Cost of Living in Rolleston - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,064 (excluding rent), and $1,841 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,137 (excluding rent), and $3,579 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.93 NZ$29.57

$9.07 NZ$15.83

$24.2 NZ$42.25

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$72.2 NZ$126

$48.15 NZ$84.1

$120 NZ$210

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.62 NZ$16.81

$9.02 NZ$15.74

$12.03 NZ$21

Cappuccino

$3.43 NZ$5.99

$2.42 NZ$4.22

$7.27 NZ$12.69

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

$2.29 NZ$4

$1.54 NZ$2.69

$3.08 NZ$5.37

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 NZ$3.59

$1.24 NZ$2.16

$2.77 NZ$4.84

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.08 NZ$12.37

$5.31 NZ$9.28

$8.85 NZ$15.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.05 NZ$10.56

$4.83 NZ$8.44

$9.06 NZ$15.83

Milk (1 liter)

$1.86 NZ$3.24

$1.01 NZ$1.77

$2.99 NZ$5.22

White Bread (500g)

$1.89 NZ$3.3

$0.59 NZ$1.02

$2.82 NZ$4.92

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.74 NZ$3.03

$1.03 NZ$1.81

$2.2 NZ$3.84

Eggs

$5.78 NZ$10.1

$2.45 NZ$4.28

$7.43 NZ$12.97

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.35 NZ$14.58

$5.49 NZ$9.59

$10.97 NZ$19.15

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.87 NZ$17.24

$4.32 NZ$7.55

$12.35 NZ$21.57

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.77 NZ$22.3

$7.16 NZ$12.51

$16.4 NZ$28.64

Apples (1kg)

$2.85 NZ$4.98

$1.18 NZ$2.05

$3.55 NZ$6.2

Banana (1kg)

$2.27 NZ$3.96

$1.96 NZ$3.43

$2.39 NZ$4.17

Oranges (1kg)

$3.06 NZ$5.34

$2.13 NZ$3.73

$3.98 NZ$6.95

Tomato (1kg)

$5.61 NZ$9.8

$1.78 NZ$3.12

$8.32 NZ$14.53

Potato (1kg)

$1.9 NZ$3.32

$1.18 NZ$2.06

$4.1 NZ$7.16

Onion (1kg)

$2.06 NZ$3.6

$0.91 NZ$1.6

$2.45 NZ$4.28

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.04 NZ$5.3

$1.53 NZ$2.68

$4.28 NZ$7.48

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 NZ$1.95

$0.41 NZ$0.72

$2.47 NZ$4.32

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$23.91 NZ$41.75

$22.71 NZ$39.65

$26.83 NZ$46.85

Wine (Bottle)

$8.79 NZ$15.35

$7.62 NZ$13.3

$9.96 NZ$17.39

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.65 NZ$6.38

$1.45 NZ$2.53

$6.7 NZ$11.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.56 NZ$6.21

$1.28 NZ$2.23

$7.06 NZ$12.32

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.08 NZ$3.63

$1.34 NZ$2.34

$2.37 NZ$4.14

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$65.2 NZ$114

$8.28 NZ$14.45

$65.2 NZ$114

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.65 NZ$4.62

$1.77 NZ$3.09

$5.89 NZ$10.29

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.13 NZ$1.98

$2.26 NZ$3.95

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.89 NZ$52.2

$17.93 NZ$31.32

$32.88 NZ$57.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.63 NZ$2.85

$1.41 NZ$2.46

$1.67 NZ$2.92

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

$19.7K NZ$34.3K

$15.5K NZ$27.1K

$31K NZ$54.1K

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

$20.1K NZ$35.2K

$18.4K NZ$32.1K

$33.7K NZ$58.9K

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

$99.7 NZ$174

$59.2 NZ$103

$186 NZ$324

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

$31.8 NZ$55.5

$18.18 NZ$31.75

$45.45 NZ$79.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.1 NZ$94.5

$41.58 NZ$72.6

$61.2 NZ$107

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.44 NZ$65.4

$17.18 NZ$30

$50.6 NZ$88.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.82 NZ$20.64

$4.73 NZ$8.25

$15.37 NZ$26.84

Cinema Ticket

$9.73 NZ$16.98

$6.08 NZ$10.61

$12.16 NZ$21.22

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

$592 NZ$1,034

$305 NZ$533

$635 NZ$1,108

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,250 NZ$12.7K

$6,670 NZ$11.6K

$14.5K NZ$25.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 NZ$113

$45.96 NZ$80.2

$91.9 NZ$161

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.78 NZ$64.2

$24.52 NZ$42.81

$49.04 NZ$85.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.8 NZ$164

$45.9 NZ$80.2

$122 NZ$214

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 NZ$212

$71.8 NZ$125

$150 NZ$261

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$991 NZ$1,731

$738 NZ$1,289

$1,353 NZ$2,362

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$789 NZ$1,378

$424 NZ$741

$1,148 NZ$2,004

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,102 NZ$1,924

$673 NZ$1,176

$1,530 NZ$2,672

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,042 NZ$1,820

$574 NZ$1,002

$1,510 NZ$2,637

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,231 NZ$7,388

$2,325 NZ$4,060

$4,359 NZ$7,612

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,067 NZ$5,355

$2,078 NZ$3,629

$4,816 NZ$8,408

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,543 NZ$7,933

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.74

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 Rolleston - Frequently Asked Questions

Rolleston tends to feel more affordable than inner-city Christchurch while offering solid access to services, parks, and dining. When you weigh housing options, groceries, and transport, many travelers and digital nomads find value in the shorter commutes and growing suburb infrastructure. Compared with larger centers, you may notice a balance between price and convenience, especially for longer stays in a family-friendly area with new homes and local amenities. Cost of Living in Rolleston, New Zealand reflects suburban growth and steady service options that support a comfortable, flexible schedule. Tip: Start with a short visit to sense daily rhythms and weekly patterns.

Rolleston, New Zealand living cost varies by neighborhood and lifestyle, but you can plan around practical routines and steady amenities. Housing search tends to center on newer subdivisions offering townhomes and family-friendly leases, with options close to schools or the town center. For groceries and meals, you will find reliable supermarkets, local cafes, and weekly markets. Transport leans toward car use, with straightforward road links to Christchurch and nearby towns; occasional bus routes support commuter trips and school runs. Co-working spaces and coffee shops with reliable Wi-Fi provide flexible work zones. Errands are easy with well-equipped stores and community hubs. Tip: Build a simple weekly plan and test commute times.

Quality of life in Rolleston blends a relaxed suburban rhythm with quick access to Christchurch’s services. To budget, set a simple framework: fixed essentials, flexible discretionary, and a monthly buffer for margins. Compare neighborhoods by proximity to parks, schools, and shops, plus how you prefer to move – car dependence, cycle routes, or bus options. Seasonal shifts influence grocery costs and outdoor activities, so plan for lighter indoor expenses in winter and more outdoor recreation in warmer months. A good fit often means choosing an area with established amenities and quiet pockets. Tip: Test a few weekends in different neighborhoods to feel the vibe.