Cost of living in United States compared to New Zealand
Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is about the same as in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $16 (NZ$24) | NZ$23 | + 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 (NZ$13) | NZ$13 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.55 (NZ$7) | NZ$8 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.91 (NZ$1.34) | NZ$2.03 | - 34% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.92 (NZ$4.29) | NZ$7 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.30 (NZ$6) | NZ$8 | - 18% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (NZ$9) | NZ$8 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.75 (NZ$5.51) | NZ$4.29 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.93 (NZ$2.84) | NZ$3.58 | - 20% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.10 (NZ$4.55) | NZ$4.71 | - 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (NZ$22) | NZ$21 | + 4% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.04 (NZ$3.00) | NZ$3.49 | - 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.35 (NZ$3.46) | NZ$2.48 | + 39% | |
| Housing | + 7% | |||
| Housing in United States is 7% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,373 (NZ$3,489) | NZ$3,033 | + 15% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,814 (NZ$2,667) | NZ$2,408 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $191 (NZ$281) | NZ$240 | + 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,670 (NZ$2,456) | NZ$2,479 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,278 (NZ$1,879) | NZ$1,952 | - 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $128 (NZ$188) | NZ$181 | + 4% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $54 (NZ$80) | NZ$73 | + 9% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $284 (NZ$418) | NZ$820 | - 49% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $132 (NZ$193) | NZ$295 | - 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (NZ$16) | NZ$18 | - 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $24 (NZ$36) | NZ$27 | + 32% | |
| Clothes | - 30% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 30% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $49 (NZ$72) | NZ$135 | - 47% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (NZ$64) | NZ$84 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $89 (NZ$131) | NZ$166 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $112 (NZ$165) | NZ$244 | - 32% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 31% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,775 (NZ$34,956) | NZ$38,942 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.83 (NZ$1.23) | NZ$2.31 | - 47% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $76 (NZ$112) | NZ$172 | - 35% | |
| Personal Care | + 54% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 54% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (NZ$11) | NZ$14 | - 24% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $18 (NZ$26) | NZ$8 | + 239% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $109 (NZ$160) | NZ$56 | + 183% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (NZ$10) | NZ$8 | + 21% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.90 (NZ$5.73) | NZ$5.62 | + 2% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.25 (NZ$8) | NZ$7 | + 18% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.97 (NZ$5.83) | NZ$3.47 | + 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.90 (NZ$2.79) | NZ$4.26 | - 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $24 (NZ$35) | NZ$34 | + 3% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 29% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $49 (NZ$71) | NZ$64 | + 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $26 (NZ$38) | NZ$34 | + 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $167 (NZ$246) | NZ$227 | + 8% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $80 (NZ$117) | NZ$108 | + 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (NZ$18) | NZ$17 | + 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.91 (NZ$7) | NZ$5.16 | + 40% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.94 (NZ$9) | NZ$12 | - 25% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $442 (NZ$650) | NZ$775 | - 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.18 (NZ$0.26) | NZ$1.10 | - 76% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $50 (NZ$73) | NZ$89 | - 17% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $9 (NZ$13) | NZ$32 | - 60% | |
| TOTAL | - 11% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 17, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.470
NZD
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 19,689 prices entered by 3,039 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 11% cheaper than in New Zealand
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