Cost of living in Cook Islands compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cook Islands is 29% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cook Islands | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | NZ$15 ($9) | $21 | - 58% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | NZ$10 ($5.99) | $12 | - 50% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | NZ$5.00 ($3.00) | $5.83 | - 49% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | NZ$2.40 ($1.44) | $1.11 | + 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | NZ$6 ($3.78) | $5.45 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | NZ$5.00 ($3.00) | $4.90 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | NZ$16 ($10) | $7 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | NZ$5.00 ($3.00) | $4.33 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | NZ$2.90 ($1.74) | $2.35 | - 26% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | NZ$5.00 ($3.00) | $3.49 | - 14% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | NZ$25 ($15) | $18 | - 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | NZ$8 ($4.79) | $2.94 | + 63% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | NZ$5.00 ($3.00) | $3.15 | - 5% | |
| Housing | - 58% | |||
| Housing in Cook Islands is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cook Islands | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | NZ$1,206 ($723) | $3,212 | - 77% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | NZ$5,000 ($2,997) | $2,475 | + 21% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | NZ$60 ($36) | $233 | - 85% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | NZ$800 ($479) | $2,249 | - 79% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | NZ$516 ($309) | $1,671 | - 81% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | NZ$30 ($18) | $172 | - 90% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | NZ$100 ($60) | $62 | - 4% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | NZ$899 ($539) | $248 | + 117% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | NZ$199 ($119) | $152 | - 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | NZ$7 ($4.20) | $15 | - 71% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | NZ$10 ($5.99) | $35 | - 83% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in Cook Islands is 14% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cook Islands | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | NZ$100 ($60) | $59 | + 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | NZ$80 ($48) | $51 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | NZ$130 ($78) | $105 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | NZ$100 ($60) | $142 | - 58% | |
| Transportation | + 29% | |||
| Transportation in Cook Islands is 29% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Cook Islands | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $31,050 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | NZ$2.00 ($1.20) | $0.94 | + 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | NZ$200 ($120) | $86 | + 39% | |
| Personal Care | - 49% | |||
| Personal Care in Cook Islands is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cook Islands | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | NZ$11 ($7) | $9 | - 28% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | NZ$15 ($9) | $24 | - 63% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | NZ$38 ($22) | $168 | - 87% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | NZ$8 ($4.79) | $9 | - 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | NZ$10 ($5.99) | $5.35 | + 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | NZ$12 ($7) | $7 | + 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | NZ$6.00 ($3.60) | $5.18 | - 31% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | NZ$5.00 ($3.00) | $2.39 | + 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | NZ$10 ($5.99) | $31 | - 80% | |
| Entertainment | - 12% | |||
| Entertainment in Cook Islands is 12% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cook Islands | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | NZ$60 ($36) | $61 | - 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | NZ$22 ($13) | $31 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $228 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | NZ$140 ($84) | $104 | - 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | NZ$15 ($9) | $15 | - 39% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | NZ$5.00 ($3.00) | $5.90 | - 49% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | NZ$5.00 ($3.00) | $8 | - 60% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | NZ$2,900 ($1,738) | $502 | + 247% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.54 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | NZ$40 ($24) | $72 | - 67% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | $11 | - | |
| TOTAL | - 24% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,270 prices entered by 1,913 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.599
USD
/
NZD
Cost of living in Cook Islands is 24% cheaper than in United States
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