Cost of Living in New Zealand in 2025

New Zealand, the South Pacific Island nation, is a beautiful, student-friendly country. Thousands of international students and skilled workers enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in New Zealand. The cost of living in New Zealand in 2025 amounts to NZ$4,530–NZ$5,525 per month for a single person and NZ$6,700–NZ$7,690 per month for a family of four, including food, travel and utility bills. This living cost varies depending on salary and place of stay.

Auckland, being an expensive city, tends to have a higher cost of living in New Zealand. However, there are many affordable places available in the country, such as Dunedin, Whanganui, Rotorua and Hamilton. So, if you’re planning to move to New Zealand, you must set out a budget (monthly or annually), keeping the location in mind to understand whether you can afford to have a comfortable life in a new country. To do that, check out this blog, containing the daily expenses in New Zealand, like housing, food, transportation, healthcare, education costs, etc., to help you make an informed decision.

Table of Contents

• What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
• Housing Costs in New Zealand
• Food & Drinks Cost in New Zealand
• Transportation Costs in New Zealand
• Healthcare Costs in New Zealand
• Education Costs in New Zealand
• Utilities and Bills in New Zealand
• Unexpected Costs in New Zealand
  
  • Flights
  • Private Vehicle (Car)
  • Fitness and Diet
  • Clothing
  • Entertainment
  • Online Purchases
• Cost of Living in New Zealand: City-Wise
• What is the average salary in New Zealand?
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What is the cost of living in New Zealand?

The average cost of living in New Zealand is between NZ$5,000–NZ$8,000 (INR 2,52,388.40–INR 4,03,821.44), including rent, food, accommodation, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. In major cities, it goes up to NZ$10,000. To tackle this huge cost of living, one can use the public transport system as public buses, trains and ferries are cheaper than owning a four-wheel vehicle.

To know how much it takes to study, live, travel and have a healthy lifestyle in New Zealand, let’s find out the cost of each category in detail.

Particulars	Average Costs (in NZ dollars)
Accommodation (per month)	$800–$1000
Food (per week)	$200–$250
Gas and electricity	$250
Transportation (per week)	$50–$100
Clothing (per month)	$115
Sports and Entertainment (per week)	$50
Miscellaneous (per month)	$100–$150

Housing Costs in New Zealand

In New Zealand, housing rent constitutes nearly half of the income, and that’s why house prices have been rising steadily. The housing costs are expensive in big cities like Auckland and Wellington, whereas it is cheaper in small towns like Queenstown and Taranaki. Kiwis pay rent and mortgage pretty high in Auckland compared to other cities. Whether you’re a single person or a family of two, the average cost for a two bedroom property rent is between NZD 520 and NZD 650 a week, and a three bedroom price is between NZD 650 (INR 33,726) and NZD 820 (INR 42,547) per week. For a budget-friendly house, Christchurch would be the best as the costs are lower than a number of smaller cities in New Zealand.

For students, there are two types of accommodation in New Zealand:

On-Campus: The on-campus accommodation is NZD 140–400 per week. However, it differs based on where you are and the type of house you live in. 
Off-Campus: The off-campus accommodation is NZD costs around NZD 100 weekly for shared spaces in flats or houses to almost NZD 170 weekly for studio apartments in desirable places. These expenses include features such as the property’s size, location and utilities.

Housing Costs in New Zealand
S No.	Types of Apartment & Location	Rent
1	Apartment (1 BHK) in City Centre	1,610 NZ$ (₹83,375.90 INR)
2	Apartment (1 BHK) Outside City Limits	1,250 NZ$ (₹64,732.84 INR)
3	Apartment (3 BHK) in City Centre	2,608 NZ$ (₹1,35,058.60 INR)
4	Apartment (3 BHK) Outside City Limits	2,124 NZ$ (₹1,09,994.05 INR)

Food & Drinks Cost in New Zealand

The food and non-alcoholic drinks expense would be around NZ$ 20–30 (1,036 INR–1,554 INR). A meal from a university food court or campus cafe is 7-12 NZD. And a meal from an inexpensive restaurant is 20 NZD (₹1,036). Likewise, a meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant is approximately 70 NZD, and an additional 3 NZD (₹155) for Coke/Pepsi. Tipping is not expected.

According to Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa figures released, food prices in New Zealand are 6.0 percent higher than a year ago. Moreover, the Consumer Prices Manager James Mitchell said, “The largest contribution to the annual change was grocery food, mainly driven by higher prices for fresh eggs, lollies, and peanuts.” 

Here’s the list of average prices for grocery and other eatables.

