Cost of Living in New Zealand - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: New Zealand
Address: NZ

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,014 (excluding rent), and $2,100 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,518 (excluding rent), and $4,109 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.92 NZ$25.37

$8.95 NZ$15.22

$26.86 NZ$45.67

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.5 NZ$134

$54.4 NZ$92.4

$121 NZ$205

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.47 NZ$16.11

$8.88 NZ$15.09

$10.96 NZ$18.63

Cappuccino

$3.42 NZ$5.81

$2.68 NZ$4.55

$4.17 NZ$7.09

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

$2.37 NZ$4.02

$1.85 NZ$3.15

$3.08 NZ$5.24

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.10 NZ$3.58

$1.66 NZ$2.82

$2.96 NZ$5.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.66 NZ$11.33

$4.15 NZ$7.05

$8.88 NZ$15.10

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.77 NZ$11.51

$5.24 NZ$8.91

$9.23 NZ$15.70

Milk (1 liter)

$1.86 NZ$3.16

$1.23 NZ$2.10

$2.76 NZ$4.70

White Bread (500g)

$1.89 NZ$3.21

$1.10 NZ$1.87

$2.93 NZ$4.98

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.87 NZ$3.18

$1.16 NZ$1.98

$3.05 NZ$5.18

Eggs

$6.64 NZ$11.29

$4.03 NZ$6.85

$8.81 NZ$14.99

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.18 NZ$13.90

$5.90 NZ$10.03

$11.92 NZ$20.27

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.60 NZ$16.31

$5.39 NZ$9.16

$14.05 NZ$23.89

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.42 NZ$22.82

$9.21 NZ$15.67

$18.44 NZ$31.35

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 NZ$4.71

$1.18 NZ$2.01

$3.82 NZ$6.50

Banana (1kg)

$2.26 NZ$3.84

$1.79 NZ$3.05

$3.58 NZ$6.09

Oranges (1kg)

$3.03 NZ$5.14

$1.79 NZ$3.04

$4.77 NZ$8.10

Tomato (1kg)

$4.72 NZ$8.02

$1.79 NZ$3.04

$7.79 NZ$13.24

Potato (1kg)

$2.08 NZ$3.53

$1.22 NZ$2.07

$3.65 NZ$6.20

Onion (1kg)

$1.73 NZ$2.94

$0.88 NZ$1.50

$2.96 NZ$5.03

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.40 NZ$4.09

$1.54 NZ$2.62

$3.72 NZ$6.32

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 NZ$1.96

$0.59 NZ$1.00

$2.37 NZ$4.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$24.11 NZ$40.98

$21.70 NZ$36.89

$30.13 NZ$51.2

Wine (Bottle)

