Cost of Living in Palmerston North - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $983 (excluding rent), and $1,648 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,142 (excluding rent), and $3,795 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.25 NZ$28.37

$11.82 NZ$20.64

$29.55 NZ$51.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$72.7 NZ$127

$60.6 NZ$106

$121 NZ$212

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.17 NZ$21.24

$9.12 NZ$15.92

$18.25 NZ$31.87

Cappuccino

$3.53 NZ$6.17

$2.76 NZ$4.82

$4.29 NZ$7.5

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

$2.32 NZ$4.06

$1.79 NZ$3.13

$4.77 NZ$8.32

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 NZ$3.64

$1.49 NZ$2.6

$3.57 NZ$6.24

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.11 NZ$12.42

$4.14 NZ$7.24

$8.88 NZ$15.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.49 NZ$11.33

$5.26 NZ$9.18

$9.27 NZ$16.18

Milk (1 liter)

$2.01 NZ$3.51

$1.19 NZ$2.08

$2.44 NZ$4.26

White Bread (500g)

$2.04 NZ$3.57

$1.19 NZ$2.08

$3.85 NZ$6.72

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.74 NZ$3.04

$1.41 NZ$2.46

$2.05 NZ$3.58

Eggs

$5.46 NZ$9.53

$5.16 NZ$9.01

$7.37 NZ$12.87

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.12 NZ$14.17

$6.01 NZ$10.5

$13.23 NZ$23.11

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.02 NZ$15.75

$5.33 NZ$9.31

$11.84 NZ$20.67

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.54 NZ$21.89

$7.65 NZ$13.36

$15.29 NZ$26.69

Apples (1kg)

$2.5 NZ$4.36

$1.22 NZ$2.13

$3.65 NZ$6.37

Banana (1kg)

$1.87 NZ$3.26

$1.59 NZ$2.77

$2.86 NZ$4.99

Oranges (1kg)

$2.55 NZ$4.45

$1.85 NZ$3.23

$5.55 NZ$9.69

Tomato (1kg)

$3.36 NZ$5.87

$1.49 NZ$2.61

$7.46 NZ$13.02

Potato (1kg)

$2.13 NZ$3.71

$0.68 NZ$1.18

$3.65 NZ$6.37

Onion (1kg)

$2.24 NZ$3.92

$0.92 NZ$1.6

$4.61 NZ$8.05

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.12 NZ$3.71

$1.23 NZ$2.15

$3.37 NZ$5.89

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 NZ$1.6

$0.57 NZ$1

$2.3 NZ$4.01

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$20.47 NZ$35.75

$18.2 NZ$31.78

$25.48 NZ$44.5

Wine (Bottle)

$8.32 NZ$14.52

$7.21 NZ$12.59

$9.98 NZ$17.42

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.51 NZ$4.37

$1.22 NZ$2.13

$7.38 NZ$12.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.37 NZ$9.38

$1.58 NZ$2.76

$7.3 NZ$12.74

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.57 NZ$7.99

$2.07 NZ$3.61

$7.09 NZ$12.38

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.57 NZ$53.4

$16.5 NZ$28.82

$133 NZ$232

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.43 NZ$4.24

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.8 NZ$3.14

$1.44 NZ$2.52

$2.77 NZ$4.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$17.09 NZ$29.84

$16.19 NZ$28.26

$17.99 NZ$31.41

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.66 NZ$2.9

$1.56 NZ$2.73

$1.68 NZ$2.94

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

$19.1K NZ$33.3K

$18.4K NZ$32.2K

$19.7K NZ$34.4K

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

$21.9K NZ$38.2K

$25.8K NZ$45K

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

$88.1 NZ$154

$60.6 NZ$106

$120 NZ$210

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

$36.75 NZ$64.2

$20.74 NZ$36.21

$47.42 NZ$82.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.45 NZ$82.9

$36.15 NZ$63.1

$78.3 NZ$137

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.67 NZ$62.3

$17.12 NZ$29.89

$52 NZ$90.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.19 NZ$23.03

$6.09 NZ$10.63

$18.27 NZ$31.9

Cinema Ticket

$8.78 NZ$15.33

$7.61 NZ$13.3

$14.05 NZ$24.54

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

$1,014 NZ$1,771

$761 NZ$1,328

$1,268 NZ$2,214

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,288 NZ$11K

$2,321 NZ$4,053

$8,577 NZ$15K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.1 NZ$101

$18.35 NZ$32.05

$91.8 NZ$160

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.26 NZ$65.1

$29.81 NZ$52

$47.69 NZ$83.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.2 NZ$159

$72.4 NZ$126

$180 NZ$315

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$91.5 NZ$160

$54 NZ$94.3

$120 NZ$210

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$849 NZ$1,482

$727 NZ$1,270

$1,212 NZ$2,117

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$699 NZ$1,220

$304 NZ$530

$1,063 NZ$1,856

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,555 NZ$2,715

$1,454 NZ$2,539

$1,878 NZ$3,279

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,362 NZ$2,378

$1,286 NZ$2,246

$1,429 NZ$2,496

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,030 NZ$3,544

$1,279 NZ$2,233

$2,780 NZ$4,855

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,380 NZ$4,157

$907 NZ$1,583

$3,401 NZ$5,938

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,464 NZ$4,302

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: November 24, 2025

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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.