Cost of living in United States compared to New Zealand
Currency:
| Food | + 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 18% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 (NZ$29) | NZ$21 | + 35% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (NZ$15) | NZ$14 | + 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.72 (NZ$9) | NZ$8 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.09 (NZ$1.68) | NZ$2.36 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.45 (NZ$7) | NZ$8 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.54 (NZ$7) | NZ$7 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (NZ$11) | NZ$8 | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.26 (NZ$7) | NZ$4.37 | + 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.15 (NZ$3.31) | NZ$3.27 | + 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.29 (NZ$5.08) | NZ$5.09 | - 0% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (NZ$25) | NZ$19 | + 32% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.54 (NZ$3.92) | NZ$3.58 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.84 (NZ$4.38) | NZ$2.58 | + 70% | |
| Housing | + 27% | |||
| Housing in United States is 27% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,798 (NZ$4,314) | NZ$3,339 | + 29% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,093 (NZ$3,227) | NZ$2,571 | + 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $216 (NZ$333) | NZ$269 | + 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,945 (NZ$2,999) | NZ$2,312 | + 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,464 (NZ$2,256) | NZ$1,785 | + 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $145 (NZ$224) | NZ$188 | + 19% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $59 (NZ$91) | NZ$78 | + 18% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $301 (NZ$464) | NZ$714 | - 35% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $131 (NZ$201) | NZ$256 | - 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (NZ$20) | NZ$13 | + 60% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $32 (NZ$49) | NZ$30 | + 64% | |
| Clothes | - 20% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 20% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $53 (NZ$81) | NZ$119 | - 32% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $46 (NZ$71) | NZ$90 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $93 (NZ$143) | NZ$160 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $119 (NZ$183) | NZ$207 | - 12% | |
| Transportation | - 18% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 18% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,577 (NZ$42,512) | NZ$40,315 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.14 (NZ$1.75) | NZ$2.90 | - 40% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $78 (NZ$120) | NZ$153 | - 21% | |
| Personal Care | + 80% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 80% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (NZ$12) | NZ$13 | - 7% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $23 (NZ$35) | NZ$8 | + 348% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $139 (NZ$215) | NZ$72 | + 198% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (NZ$13) | NZ$8 | + 55% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.66 (NZ$7) | NZ$6 | + 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.70 (NZ$9) | NZ$7 | + 28% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.38 (NZ$7) | NZ$3.86 | + 75% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.14 (NZ$3.31) | NZ$4.42 | - 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 (NZ$42) | NZ$38 | + 11% | |
| Entertainment | - 1% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is about the same as in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $52 (NZ$80) | NZ$76 | + 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (NZ$43) | NZ$39 | + 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $196 (NZ$301) | NZ$242 | + 24% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $90 (NZ$139) | NZ$125 | + 11% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (NZ$21) | NZ$18 | + 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.50 (NZ$8) | NZ$5.45 | + 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (NZ$10) | NZ$10 | - 4% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $515 (NZ$793) | NZ$775 | + 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.21 (NZ$0.32) | NZ$0.37 | - 13% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $56 (NZ$86) | NZ$67 | + 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (NZ$15) | NZ$36 | - 58% | |
| TOTAL | + 9% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.542
NZD
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 21,270 prices entered by 2,845 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 9% more expensive than in New Zealand
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