Food and Drinks Cost in New Zealand
S No	Item	Price (NZD)	Price (INR)
1	Milk (1 litre)	3.15 NZ$	₹163.20
2	Loaf of White Bread (500g)	3.23 NZ$	₹167.35
3	Rice (white) (1kg)	3.25 NZ$	₹168.38
4	Eggs (normal) (1 dozen)	11.24 NZ$	₹582.34
5	Local Cheese (1kg)	14.31 NZ$	₹741.40
6	Chicken Fillets (1kg)	15.72 NZ$	₹814.45
7	Beef Round (1kg)	21.75 NZ$	₹1126.87
8	Apples (1kg)	4.63 NZ$	₹239.88
9	Oranges (1kg)	4.95 NZ$	₹256.46
10	Banana (1kg)	3.99 NZ$	₹206.72
11	Potato (1kg)	3.78 NZ$	₹195.84
12	Tomato (1kg)	9.87 NZ$	₹511.36
13	Onion (1kg)	3.44 NZ$	₹178.23
14	Lettuce (1 head)	4.51 NZ$	₹233.66
15	Water (1.5 litre bottle)	1.98 NZ$	₹102.58
16	Wine Bottle (Mid-range)	15.5 NZ$	₹803.05
17	Domestic Beer (0.5 litre)	5.44 NZ$	₹281.85
18	Imported Beer (0.33 litre)	6.33 NZ$	₹327.96
19	Cigarettes 20 Packs (Marlboro)	38.00 NZ$	₹1968.78

Transportation Costs in New Zealand

New Zealand is highly connected across cities and towns. From nationwide buses and trains to local trams and ferries, commuters have various travel options available. The average transportation costs in New Zealand range from NZD 47 to NZD 100 (Rs. 2433.95/- to Rs. 5178.63/-) per week. It includes public transport like buses or trains, around NZD 4 – NZD 11.5 a day, a taxi cab (Uber) that costs 3.3 NZD per kilometre or a ferry (long or short distance) expenses about 4.7 NZD – 7.3 NZD. You can also take cars, motorhomes or campervans for rent.

Let’s quickly go through the list of transportation costs from the table below.

Transportation Costs in New Zealand
S No.	Transportation	In New Zealand Dollars	In Indian Rupees
1	One-way ticket (local transport)	3.55 NZ$	183.84 INR
2	Monthly Pass (regular price)	200.00 NZ$	10357.25 INR
3	Taxi Start (normal tariff)	4.00 NZ$	207.15 INR
4	Taxi 1km (normal tariff)	3.40 NZ$	176.07 INR
5	Taxi 1 hour Waiting (normal tariff)	55.00 NZ$	2848.25 INR
6	Ferry (both long and short distance)	4.7 – 73 NZ$	238.45 – 3703.64 INR
7	Cycle (Rental per hour)	1 NZD	52 INR
8	Domestic Flights	50 – 70 ND$	2536.74 – 3551.43 INR
9	Gasoline (1 litre)	2.85 NZ$	147.59 INR
10	Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or equivalent new car)	40,000 NZ$	2071450.99 INR
11	Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6L 97 KW Comfort (or equivalent new car)	34,395 NZ$	1781188.92 INR

Healthcare Costs in New Zealand

The healthcare costs in New Zealand are almost subsidised. But, generally, to see a general practitioner (GP), a fee between NZ$ 19 (983 INR) and NZ$ 55 (2848 INR) is required. During an after-hours clinic, it costs nearly NZ$ 75 (3,883 INR). In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health provides free or low-cost public healthcare, irrespective of resident, citizen or work visa holder. If you’re eligible for NZ’s public healthcare system, the government will pay most of your medical costs. It includes doctor’s visits, dental appointments, medicines and support services for disabilities. If you're not eligible, ensure your travel insurance includes the health coverage. For injuries, the Accident Compensation Scheme (ACC) covers most costs for treatment.

According to the OECD Health at a Glance 2023, New Zealand spends NZ$6061 per capita on health, higher than the OECD average of $4986 (USD PPP).

For international students, it is mandatory to get medical insurance before the commencement of the program. The average cost for medical insurance is from NZ$ 200 to NZ$ 700 a year (indicative).

Education Costs in New Zealand

The average education cost in New Zealand is NZ$ 35,000 (18,10,221 in Indian Rupees) for an academic year. It includes university tuition fees, textbooks, stationery, weather-appropriate clothing, student visa, food and weekend-trips. The education cost is costlier for international students and cheaper for domestic students. The expenditure on the tuition fee depends on the type of qualification and university or school you opt for. For example, if you take subjects like humanities, arts & science, etc., your tuition fee will be cheaper, while subjects like medicine, engineering and law are expensive. MBA programs are often the most expensive, ranging from NZ$ 15,875 (INR 8 lakh) to NZ$ 27,500 (INR 14 lakh) per term. Indian students study in New Zealand at affordable costs with the help of New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships, SEG Scholarship and more.

