MigrantoCost of living in New Zealand
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in New Zealand
Spending runs from NZ$1,460 a month in the poorest fifth to NZ$8,770 in the richest
Per person, whole country
NZ$3,420
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
NZ$1,460richest 20%
NZ$8,770
Where people spend money in New Zealand
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in New Zealand in numbers
Housing takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 27.2% of spending here, or NZ$931 a month, against 18.4% in a typical country, 8.8 points more.
The most expensive of its neighbours
Every neighbouring country is cheaper. The same basket costs NZ$2,900 here against NZ$1,680 in Tonga, the closest on price.
Among the most expensive countries in the world
More expensive than 87% of countries. A basket that costs NZ$1,720 at world-middle prices costs NZ$2,900 here.
How living costs in New Zealand compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in New Zealand against other countries
More expensive than 87% of countries
Where New Zealand sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs NZ$1,720 at world-middle prices costs NZ$2,900 here.
Data source: household consumption 2022 (World Bank, regional estimate), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2023 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in New Zealand
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Cost of living in New Zealand
NZ$1,460/mo
vs NZ$1,370 in your country
Take-home
NZ$3,490
vs NZ$2,060 in your country
Potential savings
NZ$2,030
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
A typical person in New Zealand spends about NZ$3,420 a month — around NZ$41,100 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in New Zealand?
By spending, New Zealand ranks #22 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about NZ$3,420 a month, the poorest 20% about NZ$1,460 and the richest 20% about NZ$8,770. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in New Zealand in US dollars?
The cost of living in New Zealand is about $1,996 a month, or roughly $23,952 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in New Zealand?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about NZ$1,460 a month per person, a typical one around NZ$3,420, and a comfortable life around NZ$4,830. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in New Zealand?
The biggest expense is housing, at about NZ$931 a month (27% of spending). Then come transport (NZ$458, 13%) and groceries (NZ$441, 13%).
Is the average salary in New Zealand enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about NZ$3,420 a month, while the average take-home pay in New Zealand is about NZ$5,550. For more on incomes, see salaries in New Zealand.
Is New Zealand an expensive country to live in?
Yes. New Zealand is more expensive than 89% of countries worldwide and ranks 2nd of 11 in Oceania by cost of living.
What currency is used in New Zealand?
New Zealand uses the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
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Living in New Zealand
See the full country overview