Cost of Living in New Plymouth - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $858 (excluding rent), and $1,829 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,348 (excluding rent), and $3,731 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.98 NZ$26.07

$10.49 NZ$18.25

$14.98 NZ$26.07

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.8 NZ$137

$72.7 NZ$127

$81.2 NZ$141

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.69 NZ$18.61

$9.16 NZ$15.94

$12.22 NZ$21.27

Cappuccino

$3.80 NZ$6.61

$3.07 NZ$5.35

$4.92 NZ$8.57

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

$2.26 NZ$3.92

$2.06 NZ$3.59

$2.35 NZ$4.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 NZ$3.60

$1.86 NZ$3.24

$2.17 NZ$3.78

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.23 NZ$9.09

$4.18 NZ$7.27

$5.97 NZ$10.38

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.18 NZ$12.49

$5.38 NZ$9.36

$8.96 NZ$15.59

Milk (1 liter)

$1.98 NZ$3.45

$1.11 NZ$1.93

$2.36 NZ$4.11

White Bread (500g)

$1.52 NZ$2.65

$1.15 NZ$2.00

$1.52 NZ$2.65

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.83 NZ$3.19

$1.49 NZ$2.60

$2.33 NZ$4.05

Eggs

$6.12 NZ$10.65

$5.33 NZ$9.28

$7.11 NZ$12.38

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.55 NZ$13.14

$6.09 NZ$10.59

$9.13 NZ$15.88

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.14 NZ$22.87

$7.75 NZ$13.49

$17.92 NZ$31.17

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.62 NZ$21.96

$11.25 NZ$19.57

$13.60 NZ$23.67

Apples (1kg)

$2.17 NZ$3.78

$0.80 NZ$1.40

$2.79 NZ$4.85

Banana (1kg)

$1.95 NZ$3.40

$1.76 NZ$3.06

$2.05 NZ$3.57

Oranges (1kg)

$3.25 NZ$5.65

$2.14 NZ$3.72

$3.67 NZ$6.39

Tomato (1kg)

$6.75 NZ$11.74

$3.62 NZ$6.30

$9.23 NZ$16.05

Potato (1kg)

$2.57 NZ$4.48

$1.76 NZ$3.06

$3.61 NZ$6.28

Onion (1kg)

$1.66 NZ$2.90

$1.23 NZ$2.14

$1.83 NZ$3.18

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.97 NZ$3.43

$1.40 NZ$2.44

$2.43 NZ$4.24

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.37 NZ$2.38

$0.47 NZ$0.82

$2.97 NZ$5.16

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$21.45 NZ$37.33

$18.39 NZ$32.00

$24.52 NZ$42.67

Wine (Bottle)

$8.50 NZ$14.79

$6.80 NZ$11.84

$11.33 NZ$19.71

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.88 NZ$6.75

$1.76 NZ$3.05

$6.15 NZ$10.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.28 NZ$7.45

$1.42 NZ$2.46

$8.83 NZ$15.37

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.77 NZ$3.09

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.6 NZ$111

$8.08 NZ$14.05

$63.6 NZ$111

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.80 NZ$3.13

$2.99 NZ$5.20

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.31 NZ$5.76

$2.21 NZ$3.84

$4.42 NZ$7.68

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$36.63 NZ$63.7

$30.52 NZ$53.1

$36.63 NZ$63.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.65 NZ$2.87

$1.64 NZ$2.85

$1.67 NZ$2.91

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

$48.3K NZ$84.0K

$23.5K NZ$40.9K

$48.3K NZ$84.0K

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

$23.9K NZ$41.5K

$19.7K NZ$34.2K

$23.9K NZ$41.5K

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

$214 NZ$372

$90.8 NZ$158

$214 NZ$372

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

$29.98 NZ$52.2

$17.99 NZ$31.30

$47.97 NZ$83.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.53 NZ$53.1

$66.6 NZ$116

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.50 NZ$61.8

$16.56 NZ$28.82

$50.3 NZ$87.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.97 NZ$20.83

$4.78 NZ$8.32

$15.56 NZ$27.08

Cinema Ticket

$10.80 NZ$18.79

$10.35 NZ$18.02

$11.25 NZ$19.57

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

$735 NZ$1,279

$421 NZ$732

$1,045 NZ$1,818

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.9K NZ$20.6K

$10.1K NZ$17.6K

$14.8K NZ$25.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$89.1 NZ$155

$41.56 NZ$72.3

$101 NZ$176

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.72 NZ$63.9

$24.48 NZ$42.59

$61.2 NZ$106

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.1 NZ$124

$118 NZ$206

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$67.5 NZ$117

$215 NZ$374

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$719 NZ$1,251

$227 NZ$394

$1,037 NZ$1,805

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$665 NZ$1,158

$209 NZ$363

$954 NZ$1,659

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,348 NZ$2,346

$330 NZ$574

$1,918 NZ$3,337

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,178 NZ$2,050

$272 NZ$473

$1,692 NZ$2,943

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,319 NZ$5,774

$2,836 NZ$4,935

$3,801 NZ$6,614

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,670 NZ$4,646

$2,524 NZ$4,392

$2,816 NZ$4,900

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,568 NZ$4,468

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.93

6.8

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

Last update: January 10, 2026

New Plymouth Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

205

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in New Plymouth - Frequently Asked Questions

New Plymouth sits on the more affordable side of New Zealand’s major cities, offering a balanced mix of value and lifestyle. You'll find housing options from modern flats to family homes that feel more spacious than you'd expect in a big metro, with rents and purchases generally lower than Auckland or Wellington. Food and services are reliable but often pleasantly modest, especially if you shop at markets and support local producers. Seasonal tourism nudges prices in peak months, but you'll notice predictable living costs and a strong sense of community. Cost of Living in New Plymouth provides a clear budgeting frame. Tip: Track a simple monthly spend you can adjust as seasons change.

Daily life is grounded and practical. In terms of housing, you'll find central apartments within easy reach of the water and town center, with roomier options a short drive away. Groceries range from small local shops to larger supermarkets, and markets or seafood stalls add variety without breaking your budget. Transport is flexible: you can walk or cycle in many neighborhoods, drive when you need to, and a compact bus network covers key routes. For errands, a walkable core makes most essentials reachable on foot. New Plymouth living cost fluctuates with seasons and tourism, so plan accordingly. Tip: Build a simple weekly plan that adapts to peak months.

For a balanced lifestyle, anchor your budget around housing plus flexible spend on food and transport. Use a simple framework – a monthly budget split into housing, groceries, utilities, and leisure, with a small travel or contingency fund. Neighborhood fit matters: the CBD and coastal fringe offer walkable access and social events, while quieter suburbs deliver space and parking. Take advantage of shoulder seasons for outdoor activities, and shop at farmers markets to stretch your dollars. Tap into coworking spaces if you're freelance, and consider weekend trips to nearby attractions to maximize value. Tip: set monthly review points to adjust for changing seasons.