Cost of Living in New Zealand - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: New Zealand
Address: NZ

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,017 (excluding rent), and $2,054 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,474 (excluding rent), and $4,124 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.9 NZ$26.02

$8.94 NZ$15.61

$26.83 NZ$46.85

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$77.6 NZ$135

$53.7 NZ$93.8

$119 NZ$208

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.87 NZ$17.24

$9.25 NZ$16.15

$11.42 NZ$19.93

Cappuccino

$3.55 NZ$6.19

$2.78 NZ$4.85

$4.33 NZ$7.55

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

$2.29 NZ$4

$1.8 NZ$3.14

$2.99 NZ$5.22

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17 NZ$3.79

$1.72 NZ$3

$3.06 NZ$5.34

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.62 NZ$11.56

$4.12 NZ$7.2

$8.83 NZ$15.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.47 NZ$11.3

$5.01 NZ$8.74

$8.82 NZ$15.4

Milk (1 liter)

$1.8 NZ$3.15

$1.2 NZ$2.09

$2.68 NZ$4.69

White Bread (500g)

$1.92 NZ$3.36

$1.12 NZ$1.96

$2.98 NZ$5.21

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.83 NZ$3.19

$1.14 NZ$1.98

$2.97 NZ$5.19

Eggs

$6.57 NZ$11.47

$3.99 NZ$6.96

$8.72 NZ$15.22

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.06 NZ$14.08

$5.82 NZ$10.17

$11.76 NZ$20.54

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.76 NZ$17.04

$5.48 NZ$9.57

$14.29 NZ$24.96

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.2 NZ$23.05

$9.06 NZ$15.82

$18.13 NZ$31.66

Apples (1kg)

$2.91 NZ$5.08

$1.24 NZ$2.17

$4.02 NZ$7.02

Banana (1kg)

$2.32 NZ$4.04

$1.84 NZ$3.21

$3.68 NZ$6.42

Oranges (1kg)

$3.01 NZ$5.26

$1.78 NZ$3.11

$4.75 NZ$8.29

Tomato (1kg)

$4.85 NZ$8.47

$1.84 NZ$3.21

$8 NZ$13.97

Potato (1kg)

$2.01 NZ$3.51

$1.18 NZ$2.06

$3.53 NZ$6.17

Onion (1kg)

$1.79 NZ$3.13

$0.92 NZ$1.6

$3.06 NZ$5.35

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.33 NZ$4.07

$1.49 NZ$2.61

$3.6 NZ$6.29

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.2 NZ$2.09

$0.62 NZ$1.07

$2.47 NZ$4.31

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$23.81 NZ$41.58

$21.44 NZ$37.43

$29.77 NZ$52

Wine (Bottle)

$9.2 NZ$16.07

$7.47 NZ$13.05

$13.22 NZ$23.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.96 NZ$5.17

$1.48 NZ$2.59

$5.91 NZ$10.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.52 NZ$6.15

$1.49 NZ$2.59

$7.12 NZ$12.43

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.45 NZ$4.29

$1.23 NZ$2.15

$3.69 NZ$6.44

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$109 NZ$190

$47.95 NZ$83.7

$141 NZ$246

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.44 NZ$4.26

$1.83 NZ$3.2

$4.88 NZ$8.52

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.93 NZ$3.37

$1.48 NZ$2.59

$2.84 NZ$4.96

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$36.63 NZ$64

$30.53 NZ$53.3

$61.1 NZ$107

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.71 NZ$2.99

$1.58 NZ$2.76

$1.83 NZ$3.19

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

$28.2K NZ$49.2K

$24.5K NZ$42.8K

$33.1K NZ$57.8K

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

$21.7K NZ$37.9K

$19.9K NZ$34.8K

$24.2K NZ$42.2K

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

$135 NZ$237

$84.1 NZ$147

$237 NZ$414

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

$35.14 NZ$61.4

$18.02 NZ$31.47

$48.06 NZ$83.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.7 NZ$92.1

$42.96 NZ$75

$68.1 NZ$119

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.38 NZ$65.3

$12.2 NZ$21.3

$68.3 NZ$119

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.95 NZ$26.1

$6.04 NZ$10.55

$24.17 NZ$42.2

Cinema Ticket

$12.17 NZ$21.26

$9.13 NZ$15.93

$15.21 NZ$26.56

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

$762 NZ$1,331

$442 NZ$771

$1,200 NZ$2,096

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.8K NZ$20.7K

$7,888 NZ$13.8K

$15.8K NZ$27.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.2 NZ$119

$42.3 NZ$73.9

$103 NZ$179

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.19 NZ$75.4

$24.28 NZ$42.39

$72.8 NZ$127

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.8 NZ$172

$60.8 NZ$106

$145 NZ$254

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$118 NZ$207

$65.5 NZ$114

$208 NZ$364

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,083 NZ$1,892

$653 NZ$1,140

$1,544 NZ$2,696

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$910 NZ$1,590

$477 NZ$833

$1,371 NZ$2,394

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,802 NZ$3,147

$1,217 NZ$2,125

$2,921 NZ$5,101

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,523 NZ$2,660

$964 NZ$1,683

$2,109 NZ$3,682

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,943 NZ$8,631

$2,836 NZ$4,952

$8,074 NZ$14.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,736 NZ$6,523

$2,439 NZ$4,259

$5,739 NZ$10K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,895 NZ$5,054

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.

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.