The cost of living in New Zealand is high compared to most of the other nations popular among international students and expats. Food and groceries might cost you 110-130 NZD while renting a 900 Sq. feet apartment in an expensive area could cost you around 2,700 NZD.
Let’s take a look at the average cost of living in New Zealand by considering the following factors:
- Rent and housing
- Utility costs
- Entertainment and fitness
- Health and medical care
- Food and grocery
- Transportation
What Makes New Zealand A Popular Choice Among Immigrants And Students?
Most of the people living in New Zealand are migrants from different nations. This nation is famous for its acceptance of different cultures and people practicing a different faith.
The country holds the belief that each individual is unique and unlike most of the nations in the world, they do not divide people into different classes. The people of New Zealand are quite friendly and welcoming making it a good place for immigrants and students to live in.
New Zealand is covered in evergreen forests, beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans, and bays. This land has much to offer to people who love nature, travel, and adventure. New Zealand’s love for outdoor lifestyle and sports and games also attracts expats from around the globe.
The excellent quality of education offered by the Universities and colleges in New Zealand makes it popular among international students.
The land of Kiwis also occupies one of the first five positions in the list of peaceful countries in the world. This developed nation with a steadily growing economy requires a good number of skilled workers.
The excellent remuneration packages and lifestyle attracts several workers to this country from around the globe.
Whether you are planning to move to New Zealand as a student, on a work visa or as a Permanent Resident you need to be clear about how much it would cost you to live in the different places in this country.
Cost Of Living In New Zealand: Rent And Housing
A major portion of the cost of living in New Zealand is determined by the charges you pay on rent and housing. Rent varies from place to place. You can expect to pay a higher rent if you choose to live in one of the major cities. Rent and housing are much cheaper in remote towns and rural areas.
Auckland remains the most expensive city in the country followed by Wellington. Auckland and Wellington also happen to be the most popular choice among students and migrants.
Auckland and Wellington also are the most populous cities in New Zealand and hence people have to pay a much higher cost to rent a property or an apartment.
Renting a 900 Sq. feet furnished an apartment in an expensive area could cost you around 2,700 NZD (New Zealand Dollar). Rent could come down significantly if you choose to live in places like Dunedin, Queenstown, Hamilton or Rotorua.
You’d be paying only around 1,500 NZD per month on an average for a 900 Sq. feet house in those places. In case you find a rental property through an agency you are expected to pay 1 weeks rent as a fee to the concerned agent/agency.
Choosing to live in a quiet town or a remote area in New Zealand not just helps you enjoy a peaceful life. The cost of housing and rent is much cheaper in such places. Given below are the average rental charges in some of the major places in New Zealand.
| City | Type Of House | Monthly Rent- Normal Area | Monthly Rent-Expensive Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 85m2/900 Sq. feet | 2,300 | 2,700 |
| 45 m2/480 Sq. feet | 1,500 | 2,100 | |
| Wellington | 85m2/900 Sq. feet | 2,400 | 3,200 |
| 45 m2/480 Sq. feet | 1,375 | 2,000 | |
| Christchurch | 85m2/900 Sq. feet | 1,500 | 3,150 |
| 45 m2/480 Sq. feet | 1,000 | 1,200 | |
| Dunedin | 85m2/900 Sq. feet | 1,300 | 2,000 |
| 45 m2/480 Sq. feet | 920 | 1,370 | |
| Hamilton | 85m2/900 Sq. feet | 1,400 | 2,350 |
| 45 m2/480 Sq. feet | 1,110 | 1,400 | |
| Queenstown | 85m2/900 Sq. feet | 1,810 | 2,450 |
| 45 m2/480 Sq. feet | 1,470 | 1,800 | |
| Rotorua | 85m2/900 Sq. feet | 1,300 | 1,570 |
| 45 m2/480 Sq. feet | 300-400 | 750 |
Note: Average price in New Zealand Dollars (NZD)
Cost Of Living In New Zealand: Utility Charges
You are expected to pay an amount on utilities like electricity, water, gas, and heating every month in New Zealand. An individual living in the country pays 135 NZD on an average as utility charges every month.
Sharing accommodation is one of the best ways by which you can cut down costs on housing. However, this would be possible only if you are single or a student.
| City | Utility Charges |
|---|---|
| Auckland | 132 |
| Wellington | 140 |
| Christchurch | 120 |
| Dunedin | 133 |
| Hamilton | 107 |
| Queenstown | 110 |
| Rotorua | 75-80 |
Note: Utility charges per person in NZD
Cost Of Living In New Zealand: Fitness And Entertainment
New Zealand has much to offer if you love adventure, traveling, sports and games. This is the perfect place for hiking, yachting, trekking, sightseeing, and photography. Most of the tourist destinations, hiking spots, and museums are free for the public.
Two tickets for a movie could cost you anywhere between 25-36 NZD depending on the place you live in. Two tickets to a theatre performance would be around 180 NZD on an average for the best seats available.
