Cost of living in United States compared to New Zealand
Currency:
| Food | - 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 7% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (NZ$21) | NZ$18 | + 16% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (NZ$11) | NZ$13 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.22 (NZ$5.84) | NZ$8 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (NZ$1.22) | NZ$2.07 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.93 (NZ$4.05) | NZ$7 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.08 (NZ$5.64) | NZ$6 | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (NZ$9) | NZ$8 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.28 (NZ$4.54) | NZ$4.26 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.67 (NZ$2.32) | NZ$3.19 | - 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.20 (NZ$4.43) | NZ$5.05 | - 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (NZ$19) | NZ$19 | + 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.97 (NZ$2.73) | NZ$3.50 | - 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.02 (NZ$2.80) | NZ$2.01 | + 39% | |
| Housing | - 3% | |||
| Housing in United States is about the same as in New Zealand | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,204 (NZ$3,049) | NZ$2,760 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,533 (NZ$2,121) | NZ$2,187 | - 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $178 (NZ$246) | NZ$290 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,524 (NZ$2,108) | NZ$2,200 | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,106 (NZ$1,530) | NZ$1,904 | - 20% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $109 (NZ$151) | NZ$174 | - 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $49 (NZ$68) | NZ$69 | - 1% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $271 (NZ$375) | NZ$704 | - 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $127 (NZ$176) | NZ$254 | - 31% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (NZ$15) | NZ$15 | - 2% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $21 (NZ$30) | NZ$27 | + 11% | |
| Clothes | - 22% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 22% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $47 (NZ$66) | NZ$113 | - 42% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (NZ$60) | NZ$60 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (NZ$119) | NZ$177 | - 33% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $108 (NZ$150) | NZ$238 | - 37% | |
| Transportation | - 35% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 35% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,483 (NZ$32,484) | NZ$37,821 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.64 (NZ$0.89) | NZ$2.03 | - 56% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $75 (NZ$104) | NZ$168 | - 38% | |
| Personal Care | + 38% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 38% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (NZ$10) | NZ$14 | - 28% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $15 (NZ$21) | NZ$5.96 | + 246% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $112 (NZ$155) | NZ$55 | + 181% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (NZ$9) | NZ$7 | + 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.36 (NZ$4.65) | NZ$6 | - 25% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.94 (NZ$7) | NZ$6 | + 13% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.61 (NZ$4.99) | NZ$3.35 | + 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.81 (NZ$2.51) | NZ$4.12 | - 39% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 (NZ$29) | NZ$31 | - 5% | |
| Entertainment | - 6% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 6% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (NZ$62) | NZ$58 | + 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (NZ$35) | NZ$36 | - 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $211 (NZ$291) | NZ$265 | + 10% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $78 (NZ$108) | NZ$109 | - 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (NZ$17) | NZ$19 | - 10% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.97 (NZ$7) | NZ$4.98 | + 38% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.74 (NZ$8) | NZ$10 | - 23% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $412 (NZ$570) | NZ$841 | - 32% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.49 (NZ$0.68) | NZ$0.41 | + 63% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $49 (NZ$68) | NZ$77 | - 12% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (NZ$11) | NZ$34 | - 66% | |
| TOTAL | - 12% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.383
NZD
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 34,237 prices entered by 4,515 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 12% cheaper than in New Zealand
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