Refer to the table below for the educational cost of various study programs.

Education Costs in New Zealand
S No	Study Program	Tuition Fees
1	Diplomas/Certificates	NZ$ 23,500 – NZ$ 45,000 annually
2	Undergraduate degree	NZ$ 20,500 – NZ$ 27,000 annually
3	Master’s degree	NZ$ 10,300 – NZ$ 15,000 per semester
4	Doctoral degree	NZ$ 6,700 – NZ$ 9,500 annually
5	MBA	NZ$ 31,750 – NZ$ 55,000 annually

Utilities and Bills in New Zealand

The average cost for basic utilities and bills in New Zealand (power, gas, electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for an apartment 85 m2 (900 sqft) is around NZ$250 (12,930.15 INR) per month. The internet (300/100 Mbps, Fibre, Unlimited Data) costs around NZ$1.6 (82.75 INR) per day. A mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB data costs 63.50 NZD. According to Statista, the average cost of electricity for residential use was about 30.22 New Zealand cents per kilowatt-hour in 2022.

Unexpected Costs in New Zealand

When you move to a new country, it’s obvious to spend some extra money in an unexpected situation. Now, let’s find out the potential unexpected costs in New Zealand.

Flights

Since New Zealand is an isolated country with two major airlines, the cost of flying to and from can be high. Flights to major cities cost between NZ$60 (at their cheapest) one way to NZ$400 during busier times. To avoid this unexpected cost, avoid booking flights at the last minute and travel during July and August in a year.

Private Vehicle (Car)

Owning a private four-wheel car is an unexpected cost as the government transportation system isn’t connected to remote areas. So you need to either rent or buy a car to travel across the country. The average price of a litre of petrol in New Zealand is NZ$2.655 (137.32 INR).

Fitness and Diet

Fitness and diet expenses are one of the least unexpected costs by migrants. The price range for a fitness club for 1 adult is between 38NZ$ and 68NZ$ per month. Keep in mind that these prices vary based on specific locations and the level of service or amenities provided.

Clothing

New Zealand is fond of fashion and clothing. On average, you spend NZ$50 on tops, NZ$125 on sweatshirts and knits, NZ$125 on two jeans from mid-priced retailers and NZ$160 on a pair of shoes and socks. For personal care, you need to spend more.

Entertainment

Entertainment is highly sought after in New Zealand. The average price for movie tickets is NZD 10 – NZD 14, a live concert is NZD 70 – NZD 100, and for Gaming & Adventure is above NZD 50. It is one of the unexpected costs among international students.

Online Purchases

To make online purchases in New Zealand, you need a debit or credit card. If you order a product on Amazon or eBay, the delivery will be on the next business day. The price excludes shipping. You can use offers and coupons to buy anything before it expires. However, to avoid this unnecessary expense, you can shop at large retail stores.

Cost of Living in New Zealand: City-Wise

After reviewing all factors such as housing, education healthcare, etc., the choice of location also plays an important role in determining the overall cost of living in New Zealand.

The following table represents the cost of living for the top 5 cities in New Zealand.

Cost of Living in New Zealand: City-Wise
City	Cost of Living (without rent) per month	Cost of Living (without rent) per year
Auckland	NZ$1,844.7 (₹91,775.3)	NZ$22,136.4 (₹11,01,303)
Wellington	NZ$1,789.1 (₹89,011.5)	NZ$21,469.2 (₹10,68,138)
Christchurch	NZ$1,613.7 (₹80,285.2)	NZ$19,364.4 (₹9,63,422)
Queenstown	NZ$1,525 (₹75,870.3)	NZ$18,300 (₹9,10,443)
Hamilton	NZ$1,584.9 (₹78,849.7)	NZ$19,018 (₹9,46,188)

What is the average salary in New Zealand?

As of 2024, the median wage in New Zealand is NZ$22.75 (1,164.79 INR) per hour, lower than that of the UK and the USA. For skilled workers, as per the SEEK data, a Data Analyst’s average salary ranges between NZ$80,000 and NZ$95,000 per year based on a 40-hour week. However, salaries vary based on the region and the industry. For instance, larger cities like Auckland and Wellington pay higher wages in order to meet the higher standard of living.

Moreover, the SEEK reveals some of the highest-paying jobs in New Zealand, including Chief Financial Officer, General Practitioner, Change Manager, Construction Manager and Solutions Architect, with an annual remuneration of NZD175,000 (89,59,951 INR) and a salary growth of at least 6% - 15%.

The New Zealand government relies on taxes to help all New Zealanders live out of poverty and unemployment. Here, individuals and businesses must pay tax on their income. It’s commonly called Pay-As-You-Earn or PAYE. For an income over $48,000 and up to $70,000, the annual tax rate is 30%.

