Cost of living in Queenstown

In Queenstown, New Zealand, living costs about $1928 per month for one person and $4418 for a family of four, including rent.

How expensive is Queenstown compared to other cities?

Compared to the European benchmark, Queenstown is 75% more expensive overall.

How does Queenstown compare to your city?

Queenstown is 52% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Queenstown is, on average, 53% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Queenstown?

Who is Queenstown a good fit for?

Queenstown 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 Queenstown so expensive?

The high cost of living in Queenstown is primarily driven by rent and utilities, which significantly exceed average prices. This makes housing a substantial financial commitment for residents.

Is food expensive in Queenstown?

Yes, food prices in Queenstown are 34% higher than the European benchmark, impacting overall living expenses.

Is public transport affordable in Queenstown?

Public transport costs are 32% higher than the European benchmark, making it less accessible for budget-conscious individuals.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
1928 $
Without Rent
693 $
Rent & Utilities
1235 $
Food
500 $
Transport
80 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3368 $
GDP per Capita
48,528 $
Freedom Index
8.88
Lifespan
83 years
Speak English
98%
Population
29.0K

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 11.1 $
Dinner 55.4 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 8.93 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 6.26 $
Capuccino 3.46 $
Coke, 330ml 2.42 $

Compare Queenstown with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.93 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.68 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.65 $
Eggs, 12 pack 5.53 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.38 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.3 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 18.5 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.94 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.11 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.4 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.69 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.03 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.09 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.76 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.46 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 10.4 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.36 $
Cigarette pack 22.5 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 3.45 $
Monthly Pass 101 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.66 $
Taxi, 8 km 19.8 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 37.7 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 4.79 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 5.5 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.17 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.8 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 66 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 101 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 51.1 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,081 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 2,191 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,263 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,592 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 6,327 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 4,456 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,368 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.82%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 52.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 9.43 $
Haircut 15.2 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 95.5 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 69.4 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 395 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 6,284 $

Compare Queenstown with other top cities

Australia
Queenstown vs Melbourne (Melbourne is 24% more expensive) Queenstown vs Sydney (Sydney is 45% more expensive) Queenstown vs Brisbane (Brisbane is 29% more expensive) Queenstown vs Perth (Perth is 22% more expensive) Queenstown vs Adelaide (Adelaide is 16% more expensive) Queenstown vs Gold Coast (Gold Coast is 19% more expensive) Queenstown vs Canberra (Canberra is 24% more expensive) Queenstown vs Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast is 10% less expensive) Queenstown vs Wollongong (Wollongong is 21% less expensive) Queenstown vs Ipswich (Ipswich is 3% less expensive)
New Zealand
Queenstown vs Auckland (Auckland is 14% more expensive) Queenstown vs Christchurch (Christchurch is 3% more expensive) Queenstown vs Manukau (Manukau is 1% more expensive) Queenstown vs Wellington (Wellington is 16% more expensive) Queenstown vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 13% less expensive) Queenstown vs Tauranga (Tauranga is 7% less expensive) Queenstown vs Dunedin (Dunedin is 24% less expensive) Queenstown vs Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt is 3% less expensive) Queenstown vs Palmerston North (Palmerston North is 32% less expensive) Queenstown vs Napier (Napier is 27% less expensive)
Marshall Islands
Queenstown vs Majuro (Majuro is 21% less expensive) Queenstown vs Djarrit (Djarrit is 21% less expensive)
Solomon Islands
Queenstown vs Honiara (Honiara is 24% less expensive) Queenstown vs Auki (Auki is 24% less expensive)
Palau
Queenstown vs Melekeok (Melekeok is 39% less expensive) Queenstown vs Ngerulmud (Ngerulmud is 39% less expensive)
Tonga
Queenstown vs Nukualofa (Nukualofa is 50% less expensive) Queenstown vs Mua (Mua is 50% less expensive)
Fiji
Queenstown vs Suva (Suva is 52% less expensive) Queenstown vs Nasinu (Nasinu is 53% less expensive) Queenstown vs Nadi (Nadi is 53% less expensive) Queenstown vs Lautoka (Lautoka is 69% less expensive)
Samoa
Queenstown vs Manase (Manase is 66% less expensive) Queenstown vs Apia (Apia is 66% less expensive)
Nauru
Queenstown vs Yaren (Yaren is 67% less expensive)
Tuvalu
Queenstown vs Funafuti (Funafuti is 69% less expensive) Queenstown vs Vaiaku (Vaiaku is 69% less expensive)
Papua New Guinea
Queenstown vs Port Moresby (Port Moresby is 71% less expensive) Queenstown vs Lae (Lae is 72% less expensive)
Kiribati
Queenstown vs South Tarawa (South Tarawa is 73% less expensive) Queenstown vs London (London is 73% less expensive)