Cost of Living in Paihia - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $899 (excluding rent), and $1,872 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,227 (excluding rent), and $3,837 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.89 NZ$26

$10.72 NZ$18.72

$26.8 NZ$46.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$36.16 NZ$63.1

$121 NZ$210

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.97 NZ$15.66

$8.37 NZ$14.62

$10.77 NZ$18.8

Cappuccino

$3.49 NZ$6.1

$2.98 NZ$5.2

$4.26 NZ$7.44

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

$2.26 NZ$3.95

$1.77 NZ$3.1

$5.91 NZ$10.32

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.2 NZ$3.85

$1.78 NZ$3.11

$4.74 NZ$8.27

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.13 NZ$12.45

$5.35 NZ$9.33

$8.9 NZ$15.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.22 NZ$12.61

$5.42 NZ$9.46

$10.82 NZ$18.9

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 NZ$3.02

$1.17 NZ$2.05

$2.34 NZ$4.09

White Bread (500g)

$2.12 NZ$3.7

$1.23 NZ$2.15

$3.07 NZ$5.36

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.04 NZ$3.56

$1.25 NZ$2.17

$3.1 NZ$5.41

Eggs

$6.92 NZ$12.07

$4.29 NZ$7.49

$8.83 NZ$15.41

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.72 NZ$15.23

$5.45 NZ$9.52

$12.11 NZ$21.14

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.51 NZ$16.61

$5.99 NZ$10.46

$11.99 NZ$20.93

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.75 NZ$22.27

$7.69 NZ$13.43

$16.56 NZ$28.91

Apples (1kg)

$2.8 NZ$4.89

$1.77 NZ$3.1

$4.13 NZ$7.22

Banana (1kg)

$2.22 NZ$3.87

$1.79 NZ$3.13

$2.98 NZ$5.2

Oranges (1kg)

$3.35 NZ$5.84

$2.45 NZ$4.28

$4.9 NZ$8.56

Tomato (1kg)

$3.99 NZ$6.97

$2.05 NZ$3.59

$5.87 NZ$10.25

Potato (1kg)

$2.01 NZ$3.51

$1.2 NZ$2.09

$3.59 NZ$6.27

Onion (1kg)

$1.65 NZ$2.88

$0.95 NZ$1.66

$2.38 NZ$4.16

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.95 NZ$3.4

$1.22 NZ$2.13

$3.04 NZ$5.3

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.29 NZ$2.25

$0.61 NZ$1.07

$2.46 NZ$4.3

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$25.07 NZ$43.77

$21.48 NZ$37.51

$29.84 NZ$52.1

Wine (Bottle)

$11.26 NZ$19.66

$8.45 NZ$14.75

$14.07 NZ$24.57

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.94 NZ$5.13

$1.52 NZ$2.65

$5.91 NZ$10.31

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.83 NZ$6.69

$1.79 NZ$3.12

$7.15 NZ$12.48

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.17 NZ$3.78

$1.4 NZ$2.44

$2.48 NZ$4.32

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.9 NZ$113

$8.24 NZ$14.39

$64.9 NZ$113

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.86 NZ$3.24

$3.09 NZ$5.39

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.94 NZ$3.38

$1.49 NZ$2.61

$3.77 NZ$6.57

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.59 NZ$60.4

$29.57 NZ$51.6

$35.48 NZ$62

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.61 NZ$2.81

$1.46 NZ$2.56

$1.73 NZ$3.02

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

$27.8K NZ$48.5K

$23.7K NZ$41.3K

$31.9K NZ$55.8K

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

$21.7K NZ$37.9K

$20.7K NZ$36.1K

$22.5K NZ$39.2K

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

$146 NZ$255

$98.6 NZ$172

$214 NZ$374

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

$31.08 NZ$54.3

$12.29 NZ$21.46

$49.17 NZ$85.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.56 NZ$86.5

$39.8 NZ$69.5

$66.8 NZ$117

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.96 NZ$64.5

$16.96 NZ$29.61

$49.98 NZ$87.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.86 NZ$20.71

$4.74 NZ$8.28

$15.42 NZ$26.92

Cinema Ticket

$14.94 NZ$26.09

$10.16 NZ$17.75

$17.94 NZ$31.32

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

$919 NZ$1,605

$808 NZ$1,411

$1,275 NZ$2,226

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.5K NZ$23.5K

$11.9K NZ$20.8K

$16.7K NZ$29.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.8 NZ$122

$41.89 NZ$73.1

$95.7 NZ$167

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.8 NZ$88.6

$30.6 NZ$53.4

$73.4 NZ$128

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.8 NZ$169

$59.2 NZ$103

$118 NZ$207

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$125 NZ$219

$78.4 NZ$137

$211 NZ$368

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$956 NZ$1,669

$712 NZ$1,243

$1,305 NZ$2,279

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$786 NZ$1,373

$423 NZ$738

$1,143 NZ$1,996

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 NZ$2,757

$1,210 NZ$2,113

$1,982 NZ$3,460

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,401 NZ$2,446

$1,216 NZ$2,124

$1,718 NZ$3,000

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,606 NZ$6,297

$1,982 NZ$3,460

$3,716 NZ$6,488

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,040 NZ$5,309

$2,060 NZ$3,597

$4,774 NZ$8,336

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.37

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

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Cost of Living in Paihia - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with larger cities like Auckland or Wellington, Paihia generally feels more approachable for daily living, especially if you value a slower pace and scenic surroundings. You will find housing options that suit shorter stays and flexible work setups, plus plenty of affordable takeout and casual dining choices outside peak season. Cost of Living in Paihia, New Zealand varies with the tourist calendar: summers bring higher lodging and dining prices, while off-peak periods offer more reasonable options for longer stays. Local neighborhoods reward you with walkability, harbor access, and community vibes, while short drives unlock beaches, cafes, and weekend markets. Tip: start with a shoulder-season visit to test routines before committing.

Daily life in Paihia centers on a compact, waterfront rhythm. Housing options range from modern apartments to small family homes; expect seasonal fluctuations in availability and pricing. For meals, you will find a mix of local cafes, fish-and-chip shops, and markets with fresh seafood and produce. Public transport is limited, so many rely on bikes or car sharing; walking is pleasant along the harbor. Co-working spaces and reliable broadband support remote work, while mornings and late afternoons see busier streets. For errands, midweek trips help dodge crowds. Paihia, New Zealand living cost ebbs with tourist seasons, so plan a shoulder-season stay for steadier budgeting. Tip: map a weekly budget and test different neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life in Paihia blends natural beauty with a practical, paced lifestyle. Build a simple budgeting framework: fixed housing and utilities, variable groceries, dining, and activities. Plan around seasonality: summers bring festivals and higher prices, but longer daylight supports outdoor budgets; winters are quieter and provide opportunities to save on services. Choose neighborhoods by pace and proximity: central harbor for social life, or quieter inland streets for longer stays and better value. Leverage free or low-cost activities – beaches, walks, and national parks – and combine multiple errands into one trip to save time and transport. Tip: set a realistic monthly cap for discretionary spending and review it each season.