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New Plymouth, New Zealand
Capital City

Follows New Zealand Residency Rules. Check Digital Nomad & Retiree Pathways →
Est. Monthly Cost (1 Person)
$2,091
Retiree Score
71.0
Safety Index
—
Healthcare
9 facilities

With a population of just 57,600, New Plymouth is a sleepy service hub for the surrounding dairy and petrochemical industries. The mild oceanic climate and 13 km coastal walkway offer pleasant amenities, but the city's bureaucracy can be a persistent headache, as evidenced by the long-running saga over toxic dioxin contamination from a local chemical plant. For those seeking a quiet, unassuming pace of life, New Plymouth may be a suitable option, but it's unlikely to excite those craving urban dynamism.

Can I afford New Plymouth?

$

New Plymouth

You could save

909/mo

Savings Rate30%

Monthly Costs

Rent $1,117
Living (Country Average Adjusted)$975

Attractiveness Scores

FIRE Score
(i)
30/100
Retiree Score
(i)
71/100
Lifestyle Score
(i)
53/100
💻Nomad Score
(i)
50/100
Meets New Zealand Digital Nomad Visa Income Rule.
—
Safety
9
Healthcare
100
Walkability
20
Nomad

Grocery Basket

Milk (1L) $3
Bread (loaf) *$2
Eggs (12) $11
Rice (1kg) *$1
Chicken (1kg) *$4

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Eating Out

Meal (Inexpensive) *$25
Meal (Mid-range) $160
Cappuccino $6
Water (0.33L) *$1

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Utilities & Lifestyle

Utilities (mo) $350
Mobile Plan (mo) $50
Gym (mo) *$75
Cinema Ticket $18

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Housing

1BR Center (mo) $670
1BR Outside (mo) *$571
3BR Center (mo) $1,680
3BR Outside (mo) *$907

* Estimated based on regional averages.

🧳 Expat Life

English Proficiency
Widely Spoken
Expat Community
Small
Top Neighborhoods
Fitzroy, Westown
Best For
nature lovers, families

Expat Life Notes

Consistently ranked as one of the best lifestyle cities in the world. Dominated by Mt Taranaki.

Pros

  • ✓ Incredible surf and hiking
  • ✓ Strong arts scene
  • ✓ Wealthy due to energy industry

Cons

  • ✗ Isolated location
  • ✗ Rainy climate
  • ✗ Limited job variety outside energy

🌐 Infrastructure & Lifestyle

Avg Internet
—
Temperature
—
Annual Rainfall
2939 mm
Coworking Spaces
—
Best Months to Visit
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec

Also Consider

Manukau, New ZealandWaiheke Island, New ZealandUberaba, BrazilLiving in Uberaba offers a mild climate and affordable rents in Brazil’s agribusiness heartland. Ideal for budget-conscious expats seeking a quieter lifestyle.Serra, BrazilLiving in Serra, Brazil offers dirt-cheap rents near Vitória, but requires Portuguese fluency. Coastal access comes with sprawl and uneven infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about New Plymouth

Click any question to expand the answer.

New Plymouth has a population of approximately 57,600 people.

A single person can expect to spend around $2,792 per month in New Plymouth, including rent. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1117/month.

The nearest airport to New Plymouth is AKL, approximately 236km away.

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