Rarotonga, the jewel of the Cook Islands, beckons with its lush green mountains, vibrant blue lagoon, and the promise of an idyllic island life. For many though, dreaming of a permanent escape or a longer-term stay, a key question inevitably arises: what is the true cost of living in this South Pacific paradise?
The answer, as with many island nations, is nuanced: it can be surprisingly expensive in some areas, yet remarkably affordable in others, largely depending on how much you embrace the local way of life.
But the good news from our end? We’ve done it twice!
This is our second time living in Rarotonga and moving to the Cook Islands as a family.
So not only can we share with you all about moving to Rarotonga. But we also have all the deets about shipping, health checks, renting a house, buying a car, schools – and the cost of living in Rarotonga!
Read all about:
- PART 1 – Moving to Rarotonga, Cook Islands
- PART 2 – Navigating Health Checks for Your Move to Rarotonga
- PART 3 – Shipping for Your Move to Rarotonga
- PART 4 – Finding and Renting a House in Rarotonga
- PART 5 – Buying a Car in Rarotonga
Now, let’s get into making that move and talk about some figures and costs of living in Rarotonga before you get going.
Accommodation: Cost of Living in Rarotonga
Housing is often the most significant portion of anyone’s budget, and Rarotonga is no exception.
Rentals:
For those looking to rent a house in Rarotonga, options range from simple, local-style homes to more modern, expat-standard residences. A basic two or three-bedroom local home might start from NZD $350 – $550 per week. But these can be scarce and quickly snapped up.
For a modern, furnished two or three-bedroom house with amenities catering to a Western standard (e.g., air conditioning, reliable hot water), you could easily expect to pay anywhere from NZD $600 – $800+ per week. Or even more for prime beachfront or elevated view properties.
Long-term rentals are less common than holiday rentals, and demand often outstrips supply, especially for quality homes.
Buying Property:
Owning land in the Cook Islands is complex. Most land is native title, meaning it cannot be freehold. Foreigners and non-native Cook Islanders can only lease land, typically for 60 years.
While purchasing a leasehold property (a house built on leased land) can be very expensive, comparable to property prices in smaller New Zealand towns, often starting from NZD $500,000 for a decent family home and going well into the millions for luxury beachfront villas.
In our opinion, the best option for living in Rarotonga as an expat is to rent a house.
Hey! We are Away With The Steiners. Wondering honestly about Living in Rarotonga, Cook Islands?
Food: Cost of Living in Rarotonga
Food costs are a prime example of the ‘imported vs. local’ dichotomy.
Imported Groceries:
Because most processed goods, dairy products, certain meats, and many pantry staples are imported from New Zealand, Australia, or further afield, their prices in local supermarkets (like Foodland or CITC) are significantly higher than what you’d pay in those countries.
Expect to pay a premium of 20-50% more for items like cheese, yogurt, cereals, good quality beef, and packaged snacks. If your diet relies heavily on these, your grocery bill will be substantial.
Local Produce & Fish:
This is where you can (sometimes) save big! The Punanga Nui Market (especially on Saturday mornings) and roadside stalls are bursting with incredibly fresh, delicious, and affordably priced local fruits and vegetables.
Find pawpaw, mangoes, bananas, passionfruit. Or vegetables like taro, kumara, breadfruit for local prices.
Plus – living on an island – crucially, fresh fish. Buying fresh tuna or mahi-mahi directly from a fisherman by the kilo, can be surprisingly cheap, providing multiple meals. Also buying it fresh this way, the fish will have already been fitted and processed.
Embracing local ingredients is key to managing food costs of living in Rarotonga.
Dining Out:
Restaurants range from budget-friendly takeaways offering local fried chicken and fish sandwiches (NZD $10-$20 per meal) to mid-range cafes (NZD $20-$40 for a main) and high-end tourist restaurants (NZD $50-$80+ for a main course).
Eating out regularly, especially at tourist-oriented spots, adds up quickly.
Utilities & General Expenses: Cost of Living in Rarotonga
Electricity:
Due to the reliance on generators and increasingly solar power, electricity is relatively expensive.
Running air conditioning extensively can lead to bills upwards of NZD $300-$500+ per month for a family home.
Our most recent electricity bills per month living in Rarotonga in 2025 cost around $150 NZD monthly. That is with our house on solar water heating plus using fans (not-AC) inside the house.
Water:
Our household water is not charged as a separate cost of living in Rarotonga.
