Cost of Living Comparison Between Australia and New Zealand 
| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in New Zealand is 15.3% lower than in Australia (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in New Zealand is 17.9% lower than in Australia | |
| Rent Prices in New Zealand are 24.8% lower than in Australia | |
| Restaurant Prices in New Zealand are 15.5% lower than in Australia | |
| Groceries Prices in New Zealand are 17.6% lower than in Australia | |
| Local Purchasing Power in New Zealand is 12.5% lower than in Australia | |
Restaurants | Australia Edit |
New Zealand Edit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant |
A$25.00 (NZ$30.33) |
A$20.61 (NZ$25.00) |
-17.6 % |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) |
A$120.00 (NZ$145.57) |
A$99.75 (NZ$121.00) |
-16.9 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) |
A$15.00 (NZ$18.20) |
A$13.19 (NZ$16.00) |
-12.1 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) |
A$11.00 (NZ$13.34) |
A$9.89 (NZ$12.00) |
-10.1 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) |
A$11.00 (NZ$13.34) |
A$9.89 (NZ$12.00) |
-10.1 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) |
A$5.61 (NZ$6.80) |
A$4.87 (NZ$5.91) |
-13.1 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) |
A$4.11 (NZ$4.99) |
A$3.15 (NZ$3.82) |
-23.4 % |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) |
A$3.35 (NZ$4.07) |
A$2.90 (NZ$3.52) |
-13.6 % |
Markets | Australia Edit |
New Zealand Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) |
A$2.49 (NZ$3.02) |
A$2.58 (NZ$3.13) |
+3.7 % |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) |
A$3.52 (NZ$4.27) |
A$2.43 (NZ$2.95) |
-30.8 % |
| White Rice (1 lb) |
A$1.45 (NZ$1.76) |
A$1.16 (NZ$1.41) |
-19.6 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) |
A$7.22 (NZ$8.75) |
A$8.86 (NZ$10.74) |
+22.7 % |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) |
A$6.38 (NZ$7.74) |
A$5.43 (NZ$6.58) |
-14.9 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
A$5.95 (NZ$7.22) |
A$6.07 (NZ$7.37) |
+2.0 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) |
A$9.70 (NZ$11.76) |
A$9.11 (NZ$11.05) |
-6.1 % |
| Apples (1 lb) |
A$2.38 (NZ$2.88) |
A$1.82 (NZ$2.21) |
-23.4 % |
| Bananas (1 lb) |
A$1.94 (NZ$2.36) |
A$1.40 (NZ$1.70) |
-28.0 % |
| Oranges (1 lb) |
A$2.06 (NZ$2.49) |
A$1.92 (NZ$2.33) |
-6.5 % |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
A$3.14 (NZ$3.81) |
A$3.13 (NZ$3.79) |
-0.5 % |
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
A$1.80 (NZ$2.18) |
A$1.31 (NZ$1.59) |
-27.2 % |
| Onions (1 lb) |
A$1.51 (NZ$1.83) |
A$1.01 (NZ$1.22) |
-33.4 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) |
A$3.46 (NZ$4.19) |
A$3.07 (NZ$3.73) |
-11.1 % |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) |
A$2.45 (NZ$2.97) |
A$1.51 (NZ$1.83) |
-38.4 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
A$20.00 (NZ$24.26) |
A$13.19 (NZ$16.00) |
-34.1 % |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) |
A$6.83 (NZ$8.29) |
A$4.46 (NZ$5.41) |
-34.8 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) |
A$7.32 (NZ$8.88) |
A$4.95 (NZ$6.00) |
-32.4 % |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) |
A$50.40 (NZ$61.14) |
A$34.62 (NZ$42.00) |
-31.3 % |
Transportation | Australia Edit |
New Zealand Edit | |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) |
A$4.40 (NZ$5.34) |
A$2.89 (NZ$3.50) |
-34.4 % |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) |
A$131.62 (NZ$159.66) |
A$164.87 (NZ$200.00) |
+25.3 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) |
A$5.00 (NZ$6.07) |
A$3.30 (NZ$4.00) |
-34.1 % |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) |
A$3.69 (NZ$4.47) |
A$4.35 (NZ$5.28) |
+18.1 % |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) |
A$56.52 (NZ$68.56) |
A$46.99 (NZ$57.00) |
-16.9 % |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) |
A$1.85 (NZ$2.24) |
A$2.35 (NZ$2.86) |
+27.4 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) |
A$40,000.00 (NZ$48,522.65) |
A$37,087.83 (NZ$44,990.00) |
-7.3 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) |
A$40,134.04 (NZ$48,685.24) |
A$34,390.98 (NZ$41,718.54) |
-14.3 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Australia Edit |
New Zealand Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) |
A$283.02 (NZ$343.32) |
A$218.94 (NZ$265.59) |
-22.6 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) |
A$41.14 (NZ$49.90) |
A$46.67 (NZ$56.61) |
+13.4 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) |
A$82.26 (NZ$99.79) |
A$71.92 (NZ$87.24) |
-12.6 % |
Sports And Leisure | Australia Edit |
New Zealand Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership |
A$78.20 (NZ$94.86) |
A$51.17 (NZ$62.07) |
-34.6 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) |
A$26.86 (NZ$32.58) |
A$21.24 (NZ$25.77) |
-20.9 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) |
A$21.00 (NZ$25.47) |
A$16.49 (NZ$20.00) |
-21.5 % |
Childcare | Australia Edit |
New Zealand Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child |
A$3,048.25 (NZ$3,697.73) |
A$1,249.47 (NZ$1,515.69) |
-59.0 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child |
A$24,855.93 (NZ$30,151.89) |
A$24,519.88 (NZ$29,744.24) |
-1.4 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Australia Edit |
New Zealand Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) |
A$111.52 (NZ$135.28) |
A$98.29 (NZ$119.24) |
-11.9 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) |
A$76.97 (NZ$93.37) |
A$52.75 (NZ$63.99) |
-31.5 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
A$160.04 (NZ$194.14) |
A$133.31 (NZ$161.71) |
-16.7 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes |
A$173.83 (NZ$210.86) |
A$167.35 (NZ$203.01) |
-3.7 % |
Rent Per Month | Australia Edit |
New Zealand Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre |
A$2,183.84 (NZ$2,649.14) |
A$1,562.58 (NZ$1,895.51) |
-28.4 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre |
A$1,739.41 (NZ$2,110.02) |
A$1,367.60 (NZ$1,658.99) |
-21.4 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre |
A$3,432.28 (NZ$4,163.58) |
A$2,488.52 (NZ$3,018.74) |
-27.5 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre |
A$2,725.60 (NZ$3,306.34) |
A$2,162.22 (NZ$2,622.92) |
-20.7 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Australia Edit |
New Zealand Edit | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
A$972.46 (NZ$1,179.66) |
A$731.45 (NZ$887.30) |
-24.8 % |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
A$724.22 (NZ$878.53) |
A$482.78 (NZ$585.65) |
-33.3 % |
Salaries And Financing | Australia Edit |
New Zealand Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
A$5,748.77 (NZ$6,973.64) |
A$4,127.26 (NZ$5,006.64) |
-28.2 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 5.91 | 6.35 | +7.4 % |
| Last update: | 17 June 2026 | 16 June 2026 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 1033 | 324 | |
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