Cost of living in United States compared to New Zealand
Currency:
| Food | + 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 30% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 (NZ$36) | NZ$25 | + 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (NZ$20) | NZ$16 | + 29% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.89 (NZ$10) | NZ$8 | + 28% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.10 (NZ$1.86) | NZ$2.18 | - 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.48 (NZ$9) | NZ$10 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.88 (NZ$8) | NZ$7 | + 24% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (NZ$13) | NZ$8 | + 59% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.26 (NZ$7) | NZ$4.97 | + 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.29 (NZ$3.87) | NZ$3.66 | + 6% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.59 (NZ$6) | NZ$7 | - 8% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (NZ$30) | NZ$20 | + 55% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.94 (NZ$4.98) | NZ$4.41 | + 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.04 (NZ$5.14) | NZ$2.25 | + 128% | |
| Housing | + 50% | |||
| Housing in United States is 50% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,082 (NZ$5,215) | NZ$3,315 | + 57% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,372 (NZ$4,015) | NZ$2,559 | + 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $227 (NZ$384) | NZ$203 | + 89% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,213 (NZ$3,746) | NZ$2,476 | + 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,615 (NZ$2,734) | NZ$1,943 | + 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $166 (NZ$281) | NZ$169 | + 66% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $61 (NZ$104) | NZ$78 | + 33% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $249 (NZ$421) | NZ$679 | - 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $156 (NZ$265) | NZ$194 | + 37% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (NZ$25) | NZ$20 | + 25% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $35 (NZ$59) | NZ$39 | + 51% | |
| Clothes | - 8% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 8% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $57 (NZ$97) | NZ$138 | - 30% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $51 (NZ$87) | NZ$83 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $106 (NZ$179) | NZ$205 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $140 (NZ$237) | NZ$194 | + 22% | |
| Transportation | - 11% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 11% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,965 (NZ$52,407) | NZ$47,061 | + 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.94 (NZ$1.59) | NZ$2.78 | - 43% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $84 (NZ$143) | NZ$161 | - 11% | |
| Personal Care | + 146% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 146% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (NZ$16) | NZ$13 | + 22% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $25 (NZ$42) | NZ$5.00 | + 732% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $169 (NZ$286) | NZ$67 | + 325% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $10 (NZ$16) | NZ$7 | + 132% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.26 (NZ$9) | NZ$5.66 | + 57% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (NZ$12) | NZ$8 | + 40% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.11 (NZ$9) | NZ$3.04 | + 184% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.37 (NZ$4.01) | NZ$3.30 | + 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $30 (NZ$51) | NZ$36 | + 44% | |
| Entertainment | + 65% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 65% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (NZ$103) | NZ$65 | + 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 (NZ$51) | NZ$39 | + 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $243 (NZ$412) | NZ$251 | + 64% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $105 (NZ$177) | NZ$112 | + 58% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (NZ$25) | NZ$19 | + 34% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.94 (NZ$10) | NZ$5.79 | + 74% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (NZ$13) | NZ$13 | - 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $464 (NZ$785) | NZ$1,174 | - 33% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.03 (NZ$1.74) | NZ$0.51 | + 240% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $72 (NZ$121) | NZ$71 | + 72% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (NZ$19) | NZ$40 | - 53% | |
| TOTAL | + 32% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.692
NZD
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,648 prices entered by 1,934 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 32% more expensive than in New Zealand
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 6% cheaper than in New Zealand
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 49% more expensive than in New Zealand
- Cost of living in Andorra is about the same as in New Zealand
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in New Zealand
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in New Zealand
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 14% more expensive than in New Zealand
- Cost of living in Argentina is 28% cheaper than in New Zealand
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 52% cheaper than in New Zealand