Cost of living
What is the cost of living in New Zealand? Find out about prices for groceries and entertainment, and learn about student living costs.
Comparing with other countries
Mercer's 2024 Cost of Living survey(external link that opens in a new tab) ranked Auckland 111th in the world and Wellington 145th, which is much better than many major cities. The survey measures the comparative cost of over 200 items in each city like housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment.
The most expensive cities are:
- Hong Kong (1)
- Singapore (2)
- New York (7)
- London (8)
- Los Angeles (10)
- Amsterdam (30)
- Sydney (58)
This means that New Zealand’s major cities are more affordable than those in other countries.
Tip: Even if you don’t have a lot of money you can still have a great time in New Zealand. It’s free to explore our stunning beaches, mountains, forests and lakes. Other free entertainment includes live music, festivals, outdoor movies, parks, gardens, and some museums and art galleries.
During your student orientation look out for information on free or discounted entertainment and activities.
How much things cost
Everyday needs might be more or less expensive than where you’re from. Here are the prices of some things you might need, so you have an idea of what it’s going to cost you to live in New Zealand. If you can't find what you need on this page, try using this comparison tool to compare costs with your home country.
As part of your student visa application, you have to show proof that you can comfortably maintain your living expenses while studying in New Zealand. If you’re studying here for more than one year, you‘ll need to have at least NZD$20,000. If you’re studying for less than a year, you need at least NZD$1,666 for each month you live here.
Generally, life is cheaper in smaller cities and towns so your living costs will depend on where you live.
Some living costs vary by region:
University of Auckland (external link that opens in a new tab)(Auckland) recommends students allow between NZD$20,000-$27,000
The University of Waikato(external link that opens in a new tab) (Hamilton) recommends students allow NZD$20,000
Victoria University of Wellington(external link that opens in a new tab) (Wellington) recommends students allow between NZD$20,000-$27,000
University of Canterbury(external link that opens in a new tab) (Christchurch) recommends students allow NZD$20,000
University of Otago(external link that opens in a new tab) (Dunedin) recommends students allow between NZD$18,000-$21,000
Massey University(external link that opens in a new tab) recommends students allow NZD$20,000. Massey University has campuses in Palmerston North, Auckland, and Wellington.
These university recommendations may refer to different costs and some costs may not be included. It's a good idea to check the university websites directly.
Some of the food you'll buy in New Zealand has been imported internationally to us, which means it may be more expensive than what you are used to. Some New Zealand supermarkets (like New World(external link that opens in a new tab) and Woolworths NZ(external link that opens in a new tab)) offer online grocery shopping. You can use the online shop to check out the prices of the things you like to buy at home to compare the difference. Remember, New Zealand supermarkets and Asian food markets have weekly special offers, so you might save money in store.
Generally, you might spend around NZD$100–$150 per week on groceries. Here are some typical prices:
(All costs are listed in NZD – New Zealand dollars)
Milk: $2.35-$4.50
Bread: $3.30-$5.00
Cup noodles: $0.60-$1.20
Rice (1kg): $2.00-4.00
Peanut butter: $4.00-$8.00
Can of soda (New Zealanders call this 'soft drink' or 'fizzy drink'): $2.00-$3.00
Orange juice (1 litre): $3.00-$6.00
Small bottle of water: $1.00-$3.00
Bananas: $2.89-$5.00
Bag of apples (1kg): $3.00-$6.00
Lettuce: $3.00-$5.50
Fresh chicken (small packet of two chicken breasts): $7.00-15.00
Fresh steak (small packet of steaks for two people): $13.00-$20.00
Cigarettes (pack of 20 single cigarettes): $25.00-$40.00
Prices vary because of different brands. It's important to note that although you can buy bottled water here, it is safe to drink water straight from the tap in all households and hostels in New Zealand. Bottled water is something you will only need to buy if you are going tramping or camping.
Clothing and footwear prices in New Zealand might be more expensive than what you’re used to. You can find global clothing brands like Zara, H&M, and Nike in our big cities. Check out the popular clothing stores below to see the prices of clothes and shoes. We've listed where these stores are generally lower cost, medium cost or high-cost.
Lower cost:
The Warehouse(external link that opens in a new tab)
Kmart(external link that opens in a new tab)
Cotton On(external link that opens in a new tab)
Number One Shoes(external link that opens in a new tab)
Medium cost:
Farmers(external link that opens in a new tab) department store
Glassons(external link that opens in a new tab) (Women's clothing only)
Hallenstein Brothers(external link that opens in a new tab) (Men's clothing only)
Hannahs Shoes(external link that opens in a new tab)
Higher end cost
Cue(external link that opens in a new tab) (Women's clothing only)
Karen Walker(external link that opens in a new tab) (Women's clothing only)
Mi Piaci(external link that opens in a new tab) (Women's clothing only)
Barkers(external link that opens in a new tab) (Men's clothing only)
Smith and Caugheys department store(external link that opens in a new tab) (Auckland)
Ballantynes(external link that opens in a new tab) department store (Christchurch)
Renting (or 'flatting') is different to living in a student hostel or hall of residence or living in a homestay. Check out Types of housing to learn about the differences, or find out more about flatting.
