Cost of living in Palmerston North

In Palmerston North, New Zealand, a single person typically needs around $1318 per month including rent. A family of four may spend about $3411 monthly.

How expensive is Palmerston North compared to other cities?

Overall living costs in Palmerston North are 20% more expensive than the European benchmark.

How does Palmerston North compare to your city?

Palmerston North is 51% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Palmerston North is, on average, 77% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Palmerston North?

Who is Palmerston North a good fit for?

Palmerston North is a better match for people who prioritize lifestyle benefits and can afford the premium driven by food and transport. For most moderate-income households, housing costs are the main barrier.

FAQ

Why is Palmerston North so expensive?

The high cost of living is primarily influenced by food and transport prices, which contribute to the overall expense. Rent and utilities also play a significant role in driving up costs.

Is food expensive in Palmerston North?

Yes, food prices are 46% higher than the European benchmark, making it a significant expense for residents.

Is public transport affordable in Palmerston North?

Public transport is relatively affordable, being 13% lower than the European benchmark, which can help mitigate overall living costs.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
1318 $
Without Rent
705 $
Rent & Utilities
612 $
Food
545 $
Transport
53 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
2761 $
GDP per Capita
48,528 $
Freedom Index
8.88
Lifespan
83 years
Speak English
98%
Population
81.5K

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 15.9 $
Dinner 75.5 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.52 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 5.75 $
Capuccino 3.54 $
Coke, 330ml 2.64 $

Compare Palmerston North with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.92 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.14 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.03 $
Eggs, 12 pack 7.2 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.61 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.9 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 12.4 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.83 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.54 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.34 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.07 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.24 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.05 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.66 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.94 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 9.42 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 3.09 $
Cigarette pack 21.5 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 2.21 $
Monthly Pass 31.7 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.74 $
Taxi, 8 km 19.1 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 35.2 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 6.98 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 3.2 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.46 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.92 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 56 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 85 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 53.8 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 452 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 988 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 707 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,613 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 2,949 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 2,652 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 2,761 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.67%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 36.2 $
Cinema, 1 seat 12.8 $
Haircut 11.1 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 93.1 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 60.7 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 815 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 6,472 $

Compare Palmerston North with other top cities

Australia
Palmerston North vs Melbourne (Melbourne is 82% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Sydney (Sydney is 113% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Brisbane (Brisbane is 89% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Perth (Perth is 78% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Adelaide (Adelaide is 70% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Gold Coast (Gold Coast is 75% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Canberra (Canberra is 82% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast is 31% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Wollongong (Wollongong is 16% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Ipswich (Ipswich is 42% more expensive)
New Zealand
Palmerston North vs Auckland (Auckland is 67% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Christchurch (Christchurch is 50% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Manukau (Manukau is 47% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Wellington (Wellington is 70% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 27% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Tauranga (Tauranga is 36% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Dunedin (Dunedin is 11% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt is 42% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Palmerston North (Palmerston North has similar costs) Palmerston North vs Napier (Napier is 6% more expensive)
Marshall Islands
Palmerston North vs Majuro (Majuro is 16% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Djarrit (Djarrit is 15% more expensive)
Solomon Islands
Palmerston North vs Honiara (Honiara is 11% more expensive) Palmerston North vs Auki (Auki is 11% more expensive)
Palau
Palmerston North vs Melekeok (Melekeok is 11% less expensive) Palmerston North vs Ngerulmud (Ngerulmud is 11% less expensive)
Tonga
Palmerston North vs Nukualofa (Nukualofa is 27% less expensive) Palmerston North vs Mua (Mua is 27% less expensive)
Fiji
Palmerston North vs Suva (Suva is 30% less expensive) Palmerston North vs Nasinu (Nasinu is 32% less expensive) Palmerston North vs Nadi (Nadi is 32% less expensive) Palmerston North vs Lautoka (Lautoka is 54% less expensive)
Samoa
Palmerston North vs Manase (Manase is 50% less expensive) Palmerston North vs Apia (Apia is 50% less expensive)
Nauru
Palmerston North vs Yaren (Yaren is 52% less expensive)
Tuvalu
Palmerston North vs Funafuti (Funafuti is 55% less expensive) Palmerston North vs Vaiaku (Vaiaku is 55% less expensive)
Papua New Guinea
Palmerston North vs Port Moresby (Port Moresby is 58% less expensive) Palmerston North vs Lae (Lae is 59% less expensive)
Kiribati
Palmerston North vs South Tarawa (South Tarawa is 60% less expensive) Palmerston North vs London (London is 61% less expensive)