Cost of living in Nelson

In Nelson, New Zealand, a single person typically needs around $1640 per month including rent. A family of four may spend about $3797 monthly.

How expensive is Nelson compared to other cities?

Compared to the European benchmark, Nelson is 49% more expensive overall.

How does Nelson compare to your city?

Nelson is 49% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Nelson is, on average, 65% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Nelson?

Who is Nelson a good fit for?

Nelson tends to fit higher-income residents who can comfortably absorb housing costs. It can be challenging on a moderate budget, mainly due to rent and utilities.

FAQ

Why is Nelson so expensive?

The high costs in Nelson are primarily driven by rent and utilities, which significantly impact overall living expenses.

Is food expensive in Nelson?

Yes, food costs are 51% higher than the European benchmark, making grocery shopping more costly.

Is public transport affordable in Nelson?

Public transport is relatively affordable, being 12% lower than the European benchmark.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
1640 $
Without Rent
735 $
Rent & Utilities
905 $
Food
563 $
Transport
54 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3365 $
GDP per Capita
48,528 $
Freedom Index
8.88
Lifespan
83 years
Speak English
98%
Population
51.1K

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 15.9 $
Dinner 82.4 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.51 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 6.28 $
Capuccino 3.4 $
Coke, 330ml 2.69 $

Compare Nelson with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.92 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.96 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.2 $
Eggs, 12 pack 6.69 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.74 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.79 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.7 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.25 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.54 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.39 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.04 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.4 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.01 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.85 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.32 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 10.1 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 3.02 $
Cigarette pack 25.1 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 2.51 $
Monthly Pass 31.6 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.72 $
Taxi, 8 km 19.3 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 33.4 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 9.89 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 4.38 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.05 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.67 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 112 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 171 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 54.2 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 695 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,351 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 916 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,576 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 3,179 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 2,588 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,365 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.85%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 51.9 $
Cinema, 1 seat 11.3 $
Haircut 15.7 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 112 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 63.9 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 383 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 9,581 $

Compare Nelson with other top cities

Australia
Nelson vs Melbourne (Melbourne is 46% more expensive) Nelson vs Sydney (Sydney is 71% more expensive) Nelson vs Brisbane (Brisbane is 52% more expensive) Nelson vs Perth (Perth is 43% more expensive) Nelson vs Adelaide (Adelaide is 37% more expensive) Nelson vs Gold Coast (Gold Coast is 40% more expensive) Nelson vs Canberra (Canberra is 46% more expensive) Nelson vs Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast is 6% more expensive) Nelson vs Wollongong (Wollongong is 7% less expensive) Nelson vs Ipswich (Ipswich is 14% more expensive)
New Zealand
Nelson vs Auckland (Auckland is 34% more expensive) Nelson vs Christchurch (Christchurch is 21% more expensive) Nelson vs Manukau (Manukau is 18% more expensive) Nelson vs Wellington (Wellington is 36% more expensive) Nelson vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 2% more expensive) Nelson vs Tauranga (Tauranga is 9% more expensive) Nelson vs Dunedin (Dunedin is 11% less expensive) Nelson vs Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt is 14% more expensive) Nelson vs Palmerston North (Palmerston North is 20% less expensive) Nelson vs Napier (Napier is 14% less expensive)
Marshall Islands
Nelson vs Majuro (Majuro is 7% less expensive) Nelson vs Djarrit (Djarrit is 7% less expensive)
Solomon Islands
Nelson vs Honiara (Honiara is 11% less expensive) Nelson vs Auki (Auki is 11% less expensive)
Palau
Nelson vs Melekeok (Melekeok is 29% less expensive) Nelson vs Ngerulmud (Ngerulmud is 29% less expensive)
Tonga
Nelson vs Nukualofa (Nukualofa is 41% less expensive) Nelson vs Mua (Mua is 41% less expensive)
Fiji
Nelson vs Suva (Suva is 44% less expensive) Nelson vs Nasinu (Nasinu is 45% less expensive) Nelson vs Nadi (Nadi is 45% less expensive) Nelson vs Lautoka (Lautoka is 63% less expensive)
Samoa
Nelson vs Manase (Manase is 60% less expensive) Nelson vs Apia (Apia is 60% less expensive)
Nauru
Nelson vs Yaren (Yaren is 62% less expensive)
Tuvalu
Nelson vs Funafuti (Funafuti is 64% less expensive) Nelson vs Vaiaku (Vaiaku is 64% less expensive)
Papua New Guinea
Nelson vs Port Moresby (Port Moresby is 66% less expensive) Nelson vs Lae (Lae is 67% less expensive)
Kiribati
Nelson vs South Tarawa (South Tarawa is 68% less expensive) Nelson vs London (London is 68% less expensive)