Cost of Living in New Zealand (2025)
Wondering how much it costs to live in New Zealand? Whether you’re planning to study, relocate, or bring your family, this guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of real living costs based on the latest Numbeo and SEEK data. All prices are in USD.
Monthly Expenses Overview
Here’s what a typical monthly budget looks like for living in New Zealand — whether you’re coming alone or with your family. This estimate includes essential living costs and rent in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.
Category
Single person
Family of 4
Living expenses
$1000
$3600
Rent (Auckland)
$1100
$1850
Total
$2100
$5450
Grocery Prices (Top 15)
Wondering how much your weekly shopping will cost? Here’s a snapshot of essential grocery prices in New Zealand so you can plan your food budget with confidence.
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Milk (1L): $1.50
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Bread (500g): $1.76
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Eggs (12): $6.46
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Chicken (1kg): $8.63
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Apples (1kg): $2.80
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Bananas (1kg): $2.30
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Potatoes (1kg): $1.60
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Rice (1kg): $2.50​
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Tomatoes (1kg): $3.00
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Cheese (500g): $4.50
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Yogurt (1kg): $3.70
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Butter (250g): $2.80
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Peanut Butter (500g): $3.60
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Pasta (500g): $1.80
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Orange Juice (1L): $2.90
Housing & Transport in New Zealand
Accommodation and transport are two of the biggest costs when settling in New Zealand. Whether you're moving as a student or with your family, knowing what to expect can help you budget with confidence. Below you'll find a side-by-side view of typical rent prices in major cities, plus the real cost of getting around — from buses to cars.
Average Monthly Rent (in USD)
Category
1 BR (Center)
1 BR (Outside)
3 BR (Center)
3 BR (Outside)
Auckland
$1266
$1100
$2423
$1850
Wellington
$1233
$1045
$2071
$1884
Christchurch
$1577
$1210
$1989
$1384
Transport Costs (Monthly/Typical Use, in USD)
Public Transport
​
-
Monthly pass (Auckland): $90
-
Monthly pass (Wellington): $85
-
Single local ride (bus/train): $2.50 – $4.00
-
Airport shuttle (one way): $16 – $25
-
Taxi (5 km): $10.00
-
Uber (10 km off-peak): ~$13.00
Car Ownership
​
-
Petrol (1L, 91 octane): $1.50
-
Annual registration (WOF + Rego): $150 – $200
-
Car insurance (annual): $300 – $600
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Maintenance (avg/year): $250 – $500
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Used Toyota Corolla (2017–2019): $9,000 – $14,000
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Parking (CBD, per hour): $3.50 – $5.50
Dining Out in New Zealand
Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or planning a dinner out with friends, dining in New Zealand offers variety — and value. Here’s a breakdown of real prices so you can budget like a local.
Cafés & Quick Bites
​
-
Coffee (flat white or cappuccino): $3.40 – $4.50
-
Takeaway lunch (e.g. sushi, salad, sandwich): $8.50 – $12.00
-
Fast food combo (McDonald’s/other chains): $9.00 – $10.00
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Bakery pastry (croissant, muffin): $3.00 – $4.20
-
Casual Dining
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Casual café meal (e.g. burger, pasta): $15.00 – $22.00
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Pizza (large, takeout): $14.00 – $18.00
-
Fish and chips (for one): $9.00 – $13.00
-
Beer (0.5L, local draft): $6.00 – $7.50
-
Glass of wine (restaurant): $7.00 – $10.00
Restaurants
​
-
Mid-range dinner for two (3 courses): $65.00 – $85.00
-
High-end fine dining (per person): $70.00 – $120.00+
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Bottle of wine (store): $9.00 – $18.00
-
Dinner + drinks for family of 4 (mid-range): $120.00 – $160.00
Tip
​
-
Tipping is not expected in New Zealand.
-
Service charge is typically included in the price.BYO (Bring Your Own wine) restaurants are common — corkage fees range from $4–$10 per bottle.
Career Pathways & Salaries
Moving to New Zealand isn’t just about studying — it’s about building a better life and a sustainable career. The programs we support are designed to lead to real jobs, competitive salaries, and long-term stability.
Whether you're entering the tech sector, stepping into business leadership — New Zealand offers clear pathways to employment, work visas, and often, residency.
Below you’ll find typical job outcomes and average starting to mid-career salaries (converted to USD) for graduates of:
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Master of Management
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Master of Business Informatics
A Master of Management opens doors to strategic and operational roles across a wide range of industries. Many graduates step into leadership-track positions in project delivery, business development, or marketing — often without needing prior New Zealand experience. Below are common career outcomes and average annual salaries.
Job Title
Average Salary
Project Manager
$68,100
Operations Manager
$65,600
Marketing Manager
$60,000
Business Development Manager
$60,000
Management Consultant
$54,000
The Master of Business Informatics degree bridges business and IT — making graduates highly sought after for data-driven and technical roles. Whether it’s analysing systems or leading digital projects, Business Informatics offers strong career opportunities in a tech-forward economy like New Zealand’s. Here are typical roles and salary ranges.
Job Title
Average Salary
Business Analyst
$66,100
Data Analyst
$60,000
IT Project Manager
$60,000
Information System Manager
$63,000
IT Security
$66,000