$9.24 NZ$15.70

$6.94 NZ$11.79

$12.71 NZ$21.61

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.97 NZ$5.06

$1.49 NZ$2.53

$5.94 NZ$10.10

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.52 NZ$5.98

$1.48 NZ$2.52

$7.12 NZ$12.10

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.40 NZ$4.07

$1.20 NZ$2.04

$3.60 NZ$6.12

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$106 NZ$181

$46.85 NZ$79.7

$138 NZ$234

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.37 NZ$4.03

$1.78 NZ$3.03

$4.74 NZ$8.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.86 NZ$3.17

$1.43 NZ$2.44

$2.75 NZ$4.67

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.84 NZ$60.9

$29.87 NZ$50.8

$59.7 NZ$102

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.73 NZ$2.94

$1.60 NZ$2.71

$1.84 NZ$3.13

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

$27.4K NZ$46.5K

$23.8K NZ$40.5K

$32.1K NZ$54.6K

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

$21.4K NZ$36.3K

$19.6K NZ$33.3K

$23.8K NZ$40.4K

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

$139 NZ$236

$86.2 NZ$147

$243 NZ$414

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

$34.80 NZ$59.2

$17.85 NZ$30.34

$47.60 NZ$80.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.0 NZ$88.4

$42.34 NZ$72.0

$67.1 NZ$114

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.25 NZ$61.6

$11.83 NZ$20.12

$66.3 NZ$113

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.65 NZ$24.91

$5.92 NZ$10.07

$23.69 NZ$40.27

Cinema Ticket

$12.26 NZ$20.84

$9.19 NZ$15.62

$15.32 NZ$26.05

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

$755 NZ$1,283

$437 NZ$743

$1,188 NZ$2,020

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.9K NZ$20.2K

$7,933 NZ$13.5K

$15.9K NZ$27.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.7 NZ$115

$41.97 NZ$71.3

$102 NZ$173

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.63 NZ$74.2

$24.53 NZ$41.69

$73.6 NZ$125

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.3 NZ$167

$60.5 NZ$103

$145 NZ$246

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$119 NZ$203

$66.0 NZ$112

$210 NZ$357

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,114 NZ$1,894

$672 NZ$1,142

$1,588 NZ$2,699

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$939 NZ$1,595

$492 NZ$836

$1,413 NZ$2,402

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,760 NZ$2,992

$1,189 NZ$2,021

$2,853 NZ$4,850

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,545 NZ$2,627

$978 NZ$1,662

$2,139 NZ$3,636

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,548 NZ$9,432

$3,462 NZ$5,885

$8,251 NZ$14.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,718 NZ$6,320

$2,455 NZ$4,174

$5,777 NZ$9,822

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,968 NZ$5,045

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: April 13, 2026

By City in New Zealand

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Ashburton	20500	94	$1,023	$1,852	$2,546	$3,982	264.29	111.92
2	Auckland	1463000	116	$1,041	$2,355	$2,544	$4,594	208.04	245.69
3	Blenheim	28800	78	$848	$1,533	$2,499	$3,479	28.75	112.92
4	Cambridge	21400	112	$905	$2,238	$1,913	$3,758	227.35	177.91
5	Canterbury	-	88	$789	$1,737	$2,122	$3,672	211.69	196.56
6	Christchurch	380600	113	$952	$2,275	$2,396	$4,035	95.67	274.7
7	Cromwell	5000	91	$980	$1,817	$2,027	$3,843	99.41	148.78
8	Dargaville	4600	94	$909	$1,889	$2,038	$4,003	141.63	155.98
9	Dunedin	105000	92	$968	$1,809	$2,323	$3,809	42.34	253.61
10	Feilding	17350	94	$937	$1,865	$2,368	$3,941	68.93	179.62
11	Fox Glacier	-	94	$897	$1,892	$2,660	$3,902	71.5	105.06
12	Gisborne	37300	98	$1,030	$1,935	$2,200	$3,793	109.38	104.85
13	Gore	3100	94	$928	$1,883	$2,511	$3,899	51	155.34
14	Greymouth	4000	95	$1,047	$1,907	$2,179	$3,950	92.04	175.46
15	Hamilton	169500	94	$909	$1,871	$2,325	$4,035	204.34	258.98
16	Hastings	50100	72	$905	$1,418	$2,393	$3,125	333.98	196.87
17	Invercargill	56200	78	$941	$1,552	$2,237	$3,368	31.59	236.96
18	Kerikeri	8000	92	$997	$1,843	$2,527	$3,866	125.18	134.33
19	Levin	18800	94	$853	$1,881	$2,730	$4,042	112.63	136.35
20	Lower Hutt	111800	114	$1,126	$2,262	$2,337	$4,393	39.28	272.66
21	Manukau	-	92	$973	$1,869	$2,611	$3,815	14.11	242.56
22	Masterton	26800	76	$866	$1,483	$1,945	$3,359	70.97	120.87
23	Napier	65000	97	$919	$1,926	$2,851	$4,458	295.04	213.61
24	Nelson	51100	102	$969	$2,037	$2,762	$4,162	82.91	181.21
25	New Plymouth	58400	91	$882	$1,843	$2,323	$3,698	118.51	208.68
26	North Shore	-	91	$762	$1,837	$2,228	$3,691	49.07	284.8
27	Oamaru	13850	88	$983	$1,741	$1,894	$3,737	223.03	96.8
28	Paeroa	4000	94	$858	$1,863	$2,070	$4,010	46.12	137.83
29	Paihia	1800	95	$869	$1,896	$2,108	$3,722	46.45	134.33
30	Palmerston North	90500	84	$861	$1,712	$1,992	$3,751	26.46	196.58
31	Papamoa Beach	25272	94	$1,015	$1,850	$2,539	$3,891	168.91	228.26
32	Porirua	61900	96	$900	$1,928	$2,680	$4,069	37	265.59
33	Pukekohe	26900	86	$800	$1,740	$1,743	$3,498	47.21	242.56
34	Queenstown	15450	139	$1,215	$2,754	$2,963	$5,872	56.23	150.86
35	Rolleston	28000	93	$1,073	$1,874	$2,261	$3,512	76.03	213.22
36	Rotorua	58400	73	$859	$1,437	$2,033	$2,972	86.1	175.89
37	Taupo	26000	95	$1,062	$1,888	$2,562	$4,068	122.72	170.32
38	Tauranga	155200	108	$1,059	$2,107	$2,570	$3,952	22.79	228.26
39	Te Awamutu	13350	83	$862	$1,656	$2,316	$3,529	22.82	177.91
40	Thames	7500	95	$837	$1,892	$2,100	$3,976	104.41	149.64
41	Timaru	28600	102	$1,029	$2,068	$3,044	$4,198	37.67	109.76
42	Upper Hutt	44600	95	$1,096	$1,906	$2,780	$3,991	171.19	253.38
43	Waiheke Island	-	94	$854	$1,854	$2,186	$3,877	50.95	249.26
44	Waihi	4700	94	$828	$1,849	$2,385	$3,984	56.07	137.83
45	Wairoa	4300	94	$820	$1,854	$2,084	$4,013	112.03	60.92
46	Waitakere	-	94	$816	$1,897	$2,468	$3,975	152.96	84.82
47	Wanaka	11600	93	$901	$1,863	$2,398	$4,032	261.65	150.86
48	Wellington	215900	116	$1,067	$2,295	$2,641	$4,812	92.7	276.51
49	Whakatane	16700	91	$898	$1,782	$2,105	$3,902	58.76	116.88
50	Whanganui	42300	87	$940	$1,756	$2,023	$3,761	315.73	207.47

New Zealand Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.