Cost of Living in Palmerston North - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $853 (excluding rent), and $1,700 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,426 (excluding rent), and $3,778 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.69 NZ$29.04

$12.14 NZ$21.12

$30.35 NZ$52.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.7 NZ$128

$61.4 NZ$107

$123 NZ$214

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.13 NZ$21.11

$9.09 NZ$15.82

$18.20 NZ$31.67

Cappuccino

$3.50 NZ$6.09

$2.73 NZ$4.76

$4.26 NZ$7.41

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

$2.40 NZ$4.17

$1.85 NZ$3.21

$4.92 NZ$8.56

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 NZ$3.60

$1.48 NZ$2.57

$3.55 NZ$6.17

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 NZ$12.24

$4.10 NZ$7.13

$8.78 NZ$15.28

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.45 NZ$11.23

$5.23 NZ$9.10

$9.22 NZ$16.04

Milk (1 liter)

$1.91 NZ$3.32

$1.13 NZ$1.96

$2.32 NZ$4.03

White Bread (500g)

$2.13 NZ$3.71

$1.24 NZ$2.16

$4.01 NZ$6.98

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.78 NZ$3.09

$1.44 NZ$2.50

$2.09 NZ$3.64

Eggs

$5.41 NZ$9.41

$5.11 NZ$8.90

$7.30 NZ$12.71

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.32 NZ$14.48

$6.17 NZ$10.73

$13.57 NZ$23.61

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.24 NZ$16.08

$5.46 NZ$9.50

$12.12 NZ$21.10

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.37 NZ$21.53

$7.55 NZ$13.13

$15.09 NZ$26.25

Apples (1kg)

$2.49 NZ$4.32

$1.22 NZ$2.12

$3.63 NZ$6.32

Banana (1kg)

$1.90 NZ$3.30

$1.61 NZ$2.80

$2.90 NZ$5.05

Oranges (1kg)

$2.43 NZ$4.23

$1.77 NZ$3.08

$5.29 NZ$9.21

Tomato (1kg)

$3.42 NZ$5.95

$1.52 NZ$2.64

$7.58 NZ$13.20

Potato (1kg)

$2.06 NZ$3.59

$0.65 NZ$1.14

$3.54 NZ$6.15

Onion (1kg)

$2.26 NZ$3.94

$0.93 NZ$1.61

$4.65 NZ$8.09

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.03 NZ$3.54

$1.18 NZ$2.05

$3.23 NZ$5.62

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.95 NZ$1.65

$0.59 NZ$1.03

$2.38 NZ$4.14

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$20.42 NZ$35.53

$18.15 NZ$31.58

$25.42 NZ$44.23

Wine (Bottle)

$8.86 NZ$15.42

$7.67 NZ$13.35

$14.76 NZ$25.69

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 NZ$4.26

$1.20 NZ$2.08

$7.22 NZ$12.57

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.40 NZ$9.40

$1.59 NZ$2.77

$7.34 NZ$12.77

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.64 NZ$8.07

$2.10 NZ$3.65

$7.19 NZ$12.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.43 NZ$52.9

$16.43 NZ$28.59

$132 NZ$230

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 NZ$4.17

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 NZ$3.08

$1.42 NZ$2.47

$2.73 NZ$4.74

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.92 NZ$29.43

$16.02 NZ$27.88

$17.80 NZ$30.98

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.73 NZ$3.01

$1.63 NZ$2.83

$1.75 NZ$3.05

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

$18.5K NZ$32.2K

$17.9K NZ$31.2K

$19.1K NZ$33.2K

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

$21.2K NZ$36.9K

$25.0K NZ$43.5K

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

$89.5 NZ$156

$61.6 NZ$107

$122 NZ$212

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

$37.86 NZ$65.9

$21.37 NZ$37.18

$48.85 NZ$85.0

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.07 NZ$83.7

$36.63 NZ$63.7

$79.4 NZ$138

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.85 NZ$60.7

$16.73 NZ$29.11

$50.8 NZ$88.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.22 NZ$23.00

$6.10 NZ$10.62

$18.31 NZ$31.86

Cinema Ticket

$9.08 NZ$15.80

$7.88 NZ$13.71

$14.54 NZ$25.30

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

$1,006 NZ$1,750

$754 NZ$1,312

$1,257 NZ$2,187

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,145 NZ$10.7K

$2,269 NZ$3,948

$8,383 NZ$14.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.8 NZ$98.9

$17.95 NZ$31.24

$89.8 NZ$156

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.29 NZ$66.6

$30.63 NZ$53.3

$49.01 NZ$85.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.3 NZ$159

$72.5 NZ$126

$181 NZ$314

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$93.7 NZ$163

$55.3 NZ$96.3

$123 NZ$214

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$834 NZ$1,452

$715 NZ$1,244

$1,192 NZ$2,074

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$702 NZ$1,222

$305 NZ$531

$1,069 NZ$1,859

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,527 NZ$2,657

$1,428 NZ$2,484

$1,844 NZ$3,209

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,379 NZ$2,400

$1,303 NZ$2,267

$1,447 NZ$2,518

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,137 NZ$3,719

$1,347 NZ$2,343

$2,928 NZ$5,094

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,887 NZ$3,283

$915 NZ$1,592

$2,859 NZ$4,974

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,504 NZ$4,357

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.69

5.79

7.5

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Palmerston North Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

171

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in Palmerston North - Frequently Asked Questions

The Cost of Living in Palmerston North, New Zealand tends to be friendlier than larger urban centers in the country, while still offering reliable amenities, good internet access, and a compact, walkable center. For longer stays, value comes from flexible housing options, affordable grocery runs, and a growing services scene that avoids tourist surcharges. It’s a place where you can settle into a routine without exposing yourself to extreme cost swings. Expect a steady rhythm of daily expenses, balanced by affordable leisure. Tip: Start with short-term stays to test neighborhoods before locking into a longer lease.

Housing search in Palmy typically spans central apartments, riverside units, and leafy suburbs with practical rents. Use local listings and walk a few neighborhoods at different times to gauge noise, access, and commute. Grocery stores cover basics, and farmers markets offer fresh picks; while a few casual eateries are affordable, you’ll find that variety increases citywide during market days. Transport is practical: reliable bus routes, good cycling lanes, and easy access to car-sharing or a scooter for errands. Palmerston North, New Zealand living cost varies by area and season, so plan a flexible week. Tip: Build a simple map-based plan to hit groceries, coworking, and errands on the same days.

To maximize quality of life, use a simple budgeting framework that divides housing, groceries, transport, and leisure, then revisit weekly to adjust. Look for neighborhoods that align with your pace: central city for café access and short commutes, Hokowhitu or Milson for quieter residential feel, and Massey-side areas if you want student vibes and greener spaces. Take advantage of outdoor markets, river walks, and library resources to stretch entertainment without stress. Seasons influence activities, so shift your routines to match daylight, weather, and peak tourism times. Tip: Try a trial month in a couple of areas before committing to a long-term lease.