.48 NZ$2.59

$4.15 NZ$7.25

Eggs

$5.96 NZ$10.41

$4.69 NZ$8.19

$7.04 NZ$12.3

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.04 NZ$17.53

$7.86 NZ$13.73

$12.09 NZ$21.12

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.87 NZ$13.75

$5.37 NZ$9.38

$13.72 NZ$23.96

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.3 NZ$28.45

$12.3 NZ$21.47

$21.52 NZ$37.57

Apples (1kg)

$3.52 NZ$6.15

$2.38 NZ$4.15

$5.36 NZ$9.35

Banana (1kg)

$2.63 NZ$4.59

$2.48 NZ$4.32

$3.09 NZ$5.4

Oranges (1kg)

$3.01 NZ$5.25

$2.08 NZ$3.63

$4.75 NZ$8.29

Tomato (1kg)

$6.66 NZ$11.64

$3.03 NZ$5.28

$9.09 NZ$15.87

Potato (1kg)

$3.87 NZ$6.76

$1.55 NZ$2.71

$4.95 NZ$8.64

Onion (1kg)

$2.51 NZ$4.38

$1.2 NZ$2.09

$4.78 NZ$8.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 NZ$4.4

$1.78 NZ$3.11

$3.56 NZ$6.22

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.29 NZ$2.25

$0.92 NZ$1.6

$1.85 NZ$3.23

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$30.52 NZ$53.3

$24.42 NZ$42.64

$36.63 NZ$64

Wine (Bottle)

$9.48 NZ$16.55

$7.8 NZ$13.63

$13.94 NZ$24.35

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.18 NZ$5.55

$1.11 NZ$1.95

$4.88 NZ$8.52

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.4 NZ$7.68

$2.35 NZ$4.1

$5.87 NZ$10.25

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.46 NZ$4.29

$2.76 NZ$4.83

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.2 NZ$110

$8.03 NZ$14.02

$63.2 NZ$110

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.1 NZ$7.15

$2.34 NZ$4.08

$7.03 NZ$12.27

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 NZ$3.2

$1.47 NZ$2.57

$2.82 NZ$4.92

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.65 NZ$62.2

$30.47 NZ$53.2

$36.57 NZ$63.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.68 NZ$2.93

$1.32 NZ$2.31

$1.8 NZ$3.14

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

$18.5K NZ$32.3K

$15.2K NZ$26.5K

$21.8K NZ$38.1K

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

$22K NZ$38.4K

$19.6K NZ$34.3K

$22.6K NZ$39.5K

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

$214 NZ$375

$87.9 NZ$153

$319 NZ$557

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

$36.17 NZ$63.2

$18.28 NZ$31.91

$48.74 NZ$85.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.91 NZ$85.4

$41.49 NZ$72.5

$56.3 NZ$98.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.55 NZ$86.5

$13.52 NZ$23.61

$111 NZ$193

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.92 NZ$36.54

$5.98 NZ$10.44

$35.88 NZ$62.7

Cinema Ticket

$9.74 NZ$17.01

$8.85 NZ$15.45

$13.58 NZ$23.71

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

$484 NZ$845

$363 NZ$633

$605 NZ$1,056

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.8K NZ$20.7K

$10.1K NZ$17.6K

$14.8K NZ$25.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60 NZ$105

$42.03 NZ$73.4

$108 NZ$189

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$67.5 NZ$118

$30.68 NZ$53.6

$110 NZ$193

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$130 NZ$227

$83.6 NZ$146

$179 NZ$313

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 NZ$190

$65.2 NZ$114

$296 NZ$517

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$993 NZ$1,734

$490 NZ$856

$1,471 NZ$2,569

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$729 NZ$1,273

$359 NZ$626

$1,076 NZ$1,879

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,410 NZ$2,462

$538 NZ$939

$2,867 NZ$5,007

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,205 NZ$2,104

$426 NZ$744

$2,191 NZ$3,825

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,901 NZ$5,066

$1,043 NZ$1,822

$6,211 NZ$10.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,359 NZ$4,119

$874 NZ$1,526

$5,329 NZ$9,304

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,831 NZ$4,942

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.82

6.5

6.89

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 Nelson - Frequently Asked Questions

Nelson tends to offer a balanced mix of lifestyle and cost. You will find that the Cost of Living in Nelson, New Zealand can feel reasonable when you compare access to nature, safety, and a compact city feel with expenses tied to waterfront proximity. Housing options range from practical rentals to more premium stays, and you can trim costs by choosing smaller spaces, negotiating longer-term leases, or staying outside peak seasons. Daily needs like groceries and transport are manageable with a plan, especially if you combine grocery shopping at local markets with home cooking. Tip: Map a short-term base first and test neighborhoods before committing.

In Nelson, you will notice day-to-day life balances practicality with lifestyle. Housing search tends to reward flexibility: central apartments near the marina can be pricier than suburban rentals in Stoke or Tahunanui, so you might browse a few neighborhoods before locking in. If you rely on co-working spaces, Nelson offers several options near the city center and in seaside suburbs. Food options range from farmers markets to cafe meals; cooking at home and buying seasonal produce keeps costs predictable. Transport is approachable by bike, bus, and foot, with car sharing a reasonable option for weekend trips. Nelson, New Zealand living cost balances comfort and economy when you prioritize location, transit, and longer-term leases. Tip: Set a budget envelope for flexible travel and seasonal activities.

Budgeting for quality of life in Nelson means focusing on priorities and seasonal shifts. A simple framework is to allocate blocks for housing, groceries, dining out, and local activities, then adjust with the seasons. Summer brings more outdoor events and slightly higher energy needs, while winter tends to be milder. To fit a neighborhood, consider scale and access: central Nelson offers walkable amenities, while Stoke or Tahunanui provide more space and beach access for a calmer pace. Look for long-term leases, join community groups, and shop at farmers markets to stretch every dollar. Tip: test a couple of neighborhoods during different months before settling in.