Cost of living in Wanaka

In Wanaka, New Zealand, living costs about $1916 per month for one person and $4047 for a family of four, including rent.

How expensive is Wanaka compared to other cities?

Wanaka is 74% more expensive overall versus the European benchmark.

How does Wanaka compare to your city?

Wanaka is 53% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Wanaka is, on average, 52% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Wanaka?

Who is Wanaka a good fit for?

Wanaka is most realistic when moving with a strong job offer or relocation package. Without high income, the housing-driven price level can be difficult to sustain.

FAQ

Why is Wanaka so expensive?

The primary reason for Wanaka's high cost of living is the significant increase in rent and utilities. This expense places a heavy burden on residents.

Is food expensive in Wanaka?

Yes, food prices are 31% higher than the European benchmark, contributing to the overall cost of living. Residents should budget accordingly for groceries and dining out.

Is public transport affordable in Wanaka?

Public transport costs are 16% higher than the European benchmark, making it less accessible for budget-conscious individuals. This may affect commuting choices for residents.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
1916 $
Without Rent
670 $
Rent & Utilities
1246 $
Food
487 $
Transport
70 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
5013 $
GDP per Capita
48,528 $
Freedom Index
8.88
Lifespan
83 years
Speak English
98%
Population
8.9K

Do you live in Wanaka? Help us.

Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 11.4 $
Dinner 63.1 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 4.6 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 6.33 $
Capuccino 2.62 $
Coke, 330ml 1.49 $

Compare Wanaka with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.15 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.1 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.09 $
Eggs, 12 pack 5.63 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.38 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.7 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.8 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.17 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.35 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.39 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.16 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.08 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.1 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.75 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.47 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 9.52 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.87 $
Cigarette pack 25.3 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 2.9 $
Monthly Pass 88.5 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.76 $
Taxi, 8 km 16.5 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 37.2 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 6.23 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 5.09 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.13 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.78 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 59 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 91 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 55.6 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,088 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,839 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,303 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,079 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 5,51 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 3,91 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 5,013 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 7.11%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 44.6 $
Cinema, 1 seat 9.56 $
Haircut 15.5 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 99.1 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 69.5 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 615 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 7,362 $

Compare Wanaka with other top cities

Australia
Wanaka vs Melbourne (Melbourne is 25% more expensive) Wanaka vs Sydney (Sydney is 46% more expensive) Wanaka vs Brisbane (Brisbane is 30% more expensive) Wanaka vs Perth (Perth is 22% more expensive) Wanaka vs Adelaide (Adelaide is 17% more expensive) Wanaka vs Gold Coast (Gold Coast is 20% more expensive) Wanaka vs Canberra (Canberra is 25% more expensive) Wanaka vs Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast is 10% less expensive) Wanaka vs Wollongong (Wollongong is 20% less expensive) Wanaka vs Ipswich (Ipswich is 2% less expensive)
New Zealand
Wanaka vs Auckland (Auckland is 15% more expensive) Wanaka vs Christchurch (Christchurch is 3% more expensive) Wanaka vs Manukau (Manukau is 1% more expensive) Wanaka vs Wellington (Wellington is 17% more expensive) Wanaka vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 13% less expensive) Wanaka vs Tauranga (Tauranga is 7% less expensive) Wanaka vs Dunedin (Dunedin is 24% less expensive) Wanaka vs Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt is 3% less expensive) Wanaka vs Palmerston North (Palmerston North is 31% less expensive) Wanaka vs Napier (Napier is 27% less expensive)
Marshall Islands
Wanaka vs Majuro (Majuro is 21% less expensive) Wanaka vs Djarrit (Djarrit is 21% less expensive)
Solomon Islands
Wanaka vs Honiara (Honiara is 24% less expensive) Wanaka vs Auki (Auki is 24% less expensive)
Palau
Wanaka vs Melekeok (Melekeok is 39% less expensive) Wanaka vs Ngerulmud (Ngerulmud is 39% less expensive)
Tonga
Wanaka vs Nukualofa (Nukualofa is 50% less expensive) Wanaka vs Mua (Mua is 50% less expensive)
Fiji
Wanaka vs Suva (Suva is 52% less expensive) Wanaka vs Nasinu (Nasinu is 53% less expensive) Wanaka vs Nadi (Nadi is 53% less expensive) Wanaka vs Lautoka (Lautoka is 69% less expensive)
Samoa
Wanaka vs Manase (Manase is 66% less expensive) Wanaka vs Apia (Apia is 66% less expensive)
Nauru
Wanaka vs Yaren (Yaren is 67% less expensive)
Tuvalu
Wanaka vs Funafuti (Funafuti is 69% less expensive) Wanaka vs Vaiaku (Vaiaku is 69% less expensive)
Papua New Guinea
Wanaka vs Port Moresby (Port Moresby is 71% less expensive) Wanaka vs Lae (Lae is 72% less expensive)
Kiribati
Wanaka vs South Tarawa (South Tarawa is 73% less expensive) Wanaka vs London (London is 73% less expensive)