Cost of Living in Manukau - Updated Prices & Insights

40.68

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $897 (excluding rent), and $1,859 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,322 (excluding rent), and $3,948 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.03 NZ$24.8

$10.82 NZ$17.85

$27.06 NZ$44.64

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.2 NZ$131

$48.74 NZ$80.4

$122 NZ$201

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.81 NZ$14.53

$8.23 NZ$13.57

$10.58 NZ$17.45

Cappuccino

$3.42 NZ$5.64

$2.92 NZ$4.81

$4.17 NZ$6.88

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

$1.53 NZ$2.52

$3.36 NZ$5.53

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.2 NZ$1.97

$3.58 NZ$5.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.27 NZ$8.7

$9.29 NZ$15.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.36 NZ$8.85

$8.34 NZ$13.75

Milk (1 liter)

$1.77 NZ$2.91

$1.2 NZ$1.98

$2.39 NZ$3.94

White Bread (500g)

$2.13 NZ$3.5

$1.24 NZ$2.04

$3.08 NZ$5.07

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.94 NZ$3.2

$1.19 NZ$1.96

$2.95 NZ$4.87

Eggs

$4.76 NZ$7.85

$4.17 NZ$6.87

$8.57 NZ$14.14

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.75 NZ$9.48

$5.45 NZ$9

$12.11 NZ$19.98

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9 NZ$14.84

$6 NZ$9.9

$12.01 NZ$19.8

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.23 NZ$21.82

$7.98 NZ$13.16

$17.18 NZ$28.33

Apples (1kg)

$2.89 NZ$4.77

$1.83 NZ$3.02

$4.27 NZ$7.04

Banana (1kg)

$2.26 NZ$3.73

$1.83 NZ$3.02

$3.04 NZ$5.02

Oranges (1kg)

$3.33 NZ$5.49

$2.44 NZ$4.02

$4.88 NZ$8.04

Tomato (1kg)

$4.17 NZ$6.88

$2.15 NZ$3.54

$6.14 NZ$10.12

Potato (1kg)

$1.1 NZ$1.81

$3.71 NZ$6.12

Onion (1kg)

$1.71 NZ$2.82

$0.98 NZ$1.62

$2.47 NZ$4.07

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.88 NZ$3.11

$1.18 NZ$1.95

$2.94 NZ$4.84

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.27 NZ$2.1

$0.61 NZ$1

$2.44 NZ$4.02

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$25.25 NZ$41.64

$21.64 NZ$35.69

$30.05 NZ$49.57

Wine (Bottle)

$5.54 NZ$9.14

$15.37 NZ$25.35

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.94 NZ$4.85

$1.52 NZ$2.5

$5.9 NZ$9.74

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.99 NZ$6.57

$1.86 NZ$3.07

$7.44 NZ$12.27

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.42 NZ$3.99

$1.8 NZ$2.96

$3.04 NZ$5.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.5 NZ$106

$8.19 NZ$13.51

$64.5 NZ$106

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.09 NZ$3.45

$1.79 NZ$2.96

$2.98 NZ$4.92

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.99 NZ$3.28

$1.53 NZ$2.53

$3.86 NZ$6.37

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.67 NZ$58.8

$30.49 NZ$50.3

$36.59 NZ$60.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.62 NZ$2.68

$1.48 NZ$2.44

$1.81 NZ$2.99

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

$27.9K NZ$46K

$23.7K NZ$39.1K

$32K NZ$52.8K

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

$22.1K NZ$36.4K

$21K NZ$34.7K

$22.8K NZ$37.6K

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

$141 NZ$232

$95.3 NZ$157

$207 NZ$341

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

$30.87 NZ$50.9

$12.21 NZ$20.14

$48.85 NZ$80.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.02 NZ$79.2

$38.57 NZ$63.6

$64.7 NZ$107

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.52 NZ$70.1

$36.45 NZ$60.1

$48.6 NZ$80.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.17 NZ$20.07

$4.86 NZ$8.02

$15.82 NZ$26.09

Cinema Ticket

$14.34 NZ$23.65

$10.37 NZ$17.11

$18.31 NZ$30.19

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

$899 NZ$1,483

$790 NZ$1,303

$1,246 NZ$2,056

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.7K NZ$22.7K

$12.2K NZ$20.1K

$17K NZ$28.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.08 NZ$80.9

$42.94 NZ$70.8

$98.2 NZ$162

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.66 NZ$80.3

$30.42 NZ$50.2

$73 NZ$120

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.6 NZ$163

$60.4 NZ$99.6

$121 NZ$199

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$126 NZ$208

$78.9 NZ$130

$212 NZ$350

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,108 NZ$1,827

$825 NZ$1,360

$1,512 NZ$2,494

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$861 NZ$1,420

$463 NZ$763

$1,252 NZ$2,064

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,739 NZ$2,868

$1,333 NZ$2,198

$2,183 NZ$3,600

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,432 NZ$2,363

$1,244 NZ$2,051

$1,757 NZ$2,897

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,179 NZ$6,893

$2,132 NZ$3,517

$4,179 NZ$6,893

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,531 NZ$5,824

$2,431 NZ$4,009

$3,646 NZ$6,014

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,166 NZ$5,222

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.37

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

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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.