Though do note if you don’t have filtered drinking water in your rental house you will need to use the drinking water stations or purchase drinking water.
Utilities & General Expenses: Cost of Living in Rarotonga
Internet & Phone:
With the Manatua fibre optic cable, internet speeds in Rarotonga have improved. But internet costs are still higher (much) than in larger nations.
A local SIM card with a generous data bundle might cost NZD $50-$80 per month.
Albeit that is significantly cheaper than roaming. Home internet packages vary but can be NZD $80-$150+ per month for decent speed.
The best option as far as the cost of living in Rarotonga in 2026 is to have Starlink for WIFI. This is now one of the recommended things to bring with you if you are considering moving to the Cook Islands!
Transport: Cost of living in Rarotonga
A scooter is the primary mode of transport for many, with fuel being moderately expensive. Car rental for long-term is costly (not worth it). Though purchasing a used car is tricky with a limited local market.
The local bus service is convenient but limited in frequency.
Both times we have moved to Rarotonga as a family, we have purchased a second-hand car.
A basic, entry-level and island-style used car costs anywhere from $5000 – $10,000 NZD.
Schooling: Public vs. Private
The good news about schooling in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands is that the majority of education is government funded.
Public Schools:
Government primary (e.g., Apii Avarua, Apii Nikao) and secondary schools (Tereora College) generally offer free tuition for Cook Islands residents and citizens.
However, parents are usually expected to contribute to voluntary school fees, uniforms, stationery, and specific activity costs.
At Apii Nikao the voluntary school fees are NZD $10 per term; or $40 NZD per child, per year.
Private Schools:
Schools like Apii Te Uki Ou (private, international focus) or St Joseph’s (Catholic) charge annual fees that can be substantial for expatriate families.
Apii Te Uki Ou costs NZD $2800 per child, per year ($70 NZD per child, per week). Plus, there are additional costs for uniforms, excursions, and resources.
Healthcare: Cost of Living in Rarotonga
Healthcare costs in Rarotonga vary, with some basic services being free while others incur charges.
Public health services are generally free or subsidized. But costs can increase for specialist visits, procedures, and for non-residents.
Public Healthcare:
Rarotonga Hospital provides primary and emergency care, which is largely free or very low cost for Cook Islands residents and citizens.
However, for serious medical conditions or complex procedures, patients often need to be evacuated to New Zealand, which can be extremely expensive.
Private/Emergency:
There are very limited private medical facilities. For visitors and non-resident long-termers, comprehensive travel insurance with robust medical evacuation cover is absolutely non-negotiable.
Without it, a medical emergency could lead to bills in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Travel: The Island Gateway Cost
Flights to Rarotonga:
The cost of getting to Rarotonga, particularly from Europe or North America, can be a significant upfront expense.
Even from New Zealand or Australia, flights, while more frequent, are not always cheap, especially during peak season. This is a one-off cost to consider when planning a move or extended stay.
Inter-island Travel:
If you plan to explore the outer islands (Pa Enua), domestic flights are available but can be costly and less frequent, adding to your overall travel budget.
Definitely a cost that is worth factoring in. The Pa Enua are an incredible bonus to explore if you get the chance while living in Rarotonga!
The Overall Picture: Paradise Comes at a Price
Living in Rarotonga offers an unparalleled lifestyle: pristine nature, a strong sense of community, and a slower pace of life.
There is a ‘Paradise Tax’ that means certain comforts and imported goods will cost you more.
However, if you are willing to adjust your lifestyle – embracing fresh local produce and fish, cycling or scootering, living in a more local-style home, and enjoying the island’s many free natural attractions – the cost of living in Rarotonga can be managed.
It’s a trade-off between material conveniences and an enriching, unique island experience! Which either way; it’s good to know in advance about the realities of the cost of living in Rarotonga.
We’re so pleased we made the move and, even though we’re watching the budget, our experiences so far have been quite priceless.
Read More About Travel To Rarotonga
- All About The Rarotonga Bus.
- 10 Unforgettable Walks In Rarotonga.
- 10 Historical Sites You Must See In Rarotonga.
- Hiking The Needle Cross Island Walk.
- Hiring A Bike In Rarotonga.
- How To Get Your Scooter License In Rarotonga.
- 15 Essential Tips On Visiting Rarotonga.
- Rarotonga Reef Explorer Tour With Ariimoana.
Useful Links For Travel to Cook Islands & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads including those who have already left home. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE BEFORE TRAVELING TO COOK ISLANDS!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.