Cost of Living in Oamaru - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $872 (excluding rent), and $1,789 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,128 (excluding rent), and $3,632 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.66 NZ$27.48

$8.92 NZ$14.72

$26.78 NZ$44.17

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$72.1 NZ$119

$48.03 NZ$79.2

$99.1 NZ$163

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.67 NZ$15.95

$9.06 NZ$14.94

$12.08 NZ$19.93

Cappuccino

$3.5 NZ$5.78

$2.46 NZ$4.06

$4.31 NZ$7.11

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

$2.31 NZ$3.82

$1.8 NZ$2.97

$2.99 NZ$4.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 NZ$3.4

$1.24 NZ$2.05

$2.78 NZ$4.59

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.21 NZ$11.9

$5.41 NZ$8.92

$9.01 NZ$14.86

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.14 NZ$11.78

$4.76 NZ$7.84

$8.92 NZ$14.71

Milk (1 liter)

$1.82 NZ$3.01

$1.1 NZ$1.81

$3.28 NZ$5.41

White Bread (500g)

$1.14 NZ$1.88

$1.07 NZ$1.77

$3.66 NZ$6.04

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 NZ$1.97

$1.06 NZ$1.75

$2.37 NZ$3.91

Eggs

$3.8 NZ$6.26

$8.54 NZ$14.08

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.08 NZ$13.33

$6.47 NZ$10.68

$14.13 NZ$23.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.31 NZ$15.36

$4.18 NZ$6.89

$11.95 NZ$19.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13 NZ$21.44

$10.31 NZ$17.01

$16.7 NZ$27.54

Apples (1kg)

$2.38 NZ$3.92

$2.08 NZ$3.43

$4.76 NZ$7.84

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 NZ$2.91

$4.3 NZ$7.09

Oranges (1kg)

$3.03 NZ$5

$2.13 NZ$3.51

$4.24 NZ$7

Tomato (1kg)

$5.65 NZ$9.32

$2.39 NZ$3.95

$8.38 NZ$13.82

Potato (1kg)

$1.5 NZ$2.47

$1.2 NZ$1.98

$4.17 NZ$6.88

Onion (1kg)

$1.18 NZ$1.95

$0.88 NZ$1.45

$5.3 NZ$8.74

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.86 NZ$3.07

$4.34 NZ$7.17

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.4 NZ$2.31

$0.58 NZ$0.96

$2.64 NZ$4.35

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$24.11 NZ$39.76

$22.9 NZ$37.76

$27.11 NZ$44.72

Wine (Bottle)

$6.01 NZ$9.9

$14.98 NZ$24.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.71 NZ$6.12

$1.5 NZ$2.48

$7.2 NZ$11.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.03 NZ$8.3

$1.85 NZ$3.05

$8.64 NZ$14.24

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.85 NZ$3.05

$1.19 NZ$1.97

$2.11 NZ$3.48

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$70.3 NZ$116

$8.93 NZ$14.72

$70.3 NZ$116

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.65 NZ$4.37

$1.77 NZ$2.92

$5.9 NZ$9.73

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.7 NZ$2.8

$2.27 NZ$3.74

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.85 NZ$49.23

$17.91 NZ$29.54

$32.83 NZ$54.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.63 NZ$2.69

$1.47 NZ$2.43

$1.71 NZ$2.81

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

$27K NZ$44.5K

$20.4K NZ$33.6K

$31.2K NZ$51.4K

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

$20.2K NZ$33.3K

$18.4K NZ$30.4K

$22.9K NZ$37.8K

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

$118 NZ$195

$61.4 NZ$101

$193 NZ$318

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

$18.02 NZ$29.72

$45.04 NZ$74.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.81 NZ$80.5

$41.48 NZ$68.4

$61 NZ$101

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.4 NZ$60

$16.7 NZ$27.54

$49.22 NZ$81.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.13 NZ$20.01

$4.85 NZ$8

$15.77 NZ$26.02

Cinema Ticket

$11 NZ$18.13

$9.78 NZ$16.13

$13.45 NZ$22.18

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

$651 NZ$1,073

$306 NZ$505

$1,433 NZ$2,363

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,517 NZ$15.7K

$6,774 NZ$11.2K

$14.7K NZ$24.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.4 NZ$98

$46.35 NZ$76.4

$101 NZ$167

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.2 NZ$30.01

$60.7 NZ$100

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.6 NZ$80.2

$45.56 NZ$75.1

$121 NZ$200

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.2 NZ$91.1

$245 NZ$405

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$968 NZ$1,596

$721 NZ$1,189

$1,321 NZ$2,179

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$709 NZ$1,170

$381 NZ$629

$1,031 NZ$1,701

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,687 NZ$2,782

$1,293 NZ$2,132

$2,117 NZ$3,492

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,231 NZ$2,030

$1,069 NZ$1,763

$1,510 NZ$2,490

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,710 NZ$7,768

$2,403 NZ$3,963

$4,710 NZ$7,768

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,988 NZ$4,929

$2,057 NZ$3,393

$3,086 NZ$5,089

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,089 NZ$3,446

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

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Cost of Living in Oamaru - Frequently Asked Questions

In Oamaru, you get a calm, scenic town with easy access to beaches, nature, and a close-knit community, which many travelers, expats, and digital nomads value over high-priced metros. Cost of Living in Oamaru tends to be moderate for everyday needs, with sensible rents in characterful homes and modest dining options. You’ll notice cost relief in groceries, utilities, and local services compared with bigger cities, especially if you avoid seasonal peak draws. It suits those who prioritize quality of life, longer stays, and low commute times. Seasonal events can nudge activity and prices briefly upward, but the overall rhythm remains relaxed. Tip: set a simple weekly budget to compare housing, meals, and transport.

Daily life centers on a compact, pedestrian-friendly core with cafes, markets, and a strong local vibe. For housing, consider period cottages, modern flats, or shared arrangements in residential pockets near the town center or harbor. Food options range from cozy cafes to farmers markets and reliable supermarkets. Transport leans toward walking or cycling for short hops, with a light bus network for longer trips. If you work remotely, there are friendly coworking spaces and quiet corners in libraries or cafes. Oamaru living cost is something to gauge against your chosen lifestyle. Tip: pick a neighborhood that minimizes daily commutes and maximizes access to amenities.

Quality of life comes from balance, safety, and access to sea air, cultural spots, and outdoor recreation. A simple budgeting framework – prioritize housing, groceries, transport, and remote-work essentials – helps you stay flexible as seasons shift. In summer you may enjoy longer outdoor hours and peak activity around markets; in winter, quieter streets and cozy cafes become your routine. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace preference: central pockets for walkability or quieter residential streets for longer stays. Look for long-term rental options and test commutes during different times of day. Tip: explore a few neighborhoods over a short visit before deciding.