Cost of Living in Wairoa - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $984 (excluding rent), and $1,866 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,050 (excluding rent), and $4,022 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.13 NZ$26.42

$10.59 NZ$18.49

$27.24 NZ$47.56

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.1 NZ$138

$60.8 NZ$106

$122 NZ$212

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.41 NZ$16.43

$8.82 NZ$15.39

$11.76 NZ$20.54

Cappuccino

$3.48 NZ$6.08

$2.97 NZ$5.19

$4.25 NZ$7.42

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

$2.29 NZ$4

$1.79 NZ$3.13

$2.98 NZ$5.21

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2 NZ$3.5

$1.47 NZ$2.56

$2.93 NZ$5.11

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.15 NZ$12.49

$4.76 NZ$8.32

$8.93 NZ$15.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.17 NZ$10.78

$5.29 NZ$9.24

$8.81 NZ$15.39

Milk (1 liter)

$1.8 NZ$3.14

$1.18 NZ$2.05

$2.78 NZ$4.86

White Bread (500g)

$1.93 NZ$3.37

$1.11 NZ$1.95

$2.97 NZ$5.18

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.83 NZ$3.2

$1.16 NZ$2.03

$2.38 NZ$4.15

Eggs

$6.21 NZ$10.84

$4.26 NZ$7.44

$7.91 NZ$13.81

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.92 NZ$13.83

$5.81 NZ$10.15

$11.74 NZ$20.5

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.31 NZ$16.26

$5.86 NZ$10.23

$12.91 NZ$22.54

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.91 NZ$22.54

$9.07 NZ$15.84

$16.94 NZ$29.58

Apples (1kg)

$2.72 NZ$4.75

$1.2 NZ$2.1

$3.6 NZ$6.28

Banana (1kg)

$2.22 NZ$3.87

$1.8 NZ$3.14

$2.99 NZ$5.22

Oranges (1kg)

$3.12 NZ$5.45

$2.16 NZ$3.77

$4.93 NZ$8.62

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 NZ$7.97

$2.09 NZ$3.65

$7.17 NZ$12.52

Potato (1kg)

$2.01 NZ$3.51

$1.2 NZ$2.09

$3.59 NZ$6.26

Onion (1kg)

$1.94 NZ$3.4

$0.92 NZ$1.6

$3.06 NZ$5.35

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 NZ$3.94

$1.23 NZ$2.14

$3.36 NZ$5.87

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.11 NZ$1.94

$0.59 NZ$1.03

$2.37 NZ$4.13

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$24.01 NZ$41.92

$21.61 NZ$37.73

$27 NZ$47.15

Wine (Bottle)

$9.49 NZ$16.57

$7.71 NZ$13.46

$14.82 NZ$25.88

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 NZ$4.56

$1.59 NZ$2.78

$6.2 NZ$10.82

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.68 NZ$6.42

$1.52 NZ$2.66

$7.29 NZ$12.73

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.1 NZ$3.67

$1.35 NZ$2.36

$2.4 NZ$4.19

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.9 NZ$113

$8.24 NZ$14.39

$64.9 NZ$113

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.69 NZ$4.69

$1.8 NZ$3.14

$2.99 NZ$5.21

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 NZ$3.11

$1.43 NZ$2.49

$2.74 NZ$4.78

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.34 NZ$61.7

$30.21 NZ$52.8

$36.25 NZ$63.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.72 NZ$3.01

$1.6 NZ$2.8

$1.8 NZ$3.14

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

$27.8K NZ$48.5K

$23.1K NZ$40.3K

$29.6K NZ$51.6K

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

$22.2K NZ$38.7K

$19.8K NZ$34.5K

$22.8K NZ$39.8K

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

$141 NZ$246

$88.2 NZ$154

$186 NZ$325

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

$35.62 NZ$62.2

$18 NZ$31.43

$48 NZ$83.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.1 NZ$91

$42.5 NZ$74.2

$66.2 NZ$116

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.37 NZ$63.5

$16.69 NZ$29.14

$49.19 NZ$85.9

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.99 NZ$20.94

$4.79 NZ$8.37

$15.59 NZ$27.22

Cinema Ticket

$11.04 NZ$19.27

$9.2 NZ$16.06

$15.33 NZ$26.77

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

$737 NZ$1,288

$422 NZ$737

$1,048 NZ$1,831

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12K NZ$20.9K

$10.2K NZ$17.8K

$15K NZ$26.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.6 NZ$118

$42.06 NZ$73.5

$102 NZ$178

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.49 NZ$65.5

$23.99 NZ$41.89

$60 NZ$105

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.3 NZ$165

$71.9 NZ$126

$120 NZ$209

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$118 NZ$206

$67.2 NZ$117

$214 NZ$373

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$984 NZ$1,719

$733 NZ$1,280

$1,344 NZ$2,347

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$770 NZ$1,345

$414 NZ$723

$1,120 NZ$1,955

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,604 NZ$2,801

$1,230 NZ$2,147

$2,013 NZ$3,516

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,420 NZ$2,479

$1,233 NZ$2,153

$1,741 NZ$3,041

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,673 NZ$6,414

$2,018 NZ$3,524

$3,785 NZ$6,608

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,287 NZ$5,739

$2,227 NZ$3,889

$5,161 NZ$9,011

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.74

5.79

7.5

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Wairoa - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Wairoa, New Zealand offers a calmer, accessible option for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You’ll notice lower prices for everyday groceries, local services, and basic utilities compared with larger cities, while housing often leans toward long-term rentals that still feel affordable for the size of town. Seasonal tourism can push a few items upward, but you’re unlikely to face the price spikes common in big metro hubs. The trade-off is fewer luxury choices and longer drives for bigger stores, so plan ahead. Reliable internet and a friendly community make remote work feasible in many neighborhoods. Tip: build a simple monthly budget that accounts for occasional trips to larger towns.

A practical daily-life picture starts with simple housing options: a mix of cottages, rental homes, and some shared arrangements can suit different budgets. Grocery shopping happens at local supermarkets and farmers markets, with seasonal produce making meals affordable and flavorful. Getting around is easy by car, with walkable town centers and quiet streets for biking. For remote work, many cafés offer reliable Wi-Fi, and occasional co-working pop-ups appear in community spaces. Errands take a short trip to neighboring towns for certain stores, but you can stock essentials locally most weeks. Wairoa, New Zealand living cost guides your planning. Tip: schedule your weekly shopping and connectivity around local market days.

Quality of life in Wairoa tends to be relaxed, with outdoor activities, safety, and a sense of community at the center. Use a simple budgeting framework, like a flexible monthly plan aligned with seasons: heavier travel and supplies in peak season, tighter groceries in quieter months. Savings tips: shop local, cook at home, share rides, and use community events for free entertainment. Seasonality shapes life – summer festivals, calmer winters – so choose a neighborhood that matches your routine, whether you prefer a waterfront vibe or a hillside outlook. Tip: try a short-term stay in a couple of areas before settling in.