Cost of Living in Nowra NSW - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $2,194 per month with rent, or $1,043 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $3,279 per month with rent, or $1,727 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $4,363 per month with rent, or $2,411 without housing.

Overall, Nowra NSW is 54–64% above the global median across household types. Within Oceania, costs are slightly above average (9%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.14 A$22.49
$12.92 A$18.00
$20.66 A$28.79
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$93.8 A$131
$64.7 A$90.2
$104 A$144
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.67 A$12.08
$8.00 A$11.15
$11.35 A$15.82
Cappuccino
$3.38 A$4.71
$2.58 A$3.59
$3.86 A$5.38
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62 A$3.64
$2.62 A$3.64
$3.27 A$4.56
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 A$2.95
$1.66 A$2.32
$2.65 A$3.70
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.36 A$8.87
$5.09 A$7.09
$11.46 A$15.97
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.40 A$8.92
$4.48 A$6.24
$7.68 A$10.70
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.35 A$1.88
$0.99 A$1.38
$1.84 A$2.57
White Bread (500g)
$2.34 A$3.26
$1.62 A$2.25
$3.23 A$4.50
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.12 A$2.95
$1.28 A$1.79
$3.20 A$4.46
Eggs
$3.76 A$5.24
$2.57 A$3.58
$4.62 A$6.44
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.35 A$13.03
$6.65 A$9.26
$13.31 A$18.54
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.66 A$10.68
$6.46 A$9.00
$9.06 A$12.62
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.14 A$19.71
$8.35 A$11.64
$18.64 A$25.97
Apples (1kg)
$3.27 A$4.55
$2.65 A$3.70
$3.92 A$5.46
Banana (1kg)
$2.72 A$3.79
$2.34 A$3.26
$3.34 A$4.65
Oranges (1kg)
$2.69 A$3.75
$1.64 A$2.29
$3.93 A$5.48
Tomato (1kg)
$3.81 A$5.31
$3.26 A$4.54
$4.65 A$6.48
Potato (1kg)
$2.61 A$3.63
$1.90 A$2.64
$3.16 A$4.41
Onion (1kg)
$2.21 A$3.08
$1.66 A$2.31
$2.59 A$3.60
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.13 A$2.97
$1.78 A$2.48
$2.63 A$3.66
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08 A$1.50
$0.60 A$0.84
$1.32 A$1.85
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$29.21 A$40.70
$25.95 A$36.16
$38.93 A$54.3
Wine (Bottle)
$14.75 A$20.56
$10.64 A$14.83
$18.44 A$25.70
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.04 A$5.63
$2.55 A$3.55
$6.37 A$8.88
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18 A$4.43
$1.99 A$2.77
$3.98 A$5.54
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 A$3.53
$1.84 A$2.57
$3.17 A$4.41
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.1 A$90.7
$22.78 A$31.75
$65.1 A$90.7
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 A$3.16
$1.94 A$2.70
$3.18 A$4.43
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.73 A$2.42
$1.52 A$2.12
$3.05 A$4.25
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$37.33 A$52.0
$36.17 A$50.4
$38.48 A$53.6
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 A$1.56
$0.96 A$1.34
$1.28 A$1.78
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.9K A$40.2K
$23.6K A$32.8K
$28.9K A$40.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7K A$30.3K
$21.7K A$30.3K
$22.9K A$31.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 A$262
$77.4 A$108
$387 A$539
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.47 A$41.07
$16.37 A$22.81
$45.84 A$63.9
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.8 A$80.5
$52.8 A$73.6
$66.0 A$92.0
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.26 A$68.6
$19.71 A$27.47
$59.1 A$82.4
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.41 A$21.48
$7.66 A$10.68
$15.41 A$21.48
Cinema Ticket
$12.61 A$17.57
$9.71 A$13.53
$19.40 A$27.04
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$896 A$1,249
$640 A$892
$1,152 A$1,605
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K A$16.5K
$6,419 A$8,944
$17.3K A$24.1K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.2 A$108
$65.7 A$91.6
$98.6 A$137
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.93 A$61.2
$19.17 A$26.71
$63.9 A$89.1
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$92.7 A$129
$79.4 A$111
$166 A$231
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 A$154
$52.9 A$73.7
$165 A$230
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,271 A$1,771
$1,047 A$1,459
$1,341 A$1,869
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 A$1,503
$671 A$935
$1,200 A$1,673
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,018 A$2,813
$1,628 A$2,268
$2,474 A$3,448
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,698 A$2,366
$1,316 A$1,833
$1,973 A$2,750
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,362 A$7,473
$4,405 A$6,139
$6,039 A$8,415
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,914 A$8,241
$4,100 A$5,713
$6,601 A$9,198
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.75
6.5
7.5

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

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $321 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $94.0 – above the Oceanian average of $57.0.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $65.1 – roughly in line with the Oceanian average of $58.0.

Cost Highlights

Gasoline is cheaper than 95% of cities in Oceania

Three-course dinner for two, mid-range is more expensive than 92% of cities in Oceania

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
City tags:
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 $2,194 per month with rent, or $1,043 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
Is Nowra NSW affordable on an average income?
Nowra NSW sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $2,194, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
What income do you need to cover all expenses in Nowra NSW?
You'll want at least $3,291 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.
Are apartments reasonably priced in Nowra NSW?
Rent in Nowra NSW is middle-of-the-road – 1-bedroom apartments fall between $1,078 and $1,271 per month. Not cheap, not outrageous, with reasonable options across most neighborhoods.
How expensive is preschool in Nowra NSW per month?
Private kindergarten in Nowra NSW costs about $896 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Nowra NSW?
Expect to pay about $49.26 per month for a gym in Nowra NSW – on par with the regional average. That typically gets you weights, cardio machines, and group classes. Boutique studios, yoga centers, and personal trainers charge extra.
Does $3,000 cover living expenses in Nowra NSW?
$3,000 is below the $2,194 average in Nowra NSW, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
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 $2,194. Day-to-day life is well-rounded: decent infrastructure, varied dining and entertainment, and a generally positive atmosphere.

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