A monthly membership in a gymnasium would cost you around 70 NZD on an average.
| City | Movie Tickets For 2 | Theatre Tickets For 2 | Gym Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 36 | 222 | 78 |
| Wellington | 25 | 130 | 50 |
| Christchurch | 26 | 150 | 55 |
| Dunedin | 26 | 93 | 70 |
| Hamilton | 34 | 79 | 58 |
| Queenstown | 35 | - | 81 |
| Rotorua | 23 | - | 27 |
Note: Price in New Zealand Dollars (NZD)
Cost Of Living In New Zealand: Food And Groceries
Food and groceries are quite expensive in New Zealand because most of it is not produced locally. Eating out would be more expensive than buying your own groceries and cooking. You can cut down the cost of living by cooking your own food.
Compared to places like Rotorua, Dunedin and Hamilton going out for a meal or dinner in Auckland and Wellington would be too expensive. It is several times cheaper when you dine out in a small town or suburb.
A dinner for two in an expensive restaurant in one of the major cities could cost you around 110-130 NZD on an average. This would come down to 85-100 NZD if you live in a smaller town.
You can cut down the cost if you are having a meal at a fast food chain like the Burger King, Pizza Hut, McDonalds or Subway. It would cost you only around 10-14 NZD for a meal at such places.
| City | Food And Groceries For A Month | Basic Meal | Meal At A Fast Food Chain | Fine Dining For 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 400-430 | 18 | 11 | 115 |
| Wellington | 395-410 | 17 | 12 | 95-100 |
| Christchurch | 390-400 | 21 | 12 | 90-95 |
| Dunedin | 410-430 | 16 | 13 | 105 |
| Hamilton | 395-415 | 21 | 13 | 130 |
| Queenstown | 400-415 | 19 | 12 | 105 |
| Rotorua | 390-405 | 21 | 11 | 115 |
Note: Price in New Zealand Dollars (Approximate Costs)
Cost Of Living In New Zealand: Medical And Health Care
New Zealand has excellent public and private health care system. Public health care is funded through the taxes provided by residents. The residents are thus eligible for subsidized or free medical care.
The private health care system is much expensive than public health care. However, you receive quick treatment.
Only those people who are eligible for the public health care system in New Zealand can take private health care insurance. When you have medical insurance you have the right to choose a specialist or surgeon.
There are mainly two types of medical insurance in New Zealand. A comprehensive cover insurance policy that covers your overall medical costs including visits to the GP and medical prescriptions.
Insurance policies that cover a combination of specialist’s treatment and surgeries are the second types. Surgeries, in this case, include only those that do not require urgent attention.
Compared to most of the other nations, private health care insurance in New Zealand is not that expensive. Some employers also provide medical insurance coverage for their employees along with their work packages.
Annual premium charges could be anywhere between 550-1,000 NZD on an average depending on what policy you’ve opted for.
| City | Doctor’s Fee | Antibiotics | Medicine For Cold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 53 | 7 | 12 |
| Wellington | 56 | 5 | 16 |
| Christchurch | 48 | 11 | 13 |
| Dunedin | 41 | 7 | 17 |
| Hamilton | 50 | 5 | 14 |
| Queenstown | 58 | 7 | 9 |
| Rotorua | 43 | 15 | 13 |
Note: Price in New Zealand Dollars (NZD)
Cost Of Living In New Zealand: Transportation Charges
In New Zealand, there are different forms of public transportation system mostly operated in urban areas. The main form of public transport in New Zealand is the bus.
The major cities like Wellington and Auckland have a city-suburban rail service. Local ferry services are also quite popular in New Zealand.
Considering the fact that New Zealand has a very small population and a lot of wide open spaces providing extensive public transport services remain unpractical. This is one main reason why most of the residents in New Zealand consider buying a car as soon as they can.
A person living in New Zealand has to pay around 160-170 NZD on an average on public transport. Given below are the costs for public transportation services for a month in different places in New Zealand.
| City | Charges For A Month |
|---|---|
| Auckland | 190 |
| Wellington | 172 |
| Christchurch | 113 |
| Dunedin | 90 |
| Hamilton | 100 |
| Queenstown | 174 |
| Rotorua | 24 |
Note: Price in New Zealand Dollars (NZD)
Cost of living in New Zealand varies from place to place. If you choose to live in one of the major cities in the country you’ll have to pay a much higher price as living costs.
If you choose to live in a smaller town or countryside or away from the major cities you can save a lot of money on your living costs. Renting and housing are much cheaper in smaller towns.
Once you are sure of where you’ll be living in New Zealand, you can compare the prices in the nearby locations before deciding on a place to move in. This will make it easier for you to plan a budget for your living expenses.
Also See
- What Is The Cost Of Living In Canada?
- What Is The Cost Of Living In Australia For Immigrants And International Students?
- The Cost Of Living In The USA – A Guide For Expats And Students
- Tax Filing In New Zealand For International Students – A Comprehensive Guideline
