Gisborne, located on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, is known for its beautiful beaches and rich cultural heritage. Understanding the cost of living in Gisborne is crucial for anyone considering moving to or visiting this picturesque city.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect in Gisborne, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, 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 $14.66 on average, with a range between $8.8 and $20.52.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $58.64, with prices ranging from $46.91 to $82.1.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $8.21, with a range between $7.04 and $8.8.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $3.52 to $7.04, imported beer $5.28 to $12.9, cappuccino $2.93 to $4.1, and Coke/Pepsi $1.17 to $2.35.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.06 and $1.58 per liter, averaging $1.35.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.1 and $2.35, with an average price of $2.02.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $3.52 to $8.8, averaging $6.76.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.76 to $2.64 per kg, while oranges range from $2.05 to $2.93 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.17 and $2.04 per kg, and lettuce costs $2.35 to $2.93 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (Monthly Pass) - A monthly pass for local transport costs $76.23.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.47 and $1.71 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $1.76, with a cost of $0.88 to $1.76 per km.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre is $938.26.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $762.34 to $938.26, averaging $850.3.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1290.11 to $1524.67, averaging $1407.39.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1055.54 to $1524.67, averaging $1290.11.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $113.28 and $175.92, averaging $145.51.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $52.19 to $58.64, with an average cost of $52.66.
Worldwide
New Zealand

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for New Zealand are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in New Zealand, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 9 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$14.66
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$58.64
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$8.21
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.86
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.04
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.34
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.35
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.02
Eggs (regular) (12)
$6.76
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.39
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$8.80
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.01
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.20
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$22.28
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.03
Apples (1kg)
$2.49
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33
Potato (1kg)
$1.71
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.49
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.50
Tomato (1kg)
$4.50
Banana (1kg)
$2.16
Onion (1kg)
$1.27
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$11.61
Transportation
Avg / Range
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$76.23
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.61
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$30,783.75
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.76
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.32
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$17,592.39
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$938.26
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$850.30
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$1,407.39
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,290.11
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$145.51
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$52.66
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$38.48
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$41.05
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.73
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$11.73
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.82
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$28.34
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$92.65
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$95.29
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,371.87
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.8%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$596.97
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$9,382.61
Gisborne Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Gisborne offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger cities in New Zealand, particularly in terms of housing and dining.

While transportation costs are moderate, owning a car might be more economical due to the limited public transport options.

Grocery prices are reasonable, but imported goods and certain fresh produce can be more expensive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Gisborne provides a balanced cost of living with affordable housing and dining options, making it an attractive place for both residents and visitors.

Potential residents should consider the transportation options and plan accordingly, as public transport is limited. Overall, Gisborne offers a pleasant lifestyle with manageable expenses.