Cost of living in New Zealand compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in New Zealand is about the same as in Australia | ||||
| New Zealand | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | NZ$22 (AU$20) | AU$23 | - 12% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | NZ$15 (AU$14) | AU$15 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | NZ$9 (AU$8) | AU$7 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | NZ$2.46 (AU$2.27) | AU$1.94 | + 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | NZ$11 (AU$10) | AU$7 | + 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | NZ$9 (AU$9) | AU$7 | + 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | NZ$10 (AU$9) | AU$10 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | NZ$4.67 (AU$4.31) | AU$5.03 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | NZ$4.04 (AU$3.73) | AU$3.67 | + 2% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | NZ$4.85 (AU$4.48) | AU$6 | - 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | NZ$20 (AU$18) | AU$20 | - 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | NZ$4.10 (AU$3.79) | AU$3.67 | + 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | NZ$2.55 (AU$2.35) | AU$3.04 | - 23% | |
| Housing | - 8% | |||
| Housing in New Zealand is 8% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| New Zealand | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | NZ$3,584 (AU$3,308) | AU$3,871 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | NZ$2,858 (AU$2,638) | AU$2,594 | + 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | NZ$202 (AU$186) | AU$216 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | NZ$2,583 (AU$2,384) | AU$2,355 | + 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | NZ$1,932 (AU$1,783) | AU$1,942 | - 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | NZ$148 (AU$137) | AU$163 | - 16% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | NZ$75 (AU$69) | AU$71 | - 3% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | NZ$673 (AU$621) | AU$535 | + 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | NZ$291 (AU$269) | AU$248 | + 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | NZ$19 (AU$18) | AU$17 | + 1% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | NZ$34 (AU$31) | AU$42 | - 26% | |
| Clothes | + 0% | |||
| Clothes in New Zealand is about the same as in Australia | ||||
| New Zealand | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | NZ$120 (AU$111) | AU$125 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | NZ$95 (AU$88) | AU$81 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | NZ$166 (AU$154) | AU$174 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | NZ$210 (AU$194) | AU$191 | + 2% | |
| Transportation | - 12% | |||
| Transportation in New Zealand is 12% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| New Zealand | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | NZ$38,812 (AU$35,827) | AU$35,831 | - 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | NZ$2.75 (AU$2.54) | AU$1.99 | + 28% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | NZ$138 (AU$128) | AU$160 | - 20% | |
| Personal Care | - 19% | |||
| Personal Care in New Zealand is 19% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| New Zealand | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | NZ$14 (AU$12) | AU$8 | + 50% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | NZ$5.00 (AU$4.62) | AU$24 | - 81% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | NZ$63 (AU$58) | AU$83 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | NZ$7 (AU$7) | AU$7 | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | NZ$6 (AU$5.79) | AU$5.15 | + 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | NZ$8 (AU$7) | AU$7 | - 2% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | NZ$3.37 (AU$3.11) | AU$4.19 | - 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | NZ$4.03 (AU$3.72) | AU$4.66 | - 20% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | NZ$39 (AU$36) | AU$32 | + 12% | |
| Entertainment | - 4% | |||
| Entertainment in New Zealand is 4% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| New Zealand | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | NZ$88 (AU$81) | AU$66 | + 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | NZ$38 (AU$35) | AU$42 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | NZ$136 (AU$126) | AU$292 | - 57% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | NZ$125 (AU$115) | AU$120 | - 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | NZ$21 (AU$20) | AU$20 | - 3% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | NZ$5.78 (AU$5.34) | AU$5.31 | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | NZ$12 (AU$11) | AU$11 | - 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | NZ$1,278 (AU$1,180) | AU$883 | + 34% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | NZ$0.44 (AU$0.40) | AU$0.50 | - 19% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | NZ$79 (AU$73) | AU$75 | - 2% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | NZ$39 (AU$36) | AU$41 | - 12% | |
| TOTAL | - 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 24, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.923
AUD
/
NZD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,594 prices entered by 488 different people.
Cost of living in New Zealand is 8% cheaper than in Australia
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