Last update: Oct 2026 Australia 9.6K

Cost of Living in Nowra NSW

For one person, living costs in Nowra NSW are estimated at $2,649 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than half of the total. Other living expenses average about $38 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nowra NSW

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Nowra NSW actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $2,649 per month with rent, or $1,159 for everyday expenses alone.

$2,649 /mo

A couple spends around $3,808 per month with rent, or $2,020 for everyday expenses alone.

$3,808 /mo

A family of three spends around $4,968 per month with rent, or $2,880 without housing.

$4,968 /mo

Overall, Nowra NSW is 75–95% above the global median across household types. Within Oceania, costs are 39% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.83 A$29.73
$13.88 A$19.81
$27.77 A$39.63
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$89.7 A$128
$61.2 A$87.4
$125 A$179
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.57 A$15.09
$9.87 A$14.08
$10.57 A$15.09
Cappuccino
$4.04 A$5.77
$3.25 A$4.64
$4.49 A$6.41
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09 A$4.42
$2.72 A$3.88
$4.19 A$5.98
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 A$3.57
$2.05 A$2.92
$2.73 A$3.89
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.65 A$12.35
$7.21 A$10.30
$10.83 A$15.45
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.96 A$14.22
$7.11 A$10.15
$13.51 A$19.28
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.29 A$1.84
$1.07 A$1.53
$2.15 A$3.06
White Bread (500g)
$2.99 A$4.27
$2.13 A$3.04
$4.97 A$7.10
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.57 A$3.67
$1.26 A$1.81
$3.52 A$5.03
Eggs
$5.28 A$7.54
$4.04 A$5.77
$8.39 A$11.98
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.82 A$16.88
$6.95 A$9.93
$22.96 A$32.76
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.72 A$13.87
$8.22 A$11.74
$17.14 A$24.47
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.33 A$21.88
$9.79 A$13.97
$24.46 A$34.92
Apples (1kg)
$4.00 A$5.71
$3.16 A$4.51
$4.92 A$7.03
Banana (1kg)
$3.21 A$4.58
$2.12 A$3.03
$7.08 A$10.10
Oranges (1kg)
$3.47 A$4.95
$2.41 A$3.44
$6.90 A$9.85
Tomato (1kg)
$5.02 A$7.17
$2.77 A$3.96
$6.95 A$9.91
Potato (1kg)
$3.15 A$4.49
$2.11 A$3.01
$4.23 A$6.04
Onion (1kg)
$2.87 A$4.09
$1.79 A$2.56
$3.95 A$5.64
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.48 A$3.55
$2.00 A$2.86
$3.39 A$4.84
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.39 A$1.99
$0.64 A$0.91
$2.85 A$4.06
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$44.62 A$63.7
$34.87 A$49.77
$47.42 A$67.7
Wine (Bottle)
$13.82 A$19.72
$8.99 A$12.83
$17.27 A$24.65
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.59 A$6.55
$2.72 A$3.88
$5.45 A$7.78
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.49 A$7.84
$4.85 A$6.92
$5.89 A$8.40
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.69 A$3.85
$1.58 A$2.25
$3.44 A$4.91
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$81.1 A$116
$47.29 A$67.5
$81.1 A$116
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.06 A$5.79
$4.06 A$5.79
$5.24 A$7.48
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.59 A$2.27
$1.59 A$2.27
$3.12 A$4.45
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$43.76 A$62.5
$43.76 A$62.5
$43.76 A$62.5
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 A$1.87
$1.11 A$1.58
$1.53 A$2.19
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8K A$39.7K
$26.9K A$38.4K
$29.2K A$41.7K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K A$37.5K
$24.6K A$35.0K
$26.3K A$37.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$183 A$262
$126 A$180
$211 A$301
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.16 A$38.76
$10.63 A$15.18
$42.52 A$60.7
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.6 A$80.8
$49.79 A$71.1
$64.0 A$91.4
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$53.5 A$76.3
$19.48 A$27.81
$53.5 A$76.3
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.21 A$21.70
$6.60 A$9.42
$15.21 A$21.70
Cinema Ticket
$15.48 A$22.09
$13.75 A$19.62
$17.19 A$24.54
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,496 A$3,562
$2,326 A$3,320
$2,894 A$4,131
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.2K A$28.8K
$11.2K A$16.0K
$29.3K A$41.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.4 A$110
$56.5 A$80.6
$91.7 A$131
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.0 A$80.0
$34.05 A$48.59
$66.0 A$94.2
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$107 A$153
$83.9 A$120
$157 A$224
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$135 A$192
$91.6 A$131
$178 A$253
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,293 A$1,846
$1,035 A$1,477
$1,423 A$2,031
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,307 A$1,865
$967 A$1,381
$1,466 A$2,093
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,454 A$3,502
$1,832 A$2,614
$2,938 A$4,194
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,904 A$2,718
$1,468 A$2,096
$2,135 A$3,048
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,702 A$9,566
$4,254 A$6,072
$6,983 A$9,967
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,378 A$7,676
$3,663 A$5,229
$5,378 A$7,676
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.95
5.5
6.5

