Cost of Living in Tauranga - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,014 (excluding rent), and $2,107 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,502 (excluding rent), and $3,946 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.72 NZ$27.4

$9.06 NZ$15.8

$33.25 NZ$58

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$72.5 NZ$126

$60.4 NZ$105

$109 NZ$189

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.06 NZ$15.79

$7.26 NZ$12.65

$12.09 NZ$21.07

Cappuccino

$3.64 NZ$6.34

$3.06 NZ$5.33

$4.29 NZ$7.47

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

$2.05 NZ$3.57

$1.47 NZ$2.56

$2.34 NZ$4.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 NZ$3.56

$1.36 NZ$2.37

$2.36 NZ$4.11

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.93 NZ$8.59

$3.7 NZ$6.45

$7.41 NZ$12.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.86 NZ$10.21

$4.68 NZ$8.16

$8.2 NZ$14.29

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 NZ$2.35

$1.06 NZ$1.85

$1.59 NZ$2.77

White Bread (500g)

$2.11 NZ$3.67

$1.15 NZ$2.01

$2.45 NZ$4.28

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.55 NZ$2.7

$1.22 NZ$2.12

$1.82 NZ$3.18

Eggs

$6.93 NZ$12.08

$3.61 NZ$6.29

$9.02 NZ$15.71

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.58 NZ$13.22

$6.02 NZ$10.49

$12.03 NZ$20.97

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.16 NZ$15.97

$4.16 NZ$7.26

$11.9 NZ$20.73

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.92 NZ$20.77

$5.42 NZ$9.45

$18.05 NZ$31.47

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 NZ$4.58

$1.86 NZ$3.24

$2.78 NZ$4.85

Banana (1kg)

$2.16 NZ$3.77

$2.04 NZ$3.56

$2.93 NZ$5.11

Oranges (1kg)

$2.37 NZ$4.13

$2.08 NZ$3.63

$2.97 NZ$5.17

Tomato (1kg)

$4.71 NZ$8.2

$3.06 NZ$5.33

$7.36 NZ$12.83

Potato (1kg)

$1.77 NZ$3.09

$1.22 NZ$2.12

$2.11 NZ$3.68

Onion (1kg)

$1.29 NZ$2.25

$1.19 NZ$2.07

$1.79 NZ$3.11

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.53 NZ$4.41

$2.38 NZ$4.15

$2.97 NZ$5.18

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.66 NZ$2.9

$0.67 NZ$1.17

$2.46 NZ$4.29

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$22.79 NZ$39.72

$21.6 NZ$37.64

$23.99 NZ$41.82

Wine (Bottle)

$8.58 NZ$14.96

$6.86 NZ$11.96

$14.3 NZ$24.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2 NZ$3.49

$1 NZ$1.74

$2.92 NZ$5.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.45 NZ$9.5

$1.23 NZ$2.15

$9.21 NZ$16.05

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.61 NZ$2.8

$1.39 NZ$2.43

$2.47 NZ$4.3

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.7 NZ$113

$8.21 NZ$14.31

$64.7 NZ$113

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.78 NZ$3.1

$2.96 NZ$5.15

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.67 NZ$2.91

$1.45 NZ$2.53

$2.78 NZ$4.84

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.69 NZ$62.2

$30.51 NZ$53.2

$36.61 NZ$63.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.7 NZ$2.97

$1.61 NZ$2.81

$1.72 NZ$3

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

$31.2K NZ$54.3K

$23.7K NZ$41.4K

$38.6K NZ$67.2K

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

$18K NZ$31.4K

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

$142 NZ$247

$115 NZ$201

$179 NZ$312

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

$39.75 NZ$69.3

$30.29 NZ$52.8

$42.4 NZ$73.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.8 NZ$97.2

$54.3 NZ$94.6

$61 NZ$106

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.52 NZ$82.8

$36.55 NZ$63.7

$60.9 NZ$106

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.09 NZ$21.08

$4.83 NZ$8.42

$15.72 NZ$27.4

Cinema Ticket

$12 NZ$20.91

$10.79 NZ$18.81

$14.99 NZ$26.12

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

$614 NZ$1,070

$444 NZ$774

$784 NZ$1,366

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12K NZ$20.9K

$10.2K NZ$17.8K

$15K NZ$26.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.7 NZ$120

$36.71 NZ$64

$73.4 NZ$128

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.75 NZ$50.1

$14.87 NZ$25.92

$41.65 NZ$72.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.5 NZ$166

$60.4 NZ$105

$151 NZ$263

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98 NZ$171

$48.22 NZ$84.1

$162 NZ$283

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,195 NZ$2,083

$978 NZ$1,704

$2,078 NZ$3,621

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,063 NZ$1,852

$900 NZ$1,568

$1,799 NZ$3,136

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,594 NZ$2,778

$1,195 NZ$2,083

$1,972 NZ$3,438

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,489 NZ$2,596

$1,368 NZ$2,385

$1,701 NZ$2,965

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,796 NZ$8,359

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,223 NZ$3,875

$1,112 NZ$1,937

$3,335 NZ$5,812

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,982 NZ$5,197

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.76

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

Last update: November 22, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Tauranga - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Tauranga, New Zealand sits in a sweet spot for many travelers and remote workers. Housing options range from walkable apartments near the CBD to relaxed family homes in nearby suburbs, often with rent and utilities that align with broader New Zealand standards. Daily costs for groceries, meals, and services tend to feel reasonable compared with larger metros, while local amenities, beaches, markets, and outdoor recreation add value that is hard to quantify. The lifestyle is active and accessible, with shorter commutes and plenty of seasonal activities. Tip: plan a field test of a few neighborhoods and a short-term stay before committing.

In Tauranga, searching for a place often means looking in central Tauranga for convenience, or Mount Maunganui and Papamoa for beach access; leases range from compact flats to larger family homes, with some competition and a preference for longer-term fixes. Food options include abundant fresh produce at markets and a variety of cafes and supermarkets; dining out ranges from casual spots to seaside venues. Transport is largely car-oriented, with solid bus routes linking the city and beaches; cycling is popular on dedicated paths. For work or study, several coworking spaces and friendly cafes support remote work. Tip: map a route that covers your daily errands within a 20-30 minute radius.

Think of Tauranga as a place where outdoor life and a mild climate shape daily routines. A simple budgeting framework that works is to divide expenses into housing, groceries, transport, utilities, and leisure, adjusting as you settle in. Tauranga, New Zealand living cost varies with season: peak visitors to Mount Maunganui in summer raise demand for services and can influence casual spending, while shoulder seasons offer quieter streets and easier access to beaches. Neighborhood fit matters – urban centers favor walkability, while coastal suburbs prioritize beaches, parks, and slower tempos. Tip: set a flexible monthly plan and test different areas during weekend explorations.