😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,302 in Auckland versus $1,719 in Vasteras.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,464 in Auckland versus $2,758 in Vasteras.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,626 in Auckland versus $3,797 in Vasteras.
😐Living in Auckland is roughly 34% more expensive than Vasteras, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Auckland72% above, Vasteras28% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Auckland
Vasteras
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.83NZ$25.25
$14.87SEK 140
-0.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$77.6NZ$132
$68.4SEK 643
13.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.55NZ$16.27
$10.38SEK 97.5
-8.00%
Cappuccino
$3.50NZ$5.97
$4.45SEK 41.79
-21.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28NZ$3.88
$2.83SEK 26.55
-19.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27NZ$3.87
$2.49SEK 23.41
-8.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.42NZ$12.63
$7.85SEK 73.7
-5.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.06NZ$12.03
$7.33SEK 68.9
-3.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Auckland
Vasteras
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.80NZ$3.06
$1.60SEK 14.99
12.50%
White Bread(500g)
$2.10NZ$3.58
$2.67SEK 25.04
-21.35%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99NZ$3.39
$3.79SEK 35.57
-47.49%
Eggs
$6.74NZ$11.48
$4.07SEK 38.21
65.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.44NZ$14.38
$11.74SEK 110
-28.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.82NZ$16.72
$12.59SEK 118
-22.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.92NZ$22.00
$15.73SEK 148
-17.86%
Apples(1kg)
$2.91NZ$4.96
$3.33SEK 31.27
-12.61%
Banana(1kg)
$2.22NZ$3.79
$2.59SEK 24.33
-14.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.22NZ$5.48
$3.59SEK 33.73
-10.31%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.11NZ$7.00
$3.79SEK 35.60
8.44%
Potato(1kg)
$2.09NZ$3.55
$1.55SEK 14.54
34.84%
Onion(1kg)
$1.63NZ$2.78
$2.00SEK 18.79
-18.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.90NZ$3.23
$2.71SEK 25.41
-29.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.29NZ$2.19
$1.73SEK 16.26
-25.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$25.66NZ$43.69
$7.26SEK 68.2
253.44%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.98NZ$17.00
$14.39SEK 135
-30.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.94NZ$5.01
$1.40SEK 13.18
110.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.98NZ$6.78
$1.89SEK 17.73
110.58%
🚌 Getting Around
Auckland
Vasteras
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.75NZ$4.68
$3.45SEK 32.43
-20.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$131NZ$223
$73.2SEK 688
78.90%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.09NZ$3.56
$3.71SEK 34.89
-43.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95NZ$3.32
$1.64SEK 15.45
18.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.65NZ$60.7
$85.6SEK 804
-58.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.69NZ$2.88
$1.96SEK 18.37
-13.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.4KNZ$48.3K
$32.9KSEK 309.0K
-13.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2KNZ$37.8K
$34.8KSEK 327.2K
-36.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Auckland
Vasteras
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146NZ$249
$91.0SEK 855
60.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.66NZ$52.2
$29.29SEK 275
4.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.24NZ$82.2
$36.93SEK 347
30.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Auckland
Vasteras
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.08NZ$61.5
$36.70SEK 345
-1.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.60NZ$28.28
$20.74SEK 195
-19.96%
Cinema Ticket
$15.28NZ$26.02
$19.27SEK 181
-20.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Auckland
Vasteras
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$922NZ$1,571
$156SEK 1,463
492.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.6KNZ$23.2K
$5,313SEK 49.9K
156.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Auckland
Vasteras
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.8NZ$121
$94.1SEK 884
-24.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.43NZ$84.2
$41.89SEK 393
18.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.7NZ$165
$93.6SEK 879
3.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$124NZ$211
$125SEK 1,170
-0.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Auckland
Vasteras
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,264NZ$2,153
$824SEK 7,743
53.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,158NZ$1,971
$591SEK 5,551
95.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,413NZ$4,109
$1,480SEK 13.9K
63.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,862NZ$3,170
$1,124SEK 10.6K
65.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,096NZ$13.8K
$3,944SEK 37.0K
105.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,456NZ$9,291
$2,666SEK 25.0K
104.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Auckland
Vasteras
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,260NZ$5,552
$3,207SEK 30.1K
1.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.37
4.87
30.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Auckland: May 31, 2026
Last update for Vasteras: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,264 in Auckland and $824 in Vasteras. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Auckland pays 2% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $78.0 in Auckland vs $68.0 in Vasteras. Groceries flip the comparison at $324 vs $365, with Auckland cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Auckland vs Vasteras: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Auckland or Vasteras?
Vasteras wins on cost – living expenses run 34% lower than in Auckland. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Vasteras the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Auckland or Vasteras?
Auckland pays 2% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Auckland vs Vasteras?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,264 in Auckland versus $824 in Vasteras. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Auckland and Vasteras?
Childcare runs $922 in Auckland versus $156 in Vasteras. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Are groceries more expensive in Auckland or Vasteras?
Shoppers in Auckland pay roughly 13% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Auckland or Vasteras?
At $1,719 in Vasteras versus $2,302 in Auckland, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Vasteras but tight or insufficient in Auckland. The gap between the two cities makes Vasteras the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Auckland or Vasteras?
Both work as nomad bases, but Vasteras delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,719 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Vasteras hard to pass up.
How safe is Auckland compared to Vasteras?
Safety-wise, Auckland and Vasteras are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Vasteras gentler on the wallet – expenses run 34% less than in Auckland. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.