Cost of Living in Rotorua - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $828 (excluding rent), and $1,438 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,100 (excluding rent), and $2,975 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.17 NZ$21.17

$10.95 NZ$19.05

$27.37 NZ$47.62

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$61.4 NZ$107

$42.95 NZ$74.7

$123 NZ$214

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.45 NZ$16.45

$8.27 NZ$14.38

$10.63 NZ$18.49

Cappuccino

$2.84 NZ$4.93

$2.74 NZ$4.76

$4.26 NZ$7.41

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

$2.34 NZ$4.06

$1.86 NZ$3.24

$3.42 NZ$5.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.16 NZ$3.76

$1.77 NZ$3.08

$3.54 NZ$6.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.42 NZ$9.43

$4.81 NZ$8.37

$9.02 NZ$15.70

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.31 NZ$9.25

$4.72 NZ$8.21

$8.26 NZ$14.37

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 NZ$3.02

$1.18 NZ$2.05

$2.35 NZ$4.09

White Bread (500g)

$2.11 NZ$3.68

$0.73 NZ$1.27

$4.29 NZ$7.46

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.27 NZ$2.21

$0.76 NZ$1.32

$2.92 NZ$5.09

Eggs

$5.29 NZ$9.21

$4.11 NZ$7.16

$8.46 NZ$14.72

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.79 NZ$13.56

$5.40 NZ$9.39

$11.98 NZ$20.85

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.24 NZ$14.33

$5.89 NZ$10.24

$11.77 NZ$20.48

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.93 NZ$19.02

$7.91 NZ$13.76

$17.03 NZ$29.62

Apples (1kg)

$1.83 NZ$3.19

$1.22 NZ$2.13

$4.27 NZ$7.43

Banana (1kg)

$2.25 NZ$3.92

$1.82 NZ$3.16

$3.02 NZ$5.26

Oranges (1kg)

$3.33 NZ$5.80

$1.23 NZ$2.13

$6.11 NZ$10.63

Tomato (1kg)

$1.19 NZ$2.07

$5.92 NZ$10.30

Potato (1kg)

$1.79 NZ$3.12

$0.91 NZ$1.58

$3.64 NZ$6.34

Onion (1kg)

$1.64 NZ$2.85

$0.89 NZ$1.54

$2.38 NZ$4.13

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.91 NZ$3.32

$1.20 NZ$2.08

$3.58 NZ$6.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 NZ$2.16

$0.53 NZ$0.93

$2.38 NZ$4.14

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$22.85 NZ$39.76

$21.68 NZ$37.72

$30.11 NZ$52.4

Wine (Bottle)

$8.78 NZ$15.28

$6.44 NZ$11.20

$14.63 NZ$25.46

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.40 NZ$2.44

$1.19 NZ$2.08

$5.95 NZ$10.35

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 NZ$4.80

$1.19 NZ$2.07

$7.13 NZ$12.41

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.66 NZ$2.88

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.5 NZ$112

$8.30 NZ$14.44

$64.5 NZ$112

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.79 NZ$3.11

$2.97 NZ$5.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 NZ$2.75

$1.48 NZ$2.57

$3.72 NZ$6.48

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.81 NZ$60.6

$29.76 NZ$51.8

$42.86 NZ$74.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.64 NZ$2.86

$1.49 NZ$2.60

$1.88 NZ$3.27

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

$28.0K NZ$48.7K

$23.8K NZ$41.4K

$32.1K NZ$55.9K

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

$22.5K NZ$39.1K

$21.4K NZ$37.3K

$23.3K NZ$40.5K

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

$143 NZ$249

$96.8 NZ$168

$210 NZ$366

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

$29.89 NZ$52.0

$11.82 NZ$20.57

$47.29 NZ$82.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$45.96 NZ$80.0

$38.54 NZ$67.1

$64.6 NZ$112

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.04 NZ$62.7

$18.86 NZ$32.81

$53.2 NZ$92.6

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.45 NZ$18.18

$4.91 NZ$8.55

$15.99 NZ$27.82

Cinema Ticket

$10.16 NZ$17.67

$8.00 NZ$13.92

$18.46 NZ$32.13

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

$900 NZ$1,565

$791 NZ$1,376

$1,247 NZ$2,170

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.7K NZ$23.8K

$12.1K NZ$21.1K

$17.0K NZ$29.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.6 NZ$125

$42.91 NZ$74.7

$158 NZ$274

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.05 NZ$62.7

$30.04 NZ$52.3

$72.1 NZ$125

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$42.09 NZ$73.2

$120 NZ$209

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.3 NZ$92.7

$207 NZ$361

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$721 NZ$1,255

$253 NZ$440

$1,157 NZ$2,013

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$523 NZ$910

$231 NZ$401

$828 NZ$1,440

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,478 NZ$2,572

$1,225 NZ$2,132

$1,685 NZ$2,932

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$904 NZ$1,573

$392 NZ$682

$1,477 NZ$2,570

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,237 NZ$7,373

$2,328 NZ$4,051

$5,820 NZ$10.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,465 NZ$6,028

$1,762 NZ$3,065

$5,167 NZ$8,991

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,706 NZ$6,448

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.37

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Rotorua Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

136

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

188

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 Rotorua - Frequently Asked Questions

Rotorua tends to offer better value than the country’s largest cities, with flexible housing options and a compact layout that keeps daily errands and commutes efficient. You can find comfortable flats and small houses in areas that balance lake access with quieter streets, often at lower rents than bigger hubs. Local groceries, casual dining, and services stay affordable when you shop with the seasons and choose locals friendly options. Seasonal crowds push some activity costs up, but the overall lifestyle remains practical for a longer stay. Cost of Living in Rotorua offers a softer pace without sacrificing accessibility. Tip: Start with a walkable neighborhood to maximize access while managing costs.

Housing search centers on walkable neighborhoods near the lake, town streets, or green spaces, with options from modern apartments to cozy cottages. For groceries and meals, local markets deliver seasonal produce and affordable ready to eat options, while cooking at home keeps costs predictable. Getting around can be easy on foot, by bike, or via bus; many areas are compact enough to minimize car use. Co working spaces and cafes make a flexible work setup simple for digital nomads, and errands cluster in core zones for efficiency. The Rotorua living cost varies with proximity to services and tourism hubs, so choose a base that aligns with your routine. Tip: Map a weekly plan to balance work and exploration.

Adopt a simple budgeting framework that separates essentials, lifestyle choices, and savings, then adjust monthly based on routines. In Rotorua, seasonality changes leisure options and accommodation demand, so build flexibility into plans and look for shoulder seasons. Neighborhood fit matters: lakefront areas feel lively and central, while hillside districts offer space and quieter streets with easy access to parks. Test a district with a short stay or a shared workspace to feel the rhythm before committing. Build routines around bulk cooking, low-mileage transport, and shared services to trim friction and support a balanced, active lifestyle. Tip: Notice how different areas align with your work and downtime.