Cost of Living in New Plymouth - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $946 (excluding rent), and $1,845 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,520 (excluding rent), and $3,754 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.28 NZ$26.68

$10.7 NZ$18.68

$15.28 NZ$26.68

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.6 NZ$139

$73.4 NZ$128

$82 NZ$143

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.75 NZ$18.77

$9.21 NZ$16.08

$12.29 NZ$21.45

Cappuccino

$3.74 NZ$6.53

$3.02 NZ$5.28

$4.84 NZ$8.46

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

$2.34 NZ$4.09

$2.14 NZ$3.74

$2.45 NZ$4.27

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 NZ$3.46

$1.79 NZ$3.12

$2.08 NZ$3.63

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.34 NZ$9.32

$4.26 NZ$7.45

$6.09 NZ$10.64

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.07 NZ$12.35

$5.31 NZ$9.26

$8.83 NZ$15.42

Milk (1 liter)

$2.04 NZ$3.56

$1.14 NZ$1.99

$2.43 NZ$4.24

White Bread (500g)

$1.53 NZ$2.67

$1.15 NZ$2.02

$1.53 NZ$2.67

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.73 NZ$3.02

$1.41 NZ$2.46

$2.2 NZ$3.83

Eggs

$6.17 NZ$10.78

$5.38 NZ$9.39

$7.17 NZ$12.52

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.52 NZ$13.13

$6.06 NZ$10.58

$9.08 NZ$15.86

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.29 NZ$23.2

$7.84 NZ$13.69

$18.11 NZ$31.62

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.09 NZ$22.86

$11.67 NZ$20.37

$14.11 NZ$24.64

Apples (1kg)

$2.1 NZ$3.66

$0.78 NZ$1.35

$2.69 NZ$4.7

Banana (1kg)

$1.98 NZ$3.46

$1.79 NZ$3.12

$2.08 NZ$3.64

Oranges (1kg)

$3.26 NZ$5.69

$2.15 NZ$3.75

$3.68 NZ$6.43

Tomato (1kg)

$6.54 NZ$11.42

$3.51 NZ$6.13

$8.95 NZ$15.62

Potato (1kg)

$2.52 NZ$4.39

$1.72 NZ$3

$3.53 NZ$6.16

Onion (1kg)

$1.63 NZ$2.84

$1.2 NZ$2.1

$1.79 NZ$3.12

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.96 NZ$3.43

$1.4 NZ$2.45

$2.43 NZ$4.24

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.43 NZ$2.5

$0.49 NZ$0.86

$3.1 NZ$5.41

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$20.89 NZ$36.48

$17.91 NZ$31.28

$23.88 NZ$41.7

Wine (Bottle)

$7.8 NZ$13.62

$6.68 NZ$11.66

$13.92 NZ$24.31

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.86 NZ$6.74

$1.75 NZ$3.05

$6.12 NZ$10.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.46 NZ$7.78

$1.47 NZ$2.58

$9.2 NZ$16.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.77 NZ$3.1

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.1 NZ$110

$8.02 NZ$14

$63.1 NZ$110

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.84 NZ$3.22

$3.07 NZ$5.36

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.4 NZ$5.94

$2.27 NZ$3.96

$4.54 NZ$7.92

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$36.39 NZ$63.5

$30.32 NZ$53

$36.39 NZ$63.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.67 NZ$2.92

$1.66 NZ$2.9

$1.69 NZ$2.95

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

$47.4K NZ$82.7K

$23.1K NZ$40.3K

$47.4K NZ$82.7K

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

$23.9K NZ$41.7K

$19.7K NZ$34.4K

$23.9K NZ$41.7K

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

$208 NZ$362

$88.2 NZ$154

$208 NZ$362

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

$29.9 NZ$52.2

$17.94 NZ$31.32

$47.83 NZ$83.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.52 NZ$53.3

$66.5 NZ$116

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.96 NZ$78.5

$41.97 NZ$73.3

$47.96 NZ$83.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.03 NZ$21

$4.81 NZ$8.39

$15.64 NZ$27.31

Cinema Ticket

$11.21 NZ$19.58

$10.75 NZ$18.78

$11.68 NZ$20.4

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

$744 NZ$1,299

$426 NZ$744

$1,058 NZ$1,847

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.2K NZ$21.4K

$10.4K NZ$18.2K

$15.3K NZ$26.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$89.1 NZ$156

$41.56 NZ$72.6

$101 NZ$176

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.29 NZ$63.4

$24.2 NZ$42.25

$60.5 NZ$106

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.1 NZ$128

$122 NZ$213

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$66 NZ$115

$210 NZ$366

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$735 NZ$1,284

$231 NZ$404

$1,060 NZ$1,851

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$686 NZ$1,199

$215 NZ$376

$983 NZ$1,717

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,369 NZ$2,390

$335 NZ$584

$1,947 NZ$3,399

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,162 NZ$2,029

$268 NZ$468

$1,669 NZ$2,914

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,145 NZ$5,491

$2,688 NZ$4,693

$3,602 NZ$6,290

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,563 NZ$4,475

$2,422 NZ$4,230

$2,703 NZ$4,719

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,176 NZ$3,799

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: November 24, 2025

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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.