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

Last update: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Nowra NSW $2,649
Accommodation & Living
$1.3K
Groceries & Markets
$386
Eating Out
$332
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$267
Clothing & Footwear
$169
Getting Around
$104
Sport & Entertainment
$84

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $386 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $90 – above the Oceanian average of $57.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $81 – roughly in line with the Oceanian average of $76.

Cost Highlights

Nowra NSW has the 7th most expensive preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child in Oceania

Local beer is more expensive than 93% of cities in Oceania

Milk is cheaper than 90% of cities in Oceania

Good to know
🕒 Local time
16:55 4:55 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,598
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to AUD – Australian Dollar Converter

Australian Dollar exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 1.43 AUD (1 AUD = 0.701 USD). 1 EUR = 1.6 AUD (1 AUD = 0.625 EUR).

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Nowra NSW - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Nowra fare in terms of overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find it good value?
Nowra sits between coastal leisure and everyday practicality, offering a pace that appeals to long stays as well as short hops. Cost of Living in [location] is often described as balanced, with space and nature offsetting some convenience gaps found in bigger cities. You’ll find a mix of housing options and modest daily costs for groceries and dining, especially away from the tourist pockets. Those seeking year‑round community and a quieter base near beaches may discover good value here, while others who need nonstop city‑grade amenities might pace expectations differently. Tip: explore a few neighborhoods for a week to test value in daily life.
What does daily life look like in Nowra, in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Housing search tends to balance space with affordability, mixing older homes and a few newer rentals across North Nowra, Bomaderry, and nearby coastal pockets. Local groceries cover everyday needs with weekly farmers’ markets offering fresh produce. Transport relies on a regional bus network and car access; the nearby Bomaderry rail link helps trips to Sydney for bigger city errands or weekend breaks. Co-working spots and cafes provide work-friendly options for remote tasks. For quick budgeting context, [Nowra NSW, Australia] living cost sits at a moderate level compared with larger metro areas. Tip: scout 2–3 neighborhoods by visiting at different times of day.
How can you optimize quality of life in Nowra through budgeting, neighborhood fit, seasonality, and local tips?
Frame your finances with a simple budgeting framework like a 50/30/20 approach to housing, essentials, and leisure, then tailor it to your daily rhythm. Neighborhood fit matters: North Nowra for family-friendly streets, West Nowra for newer homes, and Bomaderry for rail access; consider proximity to beaches if you’ll ride out summer crowds. Seasonality brings busier weekends and varying accommodation demand, so plan longer stays during shoulder seasons when possible. Local tips: barter for longer‑term stays, favor smaller groceries over tourist hubs, and choose a base with good walking routes to cafes and errands. Tip: build a flexible schedule that balances work, nature, and social time.
What are the monthly living expenses in Nowra NSW as of 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Nowra NSW should plan on about $2,649 per month with rent, or $1,159 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
Why is Nowra NSW so expensive compared to other cities?
There’s no getting around it – Nowra NSW is expensive. Monthly costs with rent typically hit $2,649, and housing is the biggest culprit.
What income do you need to cover all expenses in Nowra NSW?
You’ll want at least $3,974 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Nowra NSW. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
How expensive is preschool in Nowra NSW per month?
Private kindergarten in Nowra NSW costs about $2,496 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options, where they exist, are usually cheaper.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Nowra NSW?
Gym memberships in Nowra NSW cost about $53 per month. Premium chains and boutique studios charge more, and working out outdoors costs nothing if you’d rather skip the fee.
Does $3,000 cover living expenses in Nowra NSW?
$3,000 covers the $2,649 average monthly cost in Nowra NSW, though without much to spare. A moderate apartment, home cooking, and public transport keep you within budget; saving takes some discipline.
What are the pros and cons of living in Nowra NSW?
Quality of life in Nowra NSW is genuinely good – highlights include low crime rates, clean air, and monthly costs hover around $2,649.

Nowra NSW vs other spots: cost of living compared

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