The cost of living in New Zealand

In addition to its incredible landscapes, New Zealand offers an undeniable quality of life. Auckland is regularly named one of the world’s top 10 most liveable cities (9th according to The Economist in 2024; a slight improvement from its ranking at number 10 in 2023).

Generally speaking, the cost of living in New Zealand is not as high as in Australia, even if Auckland and Wellington remain among the top 100 most expensive cities in the world. However, salaries are also lower than in Australia.

This guide will help you estimate the budget you’ll need for your first few months in New Zealand, and perhaps also help you choose your starting destination based on the cost of living in different New Zealand cities.

All the figures are, of course, averages and approximations (all figures are in New Zealand dollars). The cost of living in different New Zealand cities varies according to your lifestyle, whether you like to dine out or cook your own food, your ability to find good deals, the salary you earn, etc. Bear in mind that a working holiday maker who’s just arrived will have to be patient and probably work some odd jobs at minimum wage before they can work their way up to a good salary.