Cost of living in Tauranga

Tauranga, a vibrant city in New Zealand, offers a unique blend of coastal living and urban amenities. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for both potential residents and those planning to relocate.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Tauranga, covering essential categories such as housing, dining, transportation, and more.

An image showcasing the beauty of Tauranga

People enjoying the surroundings of Tauranga

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant MealA 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

MilkMilk 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 (One-Way Ticket)A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.52 and $1.88.
Fuel (Gasoline)Gasoline is priced between $1.47 and $1.64 per liter.
Taxi FaresTaxi 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 ranges from $938.26 to $1993.8, averaging $1147.02.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $879.62 to $1759.24, averaging $1039.12.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1466.03 to $2638.86, averaging $1641.96.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1348.75 to $1677.14, averaging $1467.99.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre)The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $4984.51.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $1172.83 to $3518.48, averaging $2345.65.

Utilities

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

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 41 user contributions, as of the most recent update in October, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

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

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

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$1.70

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

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

$17,592.39

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,043.23

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

6.83%

Childcare

Avg / Range

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

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: Oct, 2025

Affordability

Affordable

About this index

Tauranga Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Tauranga offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger cities in New Zealand, with moderate housing and dining costs.
Transportation is economical, with low public transport and fuel prices, making it easy to navigate the city.
Grocery prices are reasonable, though some items like eggs and cheese can be on the higher side.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tauranga presents a balanced cost of living, making it an attractive option for those seeking a coastal lifestyle with urban conveniences.

While housing and some grocery items may be pricier, the overall expenses are manageable, especially with the city's affordable transportation options.

Tauranga