Cost of living in Rarotonga

Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands, is a tropical paradise known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering a move or extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Rarotonga, covering everything from dining and groceries to transportation and housing, helping you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $8.76 on average, with a range between $5.84 and $11.68.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $46.74, with prices ranging from $35.05 to $89.38.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $7.3, with a range between $5.84 and $8.76.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $3.51 to $9.93, imported beer $5.26 to $8.76, cappuccino $2.92 to $5.55, and Coke/Pepsi $2.34 to $4.97.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.46 and $2.92 per liter, averaging $2.19.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.77 and $2.92, with an average price of $2.85.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs average $6.31.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.89 per kg, while oranges average $3.48 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes and lettuce are priced at $1.75 per kg and per head, respectively.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $2.92.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced at $1.76 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $20.45, with a cost of $23.37 per km and $35.05 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre is not specified.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - The price per square meter outside the centre is not specified.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment average $87.63.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $87.05 to $116.84, with an average cost of $101.94.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 7 user contributions, as of the most recent update in May, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$8.76
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$46.74
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$7.30
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.01
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.99
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$2.19
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.85
Eggs (regular) (12)
$6.31
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.47
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.51
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$8.76
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.51
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.26
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$14.60
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.01
Apples (1kg)
$2.89
Oranges (1kg)
$3.48
Potato (1kg)
$1.75
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.75
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.46
Tomato (1kg)
$2.92
Banana (1kg)
$2.92
Onion (1kg)
$1.34
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$7.01
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$2.92
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.76
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$11,684.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$20.45
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$23.37
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.05
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$87.63
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$101.94
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$29.21
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$24.34
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.37
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$6.72
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
8%
Childcare
Avg / Range
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$1,402.08
OverviewJob Market
Rarotonga Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Rarotonga offers a relatively affordable dining experience, with inexpensive meals and moderate prices for mid-range dining.

Grocery prices vary, with some items like eggs and cheese being more expensive, reflecting the island's import reliance.

Transportation costs are moderate, with affordable public transport and slightly higher taxi fares.

Utilities are reasonably priced, but internet services can be costly compared to other regions.

Conclusion

Rarotonga presents a unique cost of living landscape, balancing affordable dining and moderate transportation costs with higher grocery and internet prices.

Prospective residents should consider these factors when planning their budget, especially the impact of import costs on everyday items.

Overall, Rarotonga offers a beautiful living environment with a cost structure that reflects its island nature.

Rarotonga

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of Rarotonga
All cities in Cook Islands