Greymouth, located on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, offers a unique lifestyle with its scenic landscapes and small-town charm. Understanding the cost of living in Greymouth is crucial for anyone considering moving to or residing in this picturesque town.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to transportation and housing, helping you make informed financial decisions.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $15.74 on average, with a range between $8.74 and $29.15.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $84.53, with prices ranging from $58.3 to $116.6.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $10.49, with a range between $8.74 and $11.66.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $5.25 to $7, imported beer $4.66 to $8.74, cappuccino $2.62 to $4.08, and Coke/Pepsi $1.74 to $2.91.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.08 and $3.15 per liter, averaging $1.85.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.02 and $3.31, with an average price of $1.92.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $4.2 to $8.4, averaging $6.3.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.75 to $3.5 per kg, while oranges range from $2.04 to $4.08 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.17 and $4.08 per kg, and lettuce costs $2 to $4.08 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.43 and $1.7 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $2.62, with a cost of $1.75 to $2.33 per km and $17.49 to $32.06 per hour of waiting.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $19,821.86 and $30,309.96, while a Toyota Corolla ranges from $17,489.88 to $21,739.92.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Data not available for city centre rent prices.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Data not available for outside centre rent prices.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - Data not available for buying prices in the city centre.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Data not available for buying prices outside the centre.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $93.28 and $160.32, averaging $122.45.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $34.98 to $57.72, with an average cost of $47.55.
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 2 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$15.74
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$84.53
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$10.49
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.41
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.26
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.85
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.92
Eggs (regular) (12)
$6.30
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.23
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.45
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$8.74
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.28
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.50
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$23.03
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.03
Apples (1kg)
$2.92
Oranges (1kg)
$3.09
Potato (1kg)
$2.06
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.98
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.67
Tomato (1kg)
$5.42
Banana (1kg)
$2.45
Onion (1kg)
$2.27
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$12.51
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.62
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$26,234.81
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.62
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.75
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.15
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$19,154.91
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$122.45
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$47.55
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$32.32
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$10.49
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.15
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$37.44
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$83.37
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$140.57
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.84%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$619.43
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$9,916.76
Greymouth Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Greymouth offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger cities in New Zealand. Dining out is reasonably priced, with a variety of options available.

Grocery prices are moderate, with essentials like milk and bread being quite affordable. Transportation costs are manageable, especially for those who drive.

Housing data is limited, but utility costs are on the lower end, making it an attractive option for those looking to save on living expenses.

Conclusion

Overall, Greymouth presents a cost-effective living environment, particularly appealing to those who appreciate a quieter lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of larger urban areas.

While some data on housing is unavailable, the general affordability of other living expenses makes Greymouth a viable option for individuals and families alike.