Cost of Living in Oamaru - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $976 (excluding rent), and $1,750 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,121 (excluding rent), and $3,630 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.94 NZ$29.58

$9.07 NZ$15.84

$27.22 NZ$47.54

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$71.4 NZ$125

$47.58 NZ$83.1

$98.1 NZ$171

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.48 NZ$16.56

$8.88 NZ$15.51

$11.85 NZ$20.69

Cappuccino

$3.38 NZ$5.91

$2.38 NZ$4.15

$4.16 NZ$7.27

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

$2.32 NZ$4.05

$1.8 NZ$3.14

$2.99 NZ$5.23

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 NZ$3.58

$1.23 NZ$2.16

$2.76 NZ$4.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.43 NZ$12.98

$5.58 NZ$9.74

$9.28 NZ$16.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.05 NZ$12.3

$4.69 NZ$8.19

$8.8 NZ$15.36

Milk (1 liter)

$1.8 NZ$3.14

$1.08 NZ$1.89

$3.24 NZ$5.66

White Bread (500g)

$1.15 NZ$2.02

$1.08 NZ$1.89

$3.7 NZ$6.46

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 NZ$2.08

$1.06 NZ$1.85

$2.37 NZ$4.14

Eggs

$3.84 NZ$6.7

$8.63 NZ$15.07

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.41 NZ$14.69

$6.74 NZ$11.76

$14.7 NZ$25.68

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.43 NZ$16.47

$4.23 NZ$7.39

$12.1 NZ$21.13

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.02 NZ$22.74

$10.33 NZ$18.04

$16.73 NZ$29.2

Apples (1kg)

$2.35 NZ$4.11

$2.06 NZ$3.6

$4.71 NZ$8.22

Banana (1kg)

$1.83 NZ$3.19

$4.47 NZ$7.8

Oranges (1kg)

$3.06 NZ$5.34

$2.15 NZ$3.75

$4.28 NZ$7.48

Tomato (1kg)

$5.6 NZ$9.78

$2.37 NZ$4.14

$8.31 NZ$14.51

Potato (1kg)

$1.55 NZ$2.71

$1.24 NZ$2.17

$4.33 NZ$7.56

Onion (1kg)

$1.23 NZ$2.15

$0.92 NZ$1.6

$5.54 NZ$9.67

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.79 NZ$3.13

$4.18 NZ$7.29

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 NZ$2.48

$0.59 NZ$1.03

$2.67 NZ$4.67

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$23.72 NZ$41.42

$22.53 NZ$39.35

$26.68 NZ$46.59

Wine (Bottle)

$5.78 NZ$10.09

$14.46 NZ$25.25

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.71 NZ$6.49

$1.5 NZ$2.63

$7.21 NZ$12.59

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.96 NZ$8.67

$1.83 NZ$3.19

$8.51 NZ$14.87

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.17 NZ$3.79

$1.4 NZ$2.44

$2.48 NZ$4.33

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64 NZ$112

$8.13 NZ$14.19

$64 NZ$112

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 NZ$4.66

$1.78 NZ$3.11

$5.94 NZ$10.37

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 NZ$3.01

$2.3 NZ$4.01

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.05 NZ$52.5

$18.03 NZ$31.48

$33.05 NZ$57.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.72 NZ$3

$1.55 NZ$2.71

$1.8 NZ$3.14

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

$26.9K NZ$46.9K

$20.3K NZ$35.5K

$31K NZ$54.2K

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

$20.2K NZ$35.2K

$18.4K NZ$32.1K

$22.9K NZ$39.9K

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

$116 NZ$203

$60.3 NZ$105

$189 NZ$330

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

$18.11 NZ$31.63

$45.28 NZ$79.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.59 NZ$83.1

$40.45 NZ$70.6

$59.5 NZ$104

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.67 NZ$64

$16.82 NZ$29.38

$49.59 NZ$86.6

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.03 NZ$21.01

$4.81 NZ$8.4

$15.64 NZ$27.31

Cinema Ticket

$10.83 NZ$18.91

$9.63 NZ$16.81

$13.24 NZ$23.12

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

$636 NZ$1,111

$299 NZ$523

$1,401 NZ$2,446

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,267 NZ$16.2K

$6,596 NZ$11.5K

$14.3K NZ$25K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.3 NZ$107

$47.84 NZ$83.5

$104 NZ$182

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.06 NZ$31.54

$60.2 NZ$105

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.16 NZ$84.1

$45.15 NZ$78.8

$120 NZ$210

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$54.1 NZ$94.5

$241 NZ$420

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$965 NZ$1,685

$718 NZ$1,254

$1,317 NZ$2,300

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$797 NZ$1,391

$428 NZ$747

$1,158 NZ$2,022

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,553 NZ$2,712

$1,190 NZ$2,079

$1,949 NZ$3,404

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,451 NZ$2,533

$1,260 NZ$2,199

$1,779 NZ$3,106

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,236 NZ$7,397

$2,328 NZ$4,065

$4,365 NZ$7,621

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,635 NZ$4,600

$1,785 NZ$3,117

$4,137 NZ$7,223

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,004 NZ$3,499

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

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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.