Cost of Living in Manukau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $894 (excluding rent), and $1,875 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,562 (excluding rent), and $3,832 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.01 NZ$26.21

$10.81 NZ$18.87

$27.02 NZ$47.19

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$77.2 NZ$135

$47.51 NZ$83

$119 NZ$207

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.08 NZ$15.86

$8.48 NZ$14.81

$10.9 NZ$19.04

Cappuccino

$3.42 NZ$5.98

$2.92 NZ$5.1

$4.18 NZ$7.29

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.49 NZ$2.6

$3.27 NZ$5.72

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.19 NZ$2.08

$3.56 NZ$6.22

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5 NZ$8.73

$8.81 NZ$15.39

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.34 NZ$9.32

$8.3 NZ$14.49

Milk (1 liter)

$1.81 NZ$3.16

$1.23 NZ$2.15

$2.45 NZ$4.28

White Bread (500g)

$2.12 NZ$3.71

$1.23 NZ$2.16

$3.07 NZ$5.36

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2 NZ$3.49

$1.22 NZ$2.13

$3.03 NZ$5.3

Eggs

$4.76 NZ$8.31

$4.17 NZ$7.28

$8.57 NZ$14.97

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.66 NZ$9.88

$5.37 NZ$9.38

$11.93 NZ$20.84

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.22 NZ$16.1

$6.15 NZ$10.74

$12.3 NZ$21.48

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.84 NZ$22.41

$7.74 NZ$13.52

$16.67 NZ$29.1

Apples (1kg)

$2.94 NZ$5.13

$1.86 NZ$3.24

$4.33 NZ$7.56

Banana (1kg)

$2.26 NZ$3.95

$1.83 NZ$3.2

$3.04 NZ$5.31

Oranges (1kg)

$3.39 NZ$5.92

$2.48 NZ$4.33

$4.96 NZ$8.67

Tomato (1kg)

$4.01 NZ$7

$2.06 NZ$3.6

$5.9 NZ$10.3

Potato (1kg)

$1.09 NZ$1.9

$3.69 NZ$6.44

Onion (1kg)

$1.7 NZ$2.96

$0.97 NZ$1.7

$2.45 NZ$4.27

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.89 NZ$3.29

$1.18 NZ$2.06

$2.94 NZ$5.13

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.22 NZ$2.14

$0.58 NZ$1.02

$2.34 NZ$4.09

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$25.67 NZ$44.82

$22 NZ$38.41

$30.55 NZ$53.4

Wine (Bottle)

$10.97 NZ$19.15

$5.19 NZ$9.06

$14.42 NZ$25.19

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.94 NZ$5.13

$1.52 NZ$2.65

$5.91 NZ$10.31

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.98 NZ$6.95

$1.86 NZ$3.24

$7.43 NZ$12.97

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.41 NZ$4.21

$1.79 NZ$3.12

$3.02 NZ$5.28

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.1 NZ$110

$8.02 NZ$14

$63.1 NZ$110

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.06 NZ$3.59

$1.76 NZ$3.08

$2.93 NZ$5.12

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.94 NZ$3.39

$1.5 NZ$2.61

$3.78 NZ$6.6

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.35 NZ$61.7

$30.22 NZ$52.8

$36.26 NZ$63.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.68 NZ$2.93

$1.53 NZ$2.66

$1.87 NZ$3.26

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.7K NZ$50.2K

$24.4K NZ$42.7K

$33K NZ$57.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.5K NZ$39.3K

$21.4K NZ$37.4K

$23.3K NZ$40.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$142 NZ$249

$96.3 NZ$168

$209 NZ$365

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$30.34 NZ$53

$12 NZ$20.95

$48 NZ$83.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.96 NZ$83.8

$38.52 NZ$67.3

$64.6 NZ$113

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.38 NZ$74

$36.32 NZ$63.4

$48.43 NZ$84.6

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.2 NZ$21.3

$4.88 NZ$8.51

$15.86 NZ$27.7

Cinema Ticket

$14.42 NZ$25.18

$10.43 NZ$18.22

$18.41 NZ$32.15

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$918 NZ$1,602

$807 NZ$1,409

$1,272 NZ$2,222

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.9K NZ$24.2K

$12.3K NZ$21.5K

$17.2K NZ$30K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.57 NZ$83.1

$41.62 NZ$72.7

$95.1 NZ$166

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.55 NZ$83

$29.72 NZ$51.9

$71.3 NZ$125

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.9 NZ$174

$61.2 NZ$107

$122 NZ$214

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$125 NZ$219

$78.4 NZ$137

$211 NZ$369

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$973 NZ$1,699

$724 NZ$1,265

$1,328 NZ$2,319

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$792 NZ$1,384

$426 NZ$744

$1,152 NZ$2,012

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 NZ$2,750

$1,207 NZ$2,107

$1,976 NZ$3,451

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,431 NZ$2,498

$1,242 NZ$2,169

$1,755 NZ$3,064

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,043 NZ$5,314

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.37

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

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Cost of Living in Manukau - Frequently Asked Questions

Manukau sits as a practical base for exploring Auckland while offering a more relaxed pace than the CBD. You’ll find a mix of rental apartments, townhouses, and shared housing that can fit different budgets, with easy access to parks, schools, and shopping. Compared with central Auckland, some services and transit feel more affordable, while proximity to major hubs can raise costs in specific neighborhoods. Seasonal weekend options and local markets add value if you plan meals at home and use the bus or walks. Cost of Living in Manukau varies by vibe, from quieter pockets to busier hubs. Tip: Start with a flexible plan that tests housing, transit, and groceries to see what fits you.

Daily life in Manukau blends suburb convenience with easy access to Auckland's city heart. For housing, focus on family-friendly pockets near Manukau City Centre or Papatoetoe for value and transit links. Food options run from affordable local markets and multicultural supermarkets to popular dining spots around Westfield, with plenty of quick-serve and healthier choices. Transport thrives on buses and easy motor routes toward the CBD; you can supplement with ride-sharing and cycling for short trips. Manukau, New Zealand living cost awareness helps you budget groceries, utilities, and commute as you compare neighborhoods. Tip: Try short-term stays in a few areas before settling long-term.

Quality of life in Manukau comes from choosing a neighborhood that fits your pace, access to green spaces, and work rhythm. Build a budgeting framework that separates fixed costs (rent, utilities) from flexible ones (eat-out, entertainment, co-working). Look for seasonal sales in supermarkets and take advantage of farmers' markets for value and variety. If you prefer a quieter vibe, explore Papatoetoe or beach-adjacent fringes; for a lively, transit-connected setup, Manukau City Centre and nearby hubs may suit you. Tip: Reserve a couple of weeks to sample different areas, then lock in a longer-term option with a flexible lease if possible.