Cost of living in New Zealand compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in New Zealand is 10% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | NZ$18 ($13) | $15 | - 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | NZ$13 ($9) | $8 | + 10% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | NZ$8 ($5.56) | $4.26 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | NZ$2.11 ($1.53) | $0.87 | + 75% | |
| 12 eggs, large | NZ$7 ($5.21) | $2.88 | + 81% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | NZ$7 ($5.40) | $4.18 | + 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | NZ$8 ($5.83) | $6 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | NZ$4.05 ($2.93) | $3.44 | - 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | NZ$3.07 ($2.23) | $1.76 | + 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | NZ$6 ($4.39) | $3.11 | + 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | NZ$20 ($14) | $14 | + 2% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | NZ$3.67 ($2.66) | $1.99 | + 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | NZ$2.30 ($1.67) | $2.19 | - 24% | |
| Housing | + 4% | |||
| Housing in New Zealand is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | NZ$2,625 ($1,903) | $2,193 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | NZ$2,239 ($1,623) | $1,576 | + 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | NZ$292 ($212) | $179 | + 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | NZ$2,352 ($1,705) | $1,541 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | NZ$1,905 ($1,381) | $1,141 | + 21% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | NZ$173 ($125) | $113 | + 11% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | NZ$79 ($57) | $52 | + 10% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | NZ$750 ($544) | $270 | + 101% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | NZ$268 ($194) | $127 | + 53% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | NZ$16 ($12) | $11 | + 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | NZ$28 ($20) | $22 | - 9% | |
| Clothes | + 35% | |||
| Clothes in New Zealand is 35% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | NZ$130 ($94) | $47 | + 100% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | NZ$63 ($45) | $43 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | NZ$175 ($127) | $86 | + 47% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | NZ$244 ($177) | $107 | + 65% | |
| Transportation | + 46% | |||
| Transportation in New Zealand is 46% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | NZ$38,578 ($27,967) | $23,539 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | NZ$1.99 ($1.44) | $0.66 | + 117% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | NZ$152 ($110) | $73 | + 51% | |
| Personal Care | - 28% | |||
| Personal Care in New Zealand is 28% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | NZ$14 ($10) | $7 | + 43% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | NZ$5.96 ($4.32) | $16 | - 73% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | NZ$59 ($43) | $111 | - 61% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | NZ$7 ($4.93) | $7 | - 25% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | NZ$5.87 ($4.25) | $3.46 | + 23% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | NZ$6 ($4.48) | $4.84 | - 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | NZ$3.58 ($2.59) | $3.66 | - 29% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | NZ$4.42 ($3.21) | $1.81 | + 77% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | NZ$31 ($22) | $22 | + 1% | |
| Entertainment | + 27% | |||
| Entertainment in New Zealand is 27% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | NZ$60 ($44) | $46 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | NZ$36 ($26) | $25 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | NZ$243 ($176) | $200 | - 12% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | NZ$114 ($83) | $78 | + 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | NZ$19 ($13) | $12 | + 10% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | NZ$5.02 ($3.64) | $4.94 | - 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | NZ$12 ($9) | $5.64 | + 52% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | NZ$841 ($610) | $425 | + 44% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | NZ$0.60 ($0.44) | $0.25 | + 77% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | NZ$76 ($55) | $49 | + 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | NZ$34 ($25) | $8 | + 198% | |
| TOTAL | + 17% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 12, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.725
USD
/
NZD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 33,032 prices entered by 4,291 different people.
Cost of living in New Zealand is 17% more expensive than in United States
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