Cost of Living in Thames - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,093 (excluding rent), and $1,931 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,108 (excluding rent), and $4,026 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.29 NZ$26.69

$11.01 NZ$19.22

$27.52 NZ$48.05

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$77.4 NZ$135

$47.65 NZ$83.2

$119 NZ$208

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.47 NZ$16.53

$8.28 NZ$14.45

$10.64 NZ$18.58

Cappuccino

$3.4 NZ$5.94

$2.9 NZ$5.06

$4.15 NZ$7.25

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

$2.35 NZ$4.1

$1.84 NZ$3.21

$3.38 NZ$5.89

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.19 NZ$3.83

$1.77 NZ$3.09

$3.54 NZ$6.18

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.26 NZ$12.68

$5.45 NZ$9.51

$9.07 NZ$15.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.39 NZ$12.9

$5.54 NZ$9.68

$8.61 NZ$15.04

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 NZ$3.2

$1.25 NZ$2.18

$2.48 NZ$4.33

White Bread (500g)

$2.14 NZ$3.74

$1.24 NZ$2.17

$3.1 NZ$5.41

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.95 NZ$3.4

$1.19 NZ$2.08

$2.96 NZ$5.17

Eggs

$6.97 NZ$12.17

$4.33 NZ$7.55

$8.9 NZ$15.54

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.86 NZ$15.48

$5.54 NZ$9.67

$12.3 NZ$21.48

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.41 NZ$16.44

$5.93 NZ$10.36

$11.86 NZ$20.71

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.22 NZ$23.09

$7.97 NZ$13.92

$17.17 NZ$29.98

Apples (1kg)

$2.83 NZ$4.95

$1.79 NZ$3.13

$4.18 NZ$7.3

Banana (1kg)

$2.3 NZ$4.01

$1.85 NZ$3.24

$3.08 NZ$5.39

Oranges (1kg)

$3.24 NZ$5.66

$2.38 NZ$4.15

$4.75 NZ$8.3

Tomato (1kg)

$4.08 NZ$7.13

$2.1 NZ$3.67

$6.01 NZ$10.49

Potato (1kg)

$2.07 NZ$3.61

$1.23 NZ$2.15

$3.69 NZ$6.44

Onion (1kg)

$1.66 NZ$2.9

$0.95 NZ$1.67

$2.4 NZ$4.18

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.94 NZ$3.39

$1.22 NZ$2.13

$3.03 NZ$5.29

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.3 NZ$2.27

$0.62 NZ$1.08

$2.48 NZ$4.33

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$25.52 NZ$44.55

$21.87 NZ$38.19

$30.37 NZ$53

Wine (Bottle)

$11.54 NZ$20.15

$8.66 NZ$15.12

$14.42 NZ$25.18

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.94 NZ$5.14

$1.52 NZ$2.65

$5.91 NZ$10.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.94 NZ$6.88

$1.84 NZ$3.21

$7.35 NZ$12.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.15 NZ$3.76

$1.39 NZ$2.42

$2.46 NZ$4.29

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.4 NZ$112

$8.19 NZ$14.29

$64.4 NZ$112

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.14 NZ$3.73

$1.83 NZ$3.2

$3.05 NZ$5.32

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.91 NZ$3.33

$1.47 NZ$2.56

$3.7 NZ$6.47

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.55 NZ$62.1

$30.39 NZ$53.1

$36.47 NZ$63.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.67 NZ$2.92

$1.52 NZ$2.65

$1.81 NZ$3.16

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

$28.1K NZ$49.1K

$23.9K NZ$41.8K

$32.3K NZ$56.4K

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

$22.3K NZ$39K

$21.3K NZ$37.2K

$23.1K NZ$40.3K

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

$142 NZ$248

$96.2 NZ$168

$209 NZ$365

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

$31.07 NZ$54.3

$12.29 NZ$21.46

$49.16 NZ$85.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.43 NZ$86.3

$39.69 NZ$69.3

$66.6 NZ$116

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.47 NZ$65.4

$17.19 NZ$30.02

$50.7 NZ$88.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.94 NZ$20.85

$4.77 NZ$8.33

$15.53 NZ$27.11

Cinema Ticket

$15.18 NZ$26.5

$10.32 NZ$18.03

$18.22 NZ$31.81

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

$917 NZ$1,602

$806 NZ$1,408

$1,272 NZ$2,221

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.4K NZ$23.4K

$11.9K NZ$20.7K

$16.6K NZ$29K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.7 NZ$125

$42.97 NZ$75

$98.2 NZ$172

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.2 NZ$87.6

$30.25 NZ$52.8

$72.6 NZ$127

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.1 NZ$171

$60 NZ$105

$120 NZ$210

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$126 NZ$220

$79 NZ$138

$213 NZ$371

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$991 NZ$1,730

$738 NZ$1,288

$1,353 NZ$2,362

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$792 NZ$1,383

$426 NZ$743

$1,152 NZ$2,011

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,554 NZ$2,713

$1,191 NZ$2,080

$1,950 NZ$3,405

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,426 NZ$2,491

$1,239 NZ$2,163

$1,749 NZ$3,054

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,652 NZ$6,377

$2,007 NZ$3,504

$3,763 NZ$6,570

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,944 NZ$5,141

$1,995 NZ$3,484

$4,623 NZ$8,072

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.37

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

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Cost of Living in Thames - Frequently Asked Questions

Thames, New Zealand offers a balanced affordability profile for a small coastal town. The pace is slower than big cities, yet services and amenities are accessible, making it a comfortable base for work and exploration. You’ll find a mix of modest rentals and character homes near the river or town center, with options suitable for shorter stays or longer stays. Dining and groceries lean practical, not premium, while day trips to the Coromandel are easy by car or bus. The real value comes from a calmer lifestyle, reliable local markets, and proximity to beaches and outdoor recreation, which helps you stretch a budget without sacrificing quality. Cost of Living in Thames, New Zealand sits between urban centers and rural pockets. Tip: Start with a short visit to test work zones, transport, and neighborhoods.

Daily life in Thames centers on a compact town core with riverfront views and easy access to nature. Housing options cluster near the town center or green belt, ranging from modest flats to comfortable family homes within walking distance of shops. Food options include farmers markets, bakery counters, and casual eateries with fresh local produce and seafood. Getting around is practical by bike or car; there are bus routes, though weekend schedules vary. You’ll find co-working-friendly cafes and a library space suitable for remote work, plus short-hire spaces for meetings. Thames, New Zealand living cost gives a realistic lens for planning errands and leisure. Tip: plan a flexible weekly routine to balance work, groceries, and outdoor activities.

Quality of life in Thames comes from choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace, whether riverside, town-center, or hillside views. To budget, shop locally, cook at home, and take advantage of shoulder seasons when tourism slows and outdoor attractions feel more relaxed. Seasonality affects crowds at beaches, cafes, and day trips, so plan ahead for popular weekends. For neighborhoods, Riverside paths offer easy access to trails; Town Centre puts markets and cafes within walking distance; outskirts give quieter, larger yards. Transport-wise, a bike-first mindset saves fuel and car wear, while seasonal bus routes can cover longer trips. Tip: set a monthly cap for dining out and build a rotation of free or low-cost outdoor activities.