Cost of living in United States compared to New Zealand
Currency:
| Food | + 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 20% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (NZ$33) | NZ$22 | + 48% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (NZ$17) | NZ$15 | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.75 (NZ$10) | NZ$9 | + 10% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.09 (NZ$1.81) | NZ$2.42 | - 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.94 (NZ$8) | NZ$11 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.65 (NZ$8) | NZ$9 | - 17% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (NZ$12) | NZ$9 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.51 (NZ$8) | NZ$4.67 | + 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.36 (NZ$3.93) | NZ$4.04 | - 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.26 (NZ$5.45) | NZ$4.85 | + 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (NZ$26) | NZ$20 | + 33% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.91 (NZ$4.86) | NZ$4.10 | + 18% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.83 (NZ$4.72) | NZ$2.55 | + 85% | |
| Housing | + 37% | |||
| Housing in United States is 37% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,962 (NZ$4,941) | NZ$3,584 | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,269 (NZ$3,785) | NZ$2,858 | + 32% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $224 (NZ$374) | NZ$202 | + 85% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,996 (NZ$3,330) | NZ$2,583 | + 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,511 (NZ$2,520) | NZ$1,932 | + 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $150 (NZ$251) | NZ$148 | + 69% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 (NZ$106) | NZ$75 | + 42% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $294 (NZ$490) | NZ$673 | - 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $141 (NZ$235) | NZ$291 | - 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (NZ$23) | NZ$19 | + 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $32 (NZ$54) | NZ$34 | + 59% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 14% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $56 (NZ$94) | NZ$120 | - 22% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $48 (NZ$80) | NZ$95 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $95 (NZ$159) | NZ$166 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $126 (NZ$210) | NZ$210 | - 0% | |
| Transportation | + 7% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 7% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,752 (NZ$46,292) | NZ$40,505 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.03 (NZ$1.71) | NZ$2.71 | - 37% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $83 (NZ$138) | NZ$119 | + 16% | |
| Personal Care | + 117% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 117% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (NZ$15) | NZ$14 | + 8% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $24 (NZ$39) | NZ$5.00 | + 689% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $151 (NZ$253) | NZ$63 | + 300% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (NZ$15) | NZ$7 | + 104% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.89 (NZ$8) | NZ$6 | + 30% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (NZ$12) | NZ$8 | + 48% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.89 (NZ$8) | NZ$3.37 | + 142% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.20 (NZ$3.67) | NZ$4.03 | - 9% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $29 (NZ$48) | NZ$39 | + 23% | |
| Entertainment | + 1% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is about the same as in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $57 (NZ$95) | NZ$83 | + 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 (NZ$48) | NZ$39 | + 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $234 (NZ$390) | NZ$136 | + 186% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $92 (NZ$153) | NZ$116 | + 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (NZ$24) | NZ$20 | + 17% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.40 (NZ$9) | NZ$5.78 | + 56% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (NZ$11) | NZ$12 | - 5% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $558 (NZ$931) | NZ$1,278 | - 27% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.20 (NZ$0.33) | NZ$0.44 | - 25% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $61 (NZ$101) | NZ$72 | + 40% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (NZ$17) | NZ$39 | - 55% | |
| TOTAL | + 21% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.668
NZD
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,670 prices entered by 2,852 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 21% more expensive than in New Zealand
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