The cost of living in Queenstown is especially interesting for those who have set their sights on the adventure capital of New Zealand. Knowing how much you need to live in the city is the starting point of the journey.
Studying in New Zealand is an unforgettable experience. A great place to do it is undoubtedly Queenstown, a small and welcoming city nestled among the mountains, ideal for enjoying the beauty and tranquillity of this magnificent country.
At GrowPro, we are travel experts, and we want your journey to be a success. That’s why we put in 100% effort and prepared this article. Want to know the cost of living in Queenstown? We’ll tell you here!
*All prices shown in this article are for reference and may vary over time.
What is the cost of living in Queenstown?
First of all, you should know that the cost of living in New Zealand is a bit high. This is because it is a country with a high quality of life and well-paying jobs. The minimum wage in New Zealand is 22.70 NZD (New Zealand dollars).
So, we recommend that your expenses match your earnings. Although, of course, this largely depends on the lifestyle you adopt.
It’s difficult to say for certain, but living in Queenstown can cost between 1700 and 2600 NZD* per month. To make it clearer, we detail the most important aspects below. This way, you’ll know what to consider when budgeting.
Cost of Rent in Queenstown
One aspect that defines the cost of living in Queenstown is the type of accommodation you choose and the area where you want to live. Although, of course, the cost of renting in this city can be higher than in other parts of the country.
For example, renting a furnished one-bedroom apartment can cost around 510 NZD* per week. However, there are other more economical options such as staying in a homestay.
In a homestay, you get a private room and experience Kiwi culture from the inside. Additionally, sometimes meals are included, and rent ranges from 300 to 360 NZD* weekly.
A third option is shared apartments. You can find a room from 350 NZD* per week. However, as we mentioned earlier, this depends on the location. Don’t worry! Below, we show you the best neighbourhoods.
Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Queenstown
What is the cost of living in Queenstown? It depends on the neighbourhood you live in. You see, accommodation in the centre is more expensive than on the outskirts of the city. Although there isn’t a specific figure, keeping this in mind can give you an idea of the expense according to the area.
If you’re determined to move to this beautiful New Zealand city as a student, consider the following neighbourhoods, they are the best option if you want to save money. Take a look!
- Frankton. Ideal for living near Queenstown but away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Rentals are more affordable, and it has a shopping area you won’t want to miss. The downside is that you need a car to go to the centre.
- Fernhill. Do you like cycling and walking in nature? This neighbourhood is for you! Located on the outskirts of the city, rents are cheaper. Here too, you need to travel by car to go to the centre, so consider it if you like going out at night.
- Queenstown Hill. A good area if you want to live near the center without spending too much. Its main attraction is the Time Walk trail, which is not to exaggerate, but it has breathtaking views!
- The centre. The most convenient and expensive area of the city. It’s close to everything, so you can walk anywhere. However, the cost of accommodation is higher, so what you save on transportation you spend on rent.
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Cost of Food
We can’t talk about the cost of living in Queenstown without mentioning food. As the saying goes, a full belly is a happy heart! The good news is that New Zealand food won’t disappoint you; it’s delicious!
In a weekly grocery shopping trip, you’ll spend approximately 115 NZD*. If you prefer to eat out, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant will cost you between 25 and 50 NZD*. But if you’re short on time, a fast-food meal will cost you 14 NZD*.
Cost of Public Utilities in Queenstown
Food and housing are essential parts of the cost of living in Queenstown, but you also need to consider the cost of public utilities. Include approximately 123 NZD* per month in your budget for basic expenses: electricity, water, garbage, and the like.
Add 83 NZD* for fixed internet and 50 NZD* for mobile phone service. Don’t worry if the total of all services adds up a bit. In New Zealand, you can work and study at the same time! So, it’s just a matter of organizing and budgeting well to not spend more than you earn.
Cost of Transportation
Transportation is a crucial aspect to consider if you’re wondering about the cost of studying in New Zealand. As a student, you need to move regularly between your school, work, and home.
The good news is that Queenstown is a small city where you can bike almost anywhere. However, if biking isn’t your thing, public transportation is the most recommended option.
For 5 NZD*, you can get a Bee Card and top it up whenever you need. It’s not mandatory to take the bus, but it will be cheaper if you have it. With the Bee Card, the fare is 2 NZD*, whereas without it, you pay 4 NZD*.
There are other transportation options to consider if you’re studying in Queenstown. We know they may not be the cheapest, but you’ll probably need them at some point:
- One-hour taxi ride: 60 NZD*.
- 1 litre of gasoline: 2.79 NZD*.
Cost of Leisure and Entertainment Activities
Last but not least are the expenses for leisure and entertainment. Because in life, it’s not all study and work; fun also counts!
Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll discover everything there is to see and do in Queenstown. It’s no wonder it’s the favourite place for adrenaline and adventure lovers.
Entertainment activities are part of the cost of living in Queenstown. Whether your Friday night plan is to go out for a drink or to the movies with friends, there will be a cost to consider. For example:
- 1 movie ticket: 16 NZD*.
- Cappuccino in an upscale area of the city: 5 NZD*.
- 0.5-liter bottle of local beer in a restaurant: 9 NZD*.
- Monthly gym membership fee: 76 NZD*.
- 1 drink in an upscale bar: 16 NZD*.
- Dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant: 67 NZD*.
Live your next adventure in New Zealand with GrowPro
Now that you know the cost of living in Queenstown, the next step is to plan your trip! Don’t worry if you don’t know where to start; we’ll help you. We specialise in providing unforgettable educational experiences.
At GrowPro, we assist you with your visa application and medical insurance enrollment. And as for enrolling in your course, don’t stress, we’ll do it for you!
The best part is that if you decide to experience Kiwi life, we’ll invite you to exclusive workshops and community events at GrowPro. So, are you ready to experience the adventure in New Zealand?
Choose one of our experiences to study and work in New Zealand. You can study English, enrol in a Hospitality and Tourism course, or how about one in Marketing? The choice is yours! Just fill out the form with your details, and our Student Advisors will get in touch with you.
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