Cost of Living in New Zealand - Updated Prices & Insights

72.52

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,003 (excluding rent), and $2,071 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,526 (excluding rent), and $4,248 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.34 NZ$25.3

$9.2 NZ$15.18

$27.62 NZ$45.55

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.2 NZ$131

$54.9 NZ$90.5

$122 NZ$201

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.86 NZ$16.26

$9.24 NZ$15.23

$11.4 NZ$18.81

Cappuccino

$3.43 NZ$5.66

$2.69 NZ$4.43

$4.18 NZ$6.9

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

$2.37 NZ$3.91

$1.86 NZ$3.06

$3.09 NZ$5.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.19 NZ$3.61

$1.73 NZ$2.85

$3.08 NZ$5.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.91 NZ$11.4

$4.3 NZ$7.09

$9.21 NZ$15.19

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.58 NZ$10.85

$5.09 NZ$8.4

$8.97 NZ$14.8

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 NZ$3.05

$1.23 NZ$2.03

$2.75 NZ$4.54

White Bread (500g)

$1.9 NZ$3.14

$1.11 NZ$1.83

$2.95 NZ$4.86

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.83 NZ$3.01

$1.13 NZ$1.87

$2.97 NZ$4.9

Eggs

$6.46 NZ$10.66

$3.92 NZ$6.47

$8.58 NZ$14.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.35 NZ$13.77

$6.03 NZ$9.94

$12.17 NZ$20.08

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.54 NZ$15.74

$5.36 NZ$8.84

$13.97 NZ$23.05

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.91 NZ$21.29

$8.86 NZ$14.62

$17.73 NZ$29.25

Apples (1kg)

$2.78 NZ$4.58

$1.18 NZ$1.95

$3.83 NZ$6.32

Banana (1kg)

$2.25 NZ$3.71

$1.79 NZ$2.95

$3.58 NZ$5.9

Oranges (1kg)

$3.01 NZ$4.97

$1.78 NZ$2.94

$4.74 NZ$7.82

Tomato (1kg)

$4.71 NZ$7.78

$1.79 NZ$2.95

$7.78 NZ$12.83

Potato (1kg)

$2 NZ$3.3

$1.17 NZ$1.94

$3.51 NZ$5.8

Onion (1kg)

$1.8 NZ$2.97

$0.92 NZ$1.52

$3.07 NZ$5.07

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.32 NZ$3.83

$1.49 NZ$2.46

$3.6 NZ$5.93

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 NZ$1.88

$0.58 NZ$0.96

$2.35 NZ$3.87

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$24.28 NZ$40.05

$21.86 NZ$36.05

$30.36 NZ$50.1

Wine (Bottle)

$9.84 NZ$16.23

$7.38 NZ$12.17

$14.75 NZ$24.33

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.05 NZ$5.03

$1.52 NZ$2.51

$6.09 NZ$10.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.55 NZ$5.86

$1.5 NZ$2.47

$7.19 NZ$11.86

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.36 NZ$3.89

$1.18 NZ$1.95

$3.54 NZ$5.84

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$106 NZ$176

$46.93 NZ$77.4

$138 NZ$228

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.35 NZ$3.87

$1.76 NZ$2.91

$4.69 NZ$7.74

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.87 NZ$3.09

$1.44 NZ$2.38

$2.76 NZ$4.56

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$36.16 NZ$59.6

$30.13 NZ$49.7

$60.3 NZ$99.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.67 NZ$2.75

$1.54 NZ$2.54

$1.78 NZ$2.93

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

$27.2K NZ$44.9K

$23.7K NZ$39K

$31.9K NZ$52.7K

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

$21.5K NZ$35.5K

$19.7K NZ$32.5K

$23.9K NZ$39.5K

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

$140 NZ$231

$86.7 NZ$143

$245 NZ$404

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

$35.72 NZ$58.9

$18.32 NZ$30.21

$48.85 NZ$80.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.3 NZ$86.2

$42.59 NZ$70.2

$67.5 NZ$111

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.25 NZ$59.8

$11.83 NZ$19.52

$66.3 NZ$109

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15 NZ$24.73

$6.06 NZ$10

$24.24 NZ$39.99

Cinema Ticket

$11.86 NZ$19.55

$8.89 NZ$14.66

$14.82 NZ$24.44

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

$754 NZ$1,243

$437 NZ$720

$1,186 NZ$1,957

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.7K NZ$19.3K

$7,815 NZ$12.9K

$15.6K NZ$25.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.8 NZ$114

$42.7 NZ$70.4

$104 NZ$171

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.46 NZ$71.7

$24.43 NZ$40.29

$73.3 NZ$121

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 NZ$161

$60.2 NZ$99.2

$144 NZ$237

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$118 NZ$195

$65.3 NZ$108

$208 NZ$343

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,094 NZ$1,804

$659 NZ$1,088

$1,559 NZ$2,571

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$937 NZ$1,546

$491 NZ$810

$1,411 NZ$2,328

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,789 NZ$2,951

$1,209 NZ$1,993

$2,901 NZ$4,784

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,513 NZ$2,496

$958 NZ$1,579

$2,095 NZ$3,455

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,908 NZ$8,095

$2,867 NZ$4,729

$8,960 NZ$14.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,316 NZ$7,118

$2,452 NZ$4,044

$6,812 NZ$11.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,027 NZ$4,992

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.74

5.59

7.3

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

Cost of Living in New Zealand - Frequently Asked Questions

New Zealand offers a mixed affordability picture. In general, essentials and services feel well priced for quality, but housing in cities like Auckland and Wellington can push the overall cost higher. If you’re flexible about location, you’ll often find more value in regional centers and in longer stays that reduce daily costs. Transport is efficient, dining out ranges widely by neighborhood, and you’ll find abundant markets and outdoor recreation that lower leisure expenses. Cost of Living in New Zealand serves as a useful reference, yet your personal budget depends on where you live and how you move. Tip: start with a longer trial stay in several neighborhoods to gauge true costs.

For daily life, expect a practical mix: housing searches focus on lease terms and proximity to work hubs or outdoor escapes. In cities, you’ll find flats, townhouses, and houses with good light and space, but demand can be brisk. Food options span farmers markets, dairies, and bigger supermarkets; cooking at home saves money and supports a healthy routine. Transport varies by city: reliable buses and trains exist, while many people cycle or use car sharing for weekend trips. Co-working spaces are common near universities and tech zones, making it easy to meet people. New Zealand living cost is influenced by city choice and transport needs. Tip: map errands to a neighborhood with a grocery store, pharmacy, and post office nearby.

Quality of life improves when you budget around essentials and flexible discretionary spending, and when you tailor your schedule to local seasons and pace. Use a simple framework that prioritizes housing, groceries, transport, and experiences, then adjust as you settle in. In practice, neighborhood fit matters: urban cores give quick access to coworking, services, and social scenes, while regional towns offer space, nature, and slower rhythms. Seasonality can affect energy use and outdoor activities, so factor those shifts into your planning. Tap into local groups, markets, and regional events to stretch value without sacrificing experience. Tip: pick a base with easy access to both work and nature, and rotate neighborhoods to stay inspired.