Updated:
If you've ever considered moving to New Zealand, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in New Zealand?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in New Zealand and whether the reported $2548 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $2549.91.
Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
12.29 $ |
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
67.03 $ |
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
7.82 $ |
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
5.59 $ |
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
5.59 $ |
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
2.89 $ |
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
1.99 $ |
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
1.74 $ |
|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.62 $ |
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
1.7 $ |
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
1.74 $ |
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
3.79 $ |
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
7.88 $ |
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
7.82 $ |
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
12.1 $ |
|
Apples (1 lb) |
2.38 $ |
|
Banana (1 lb) |
1.79 $ |
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
2.6 $ |
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
2.99 $ |
|
Potato (1 lb) |
1.78 $ |
|
Onion (1 lb) |
1.52 $ |
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
2.3 $ |
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
0.93 $ |
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
8.94 $ |
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
2.64 $ |
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
3.03 $ |
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
20.25 $ |
|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
1.96 $ |
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
85.07 $ |
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
2.09 $ |
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
1.68 $ |
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
33.51 $ |
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
1.59 $ |
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
21226.0 $ |
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
18411.73 $ |
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
113.91 $ |
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
0.24 $ |
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
46.89 $ |
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
34.2 $ |
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
12.29 $ |
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
10.05 $ |
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
635.14 $ |
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
9818.77 $ |
|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
59.91 $ |
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
36.27 $ |
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
83.55 $ |
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
99.51 $ |
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
942.96 $ |
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
768.69 $ |
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
1552.74 $ |
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
1271.55 $ |
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
4711.62 $ |
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
3408.63 $ |
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
2549.91 $ |
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
4.18 % |
|
The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 12.29 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 67.03 USD.
Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 1.62 USD, a loaf of bread 1.7 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 3.79 USD.
Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 1.96 USD and a monthly pass around 85.07 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.
For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 113.91 USD.
For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 34.2 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 12.29 USD.
Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 635.14 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 9818.77 USD.
Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 59.91 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 83.55 USD.
Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 942.96 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 768.69 USD.
If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 4711.62 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 3408.63 USD.
The average monthly net salary here is about 2549.91 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 4.18% annually.
New Zealand
New Zealand is, overall, a very safe country to visit. The crime rates are low, and the crime that does exist is mostly petty theft and bag snatching.
Transportation is generally very safe in New Zealand. Still, be cautious in public transport, because this is where pickpockets usually operate.
Areas frequented by tourists, especially in Auckland, are known to be affected by pickpockets. Take basic precaution measures and keep your valuables in a safe place.
When it comes to natural disasters, New Zealand is known for earthquakes. Also, there is a number of active volcanoes, and occasional eruptions may take place. Another issue in New Zealand are huge insects with a scary physical appearance that isn't dangerous, and some dangerous, venomous ones called “redback” and “kapito”.
An occurrence of mugging or kidnapping is not likely in New Zealand. Mugging is extremely rare, but the chances still exist, in remote areas and the outskirts of big cities. In such a situation, never resist and hand over everything you own immediately.
There haven't been any terrorist attacks in New Zealand's recent history, but they shouldn't be ruled out, so be aware of your surroundings at all times.
There are a couple of scams that are well known throughout New Zealand, such as the lottery winning scam where you receive a letter saying you won a lottery prize, and if you want to collect it, you have to pay a certain fee. In order to collect your winnings, you are asked to pay a fee. Another scam is the Inland Revenue scam where scammers claim to be from a certain legal establishment and call people saying that they are being investigated and have to pay a tax or go to jail immediately.
Female travelers shouldn't have any safety problems in New Zealand, even though sexually motivated crimes are on the rise. Just use your common sense, never find yourself alone in deserted or poorly lit areas and avoid any remote places.
Some countries do need a visa to enter New Zealand, and apart from that, your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of return. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
New Zealand dollar is the official currency in New Zealand. ATMs are available in big cities, though smaller towns may have only one ATM per town, and credit cards are accepted all over the country.
New Zealand has a temperate climate - winters are pretty cold in the south of the South Island yet mild in the north of the North Island. So even though the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can have temperatures as low as -10 C in winter, most of the country is close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and a lot of sunshine.
Auckland International Airport is New Zealand's busiest airport. The airport is located near Māngere, a residential suburb, 21 km south of the Auckland city center.
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to New Zealand, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.