Conclusion

Every year, thousands of people move from their own country to New Zealand for its healthy lifestyle and stable economic conditions. The only concern migrants have is the cost of living. Based on the above factors, it is clear that the average cost of living in New Zealand for a single person is NZ$4,000 to NZ$5000 per month, especially in major cities. However, it varies based on the place of stay and the industry you’re working in. If you still have doubts, refer to our frequently asked questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it expensive to live in New Zealand?

Yes. It is quite expensive to live in New Zealand. A single person must need around NZ$4,500 (Rs. 2,29,241/-) per month for food, rent, travel and bills, while a family of two should earn a minimum of NZ$4,750 (₹2,41,976) per month to live in a place like Christchurch.

2. What salary do you need to live comfortably in NZ?

To live a comfortable life in NZ, you must earn at least NZD90 – NZD 100K. If you have a family with two children, you must get a salary of about $150,000 (combined income). It includes savings and holiday travel.

3. How expensive is New Zealand for Indians?

The cost of living in New Zealand is NZ$21,384 (Rs. 11,08,706/-) per year, which is 123.3% higher than in India. So, it is very expensive in New Zealand for Indians.

4. Is it cheaper to live in NZ or the US?

Yes. It is cheaper to live in New Zealand than in the United States of America because the average cost of living in NZ is 25% less expensive than in the USA. The major cities of the USA, like New York and San Francisco are costlier than the major cities in New Zealand.

5. How is life in New Zealand for Indians?

Life in New Zealand for Indians is peaceful. Here, there is no violence or discrimination against people. Police are friendly and relaxed. So Indians do not feel threatened in any form.

6. Is it cheaper to live in New Zealand or Australia?

Yes. It is cheaper to live in New Zealand than in Australia. The average cost of living in Australia ($2260 or ₹1,87,829) is 23% more expensive than in New Zealand ($1833 or ₹1,52,341).

7. What are the other expenses in New Zealand?

Some of the other expenses in New Zealand are insurance, currency exchange costs, taxes, healthcare, language classes, cultural events, emergency fund, and expenses for joining clubs and organisations. 

8. Which city in New Zealand has the lowest cost of living?

The West Coast in New Zealand has the lowest cost of living. The prices are affordable and you can bargain to some extent. This city offers lower rent houses and at the same time many job opportunities.

9. Which city in New Zealand has the highest cost of living?

Auckland in New Zealand has the highest cost of living. The average regional house price in Auckland is NZD 1.265m.  It is one of the most expensive cities according to The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report 2023. 

10. What is the cost of living in New Zealand per month?

The monthly living cost in New Zealand is believed to be around 4,000 – 5,000 NZ dollars for one person to lead a comfortable life.

11. What is the cost of living in New Zealand per year? 

According to the 2024 UN World Population Review, the annual living cost in New Zealand is NZ$21,384 (Rs. 11 lakh).

12. What is New Zealand’s living cost for an Indian?

The cost of living in New Zealand is way different than in India.

• Food and Groceries in New Zealand are 170.5% higher than in India.
• Rent and accommodation prices in New Zealand are 311% more luxurious compared to India.
• Entertainment costs in New Zealand are 180% more costly than in India.
• The average monthly net salary (after tax) in New Zealand is 81.5% higher than in India.

13. What is the cost of living in New Zealand for a family of four?

The estimated cost of living in New Zealand for a family of four is NZ$22,000 per month. The family apartment rent (900 sq. ft) comes to around NZD7,994 (INR 4,14,298) monthly. If one of the children is studying in a preschool (or kindergarten), it is 800 per month or 15,000 per year if it is in an international primary school. The food expenses are around $180 (Rs. 9,329/-) per week for veggies, fruits and dairy products. During weekends, it costs $50 (Rs. 2,591/-) extra for non-vegetarians (like 1kg beef and chicken).

14. What is the cost of living in New Zealand for a family of two?

The average living expenses in New Zealand range from 12,000 to 20,000 NZ dollars for a family of two/couples, including the cost of housing. Sharing the household with others allows diving of rent, electricity and other utility expenses.

15. What is the cost of living in New Zealand for a single person?

The average cost of living in New Zealand for a single person is around NZ$ 5,500 or INR 2,77,627 per month in a major city like Auckland. It includes NZ$2,280 to live alone in the CBD or NZ$2,360 to live in a three-bedroom suburban flat. A single person spends NZ$90 monthly on sports and entertainment, followed by NZ$200 for branded clothes and shoes. Moreover, a single student spends 87NZ$ for the internet (60Mbps). Future students must note that housing prices directly impact the cost of living in New Zealand. For example, if you stay in a city like Auckland, the average house price is NZ$1.261 million per annum, whereas a remote place like the West Coast costs you only NZ$371K in a year. To save money, individuals must work on their spending habits.