Cost of living in Palmerston North, New Zealand vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 21% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Palmerston North (New Zealand) is 21% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | NZ$16 ($11) | $19 | - 42% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | NZ$12 ($8) | $11 | - 22% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | NZ$7 ($5.42) | $5.19 | + 4% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | NZ$2.02 ($1.46) | $1.21 | + 21% | |
12 eggs, large | NZ$7 ($4.97) | $3.92 | + 27% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | NZ$7 ($4.88) | $4.21 | + 16% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | NZ$5.61 ($4.06) | $7 | - 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | NZ$3.86 ($2.79) | $4.37 | - 36% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | NZ$3.21 ($2.32) | $2.38 | - 2% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | NZ$3.72 ($2.69) | $2.95 | - 9% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | NZ$21 ($15) | $18 | - 15% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | NZ$3.08 ($2.23) | $2.37 | - 6% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | NZ$1.27 ($0.92) | $2.24 | - 59% | |
Housing | - 45% | |||
Housing in Palmerston North (New Zealand) is 45% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | NZ$1,900 ($1,375) | $3,253 | - 58% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | NZ$1,438 ($1,041) | $2,659 | - 61% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | NZ$290 ($210) | $149 | + 41% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | NZ$1,117 ($808) | $2,294 | - 65% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | NZ$892 ($645) | $1,555 | - 59% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | NZ$190 ($138) | $114 | + 21% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | NZ$79 ($57) | $38 | + 49% | |
40” flat screen tv | NZ$562 ($406) | $329 | + 24% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | NZ$231 ($167) | $128 | + 30% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | NZ$10 ($7) | $10 | - 30% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | NZ$23 ($17) | $37 | - 56% | |
Clothes | + 5% | |||
Clothes in Palmerston North (New Zealand) is 5% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | NZ$103 ($74) | $49 | + 53% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | NZ$62 ($45) | $50 | - 10% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | NZ$162 ($117) | $89 | + 31% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | NZ$144 ($104) | $112 | - 7% | |
Transportation | - 19% | |||
Transportation in Palmerston North (New Zealand) is 19% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | NZ$33,424 ($24,180) | $23,712 | + 2% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | NZ$2.18 ($1.58) | $0.92 | + 71% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | NZ$68 ($49) | $81 | - 39% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | $19 | - | |
Personal Care | - 42% | |||
Personal Care in Palmerston North (New Zealand) is 42% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | NZ$11 ($8) | $7 | + 12% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | NZ$5.00 ($3.62) | $21 | - 83% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | NZ$44 ($32) | $110 | - 71% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | NZ$8 ($5.51) | $7 | - 20% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | NZ$5.70 ($4.13) | $3.71 | + 11% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | NZ$5.00 ($3.62) | $5.68 | - 36% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | NZ$2.75 ($1.99) | $3.57 | - 44% | |
Tube of toothpaste | NZ$4.35 ($3.15) | $1.93 | + 63% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | NZ$23 ($17) | $21 | - 20% | |
Entertainment | - 24% | |||
Entertainment in Palmerston North (New Zealand) is 24% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | NZ$56 ($40) | $50 | - 19% | |
2 tickets to the movies | NZ$33 ($24) | $27 | - 13% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | NZ$120 ($87) | $202 | - 57% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | NZ$107 ($78) | $89 | - 13% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | NZ$13 ($9) | $13 | - 28% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | NZ$4.97 ($3.60) | $5.70 | - 37% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | NZ$8 ($5.84) | $8 | - 25% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $436 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | NZ$0.20 ($0.14) | $0.43 | - 66% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | NZ$59 ($43) | $62 | - 31% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | NZ$25 ($18) | $9 | + 100% | |
TOTAL | - 30% |

These prices were last updated on February 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.723
USD
/
NZD
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Cost of living in Palmerston North (New Zealand) is 30% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $11,000 in San Jose, California you would need to make just about $7,667 (NZ$10,598) in Palmerston North.
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