Cost of Living in Palmerston North - Updated Prices & Insights

65.43

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $894 (excluding rent), and $1,654 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,250 (excluding rent), and $3,664 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.44 NZ$27.12

$11.96 NZ$19.73

$29.9 NZ$49.32

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$72.8 NZ$120

$60.7 NZ$100

$121 NZ$200

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 NZ$19.91

$9.05 NZ$14.92

$18.11 NZ$29.86

Cappuccino

$3.4 NZ$5.61

$2.66 NZ$4.38

$4.14 NZ$6.83

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

$2.3 NZ$3.8

$1.77 NZ$2.92

$4.72 NZ$7.79

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.16 NZ$3.56

$1.54 NZ$2.55

$3.7 NZ$6.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.34 NZ$12.11

$4.28 NZ$7.06

$9.17 NZ$15.13

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.21 NZ$10.24

$5.03 NZ$8.3

$8.86 NZ$14.62

Milk (1 liter)

$1.92 NZ$3.16

$1.14 NZ$1.87

$2.33 NZ$3.84

White Bread (500g)

$2.1 NZ$3.46

$1.22 NZ$2.01

$3.96 NZ$6.53

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.82 NZ$3

$1.47 NZ$2.43

$2.14 NZ$3.53

Eggs

$5.33 NZ$8.78

$5.04 NZ$8.31

$7.19 NZ$11.86

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.25 NZ$13.61

$6.11 NZ$10.08

$13.45 NZ$22.18

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.93 NZ$14.73

$5.28 NZ$8.7

$11.72 NZ$19.33

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.55 NZ$20.71

$7.66 NZ$12.63

$15.31 NZ$25.25

Apples (1kg)

$2.42 NZ$4

$1.19 NZ$1.96

$3.54 NZ$5.84

Banana (1kg)

$1.81 NZ$2.98

$1.53 NZ$2.53

$2.77 NZ$4.56

Oranges (1kg)

$2.53 NZ$4.18

$1.84 NZ$3.04

$5.51 NZ$9.09

Tomato (1kg)

$3.43 NZ$5.65

$1.52 NZ$2.51

$7.6 NZ$12.53

Potato (1kg)

$2.07 NZ$3.42

$0.66 NZ$1.09

$3.56 NZ$5.87

Onion (1kg)

$2.24 NZ$3.69

$0.92 NZ$1.51

$4.6 NZ$7.59

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.07 NZ$3.41

$1.2 NZ$1.97

$3.28 NZ$5.41

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 NZ$1.62

$0.61 NZ$1.01

$2.46 NZ$4.06

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$20.57 NZ$33.93

$18.29 NZ$30.16

$25.6 NZ$42.23

Wine (Bottle)

$8.79 NZ$14.49

$7.62 NZ$12.57

$10.54 NZ$17.39

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.43 NZ$4

$1.18 NZ$1.95

$7.15 NZ$11.79

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.19 NZ$8.56

$1.53 NZ$2.52

$7.05 NZ$11.63

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.69 NZ$7.74

$2.12 NZ$3.5

$7.28 NZ$12

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.64 NZ$48.88

$16 NZ$26.4

$129 NZ$213

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 NZ$3.99

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 NZ$3.03

$1.47 NZ$2.43

$2.82 NZ$4.65

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$17.4 NZ$28.69

$16.47 NZ$27.17

$18.31 NZ$30.19

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.73 NZ$2.85

$1.63 NZ$2.69

$1.75 NZ$2.89

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

$18.7K NZ$30.9K

$18.1K NZ$29.9K

$19.4K NZ$31.9K

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

$21.8K NZ$36K

$25.7K NZ$42.4K

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

$87.1 NZ$144

$59.9 NZ$98.9

$119 NZ$196

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

$36.68 NZ$60.5

$20.7 NZ$34.14

$47.32 NZ$78.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.93 NZ$79.1

$36.52 NZ$60.2

$79.1 NZ$131

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.8 NZ$59.1

$17.18 NZ$28.34

$52.2 NZ$86.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.03 NZ$21.5

$6.02 NZ$9.93

$18.05 NZ$29.78

Cinema Ticket

$8.85 NZ$14.6

$7.68 NZ$12.66

$14.17 NZ$23.37

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

$1,008 NZ$1,663

$756 NZ$1,247

$1,260 NZ$2,078

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,193 NZ$10.2K

$2,286 NZ$3,771

$8,448 NZ$13.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57 NZ$94.1

$18.01 NZ$29.7

$90.1 NZ$149

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.48 NZ$61.8

$29.98 NZ$49.44

$47.97 NZ$79.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.5 NZ$152

$73.5 NZ$121

$183 NZ$302

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$91.4 NZ$151

$53.9 NZ$89

$120 NZ$198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$829 NZ$1,368

$711 NZ$1,173

$1,185 NZ$1,954

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$700 NZ$1,154

$304 NZ$502

$1,065 NZ$1,756

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,519 NZ$2,504

$1,420 NZ$2,342

$1,834 NZ$3,025

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,397 NZ$2,304

$1,319 NZ$2,176

$1,466 NZ$2,418

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,860 NZ$4,717

$2,452 NZ$4,043

$3,065 NZ$5,054

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,528 NZ$4,170

$1,137 NZ$1,875

$3,590 NZ$5,922

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,564 NZ$4,229

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.

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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.