Rental costs vary widely depending on where you are in New Zealand and what kind of housing you want: a single room or a whole house with flatmates.
Typical rental costs for a two-bedroom unfurnished apartment range from NZD$360-$523 per week in smaller cities like Dunedin and Rotorua, to NZD$410–NZD$823 per week in bigger cities like Auckland and Wellington.
Find the cities and towns you're interested in on NauMai NZ. Then check the housing information on each city and town page to get an indication of how much rent costs in that city or town.
If you're staying at a student hostel or hall of residence your accommodation fees will include electricity (if you're on a food plan, your meals will also be covered but you should check with your hostel about any other expenses you will need to cover). In a homestay, electricity will be included. If you're sharing a flat with others you will share the cost of electricity among other expenses. There are a lot of electricity and gas retailers in New Zealand, and they offer different plans to suit your budget. You can find the best deals at Powerswitch(external link that opens in a new tab).
The average New Zealand power bill is:
Auckland: $181NZD a month
Wellington: $185NZD a month
Christchurch: $197NZD a month
Dunedin: $177NZD a month
Most large homeware stores have online shops where you can check out prices for common household items.
Remember, you don’t have to buy new things. New Zealand has a lot of great second-hand shops where you buy clothes and things for your house that were once owned by others. It is not unusual for Kiwis to recycle and buy second-hand items.
A popular place to buy second-hand goods throughout New Zealand is The Salvation Army Family Store(external link that opens in a new tab) (often called 'the Sallies') and hospice shops(external link that opens in a new tab). You can also buy second-hand goods online through TradeMe(external link that opens in a new tab) (a New Zealand online marketplace) and Facebook Marketplace.
Have a look at these shops to see how much things cost: Harvey Norman(external link that opens in a new tab) (sells small and large appliances, furniture, bedding, computers and laptops)
Smith City(external link that opens in a new tab) (sells small and large appliances, furniture, bedding, computers and laptops, child care items like car seats)
The Warehouse(external link that opens in a new tab) (sells a variety of small and large appliances, bedding and linen, and some furniture)
Kmart (external link that opens in a new tab)(sells a variety of small and large appliances, bedding and linen, and some furniture)
Briscoes(external link that opens in a new tab) (sells small and large appliances, items for your kitchen and bathroom, bedding and linen, some furniture and storage items).
Healthcare in New Zealand isn't free.
The basic fee to see a doctor is around $80–$120NZD and visits at night and weekends cost a bit extra.
The average fee for a dentist to examine your teeth is around $74-$98NZD, depending on where you live. If the dentist needs to take an X-ray or treat your teeth this will cost more.
All international students must have medical insurance while they’re in New Zealand to cover your medical advice and treatment costs. Find out more about using your insurance to pay for healthcare.
Remember, most costs of injuries from accidents are covered by our accident compensation scheme (ACC)(external link that opens in a new tab).
Your insurance may not cover the costs of going to the dentist or getting sexual and reproductive healthcare. Make sure you read your medical insurance policy so you understand what it covers. If you have a question about your policy, contact the insurance company.
You can find out more about getting healthcare and costs and what you can use your insurance for in Getting a doctor, dentist or sexual healthcare.
Most New Zealand cities and towns have buses. Auckland and Wellington have train and ferry services from the city centre to the suburbs. Many New Zealanders use buses and trains to get to and from work. Prices vary depending on the location. We also love to walk and cycle, which is free and keeps us fit! If you are living in a student hostel you will almost always be within walking distance from where you're studying. Bus fares can range from $1.40NZD to $9.00NZD, depending on where you live and how far you’re going. Find out more about public transport and getting around.
There are many things you can do in New Zealand for free, like checking out your local art gallery or playing a game of touch rugby in the park.
New Zealanders love local theatre and live music. From free concerts in the park to discounted student tickets to plays or comedy shows, you'll find there's something for every budget.
Some general entertainment prices are:
(All prices are listed in NZD – New Zealand dollars)
Movie ticket: $10-$17
Concert: free to $100 or more (depending on the band or singer)
Show (ballet or theatre): free to $100 (depending on the show)
Glass of wine: $9-$18
Pint of beer: $8-$12
Remember, the drinking age here is 18+ years old. Find out more about how to drink alcohol legally and sensibly here.
For more ideas about free or affordable things you can do to meet people or experience life here, check our information on Making Friends in New Zealand.
Tip: Students can get some great discounts on anything from food to entertainment and clothing. Ask at your place of study about what discounts are available in your area.