Living in New Zealand: Cost of Living and Housing Options (2024)

March 29, 2023

Living in New Zealand: Cost of Living and Housing Options (1)

Many people want to study, work & live abroad. New Zealand, a beautiful island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is a popular destination for people looking to move to a new country. The country is known for its breath-taking scenery, friendly people, and excellent quality of life. However, before moving to New Zealand, it’s essential to understand the cost of living and housing options available.

Cost of Living in New Zealand:

New Zealand is known for its breathtaking scenery, unique culture and high quality of life. The cost of living in New Zealand is relatively low compared to other countries, with basic food items such as milk, bread and eggs being cheaper than in most countries. Rent is also generally inexpensive, although rents in bigger cities can be higher compared to other parts of the country. Utilities such as electricity and gas are generally affordable, with prices comparable to developing countries. Overall, New Zealand offers a great quality of life for those looking for an affordable place to live.

Housing Options in New Zealand:

New Zealand offers a wide range of housing options, from apartments in the city to rural homes with acreage. The type of housing you choose will depend on your budget, lifestyle, and location preference.

Apartments:

Apartments are the most common housing option in the cities, and they’re generally more affordable than standalone homes. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in Auckland, for example, can cost between $1,500 to $2,000 per month, depending on the location and quality of the apartment.

Houses:

Stand-alone houses are more expensive than apartments, but they offer more space and privacy. The cost of buying a house in New Zealand varies depending on the location, size, and quality of the home. According to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, the national median house price is $850,000.

Rural Homes:

New Zealand has plenty of options if you’re looking for a quieter, more rural lifestyle. Rural homes with acreage are available throughout the country and are generally less expensive than homes in the city. The cost of a rural home will depend on the location and size of the property.

International students have options like student hostels, homestay (living with a New Zealand family in their home), flatting (renting a house or an apartment) on your own or having flat-mates.

Cost of Renting a House or Apartment:

The rent cost in New Zealand largely depends on the location. Rent in New Zealand is calculated weekly. The average rent in New Zealand is approximately NZD 400 a week for a small home (one or two bedrooms) and NZD 530 for a two- or four-bedroom apartment or house. The most expensive city is Auckland, with rent costing between NZD 600 and NZD 850 a week, depending on the size of the accommodation.

Moving to New Zealand can be a great decision, but it’s essential to understand the cost of living and housing options before moving. With proper research and planning, you can find the perfect home in New Zealand that suits your needs and budget.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at [emailprotected] or call on +64 09 3790219.

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Living in New Zealand: Cost of Living and Housing Options (2)

Vandana Rai

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Vandana Rai is a Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser and has built a reputation around her rare set of skills, which could be considered ideal for her legal profession.

Living in New Zealand: Cost of Living and Housing Options (2024)

FAQs

Living in New Zealand: Cost of Living and Housing Options? ›

Average monthly expenses for a single person in New Zealand are between USD$815-$1,000 excluding rent. For a family of four, USD$2,950-$3,600 per month. Rent in major cities like Auckland or Wellington ranging from USD$1,190-$1,450 per month for one-bedroom apartments and $2,150 to $2,650 per month for three bedrooms.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in New Zealand? ›

Monthly expenses can vary widely, but generally you need around $3000-4000 a month to live in New Zealand.

How much does housing cost in New Zealand? ›

The average house price in New Zealand is $930,495 as at Mar 2024. Over the last 12 months this has decreased by 0.19%. Want to see the most recent numbers for your specific council area? You can find the data for every single part of New Zealand in the table below.

How much is rent a month in New Zealand? ›

How much is the rent in New Zealand? Monthly, a one-bedroom apartment in a city center would cost on average 1,500 NZD (990 USD), and 1,200 NZD (790 USD) outside the center. A three-bedroom apartment would usually cost 2,500 NZD (1650 USD) in the center, and 2,000 NZD (1,320 USD) outside the city center.

Can I afford to move to New Zealand? ›

The good news is that the cost of housing in New Zealand is much lower than that in Europe and America: New Zealand's biggest city, Auckland, ranked 95th in Mercer's Cost of Living Survey 2022, with Wellington, the capital city, ranking in 120th place.

Is $100,000 a good salary in New Zealand? ›

In 2023, the median annual salary/wage, from IRD data, was around $54,000, making a $100,000 salary only 1.9 times the median.” NZ Council of Trade Unions policy director Craig Renney said whether $100,000 was a lot would depend on the context.

Is 70k a good salary in New Zealand? ›

New data has found New Zealand's average salary has reached a new high, with every region seeing an increase. According to Trade Me, this is the first time the average salary in Aotearoa has crossed the $70,000 mark.

Is healthcare free in New Zealand? ›

Overview. New Zealand's healthcare system comprises of public, private, and voluntary sectors. Around 85% of New Zealand's healthcare is government funded. New Zealand citizens receive free or subsidized healthcare.

Can a US citizen move to New Zealand? ›

Can you move to New Zealand as a U.S. citizen? Yes. You can apply for a range of visa options, largely for temporary, part-time, or full-time jobs. You can also apply for a residence visa if you want to move near family in New Zealand or if you've worked in the country for a while and want to settle there permanently.

Are groceries expensive in New Zealand? ›

New Zealand experienced a 56 percent increase in the cost of a food basket, with the price in 2023 coming in at NZ$78.32 compared with NZ$50.16 in 2022.

Can a foreigner rent in New Zealand? ›

For all people coming to New Zealand on a work visa, you will have the option to rent, weekly, before you become a resident and commit to purchasing a house.

How much is a gallon of milk in New Zealand? ›

Cost of Living in New Zealand
RestaurantsEdit
Water (12 oz small bottle)3.32NZ$
MarketsEdit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon)11.54NZ$
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)3.00NZ$
62 more rows

What is the minimum wage in New Zealand? ›

The adult minimum wage is now $23.15 per hour, effective 1 April 2024. The training and starting-out minimum wages have also increased to $18.52 from the previous rate of $18.16 per hour, which is 80% of the adult minimum wage.

Can I move to New Zealand without a job offer? ›

This is likely to depend on how long you want to stay, whether your skills are in demand in New Zealand, and if you are moving with your family. You'll likely need a job offer before applying for your visa.

Is it hard to live in New Zealand as a foreigner? ›

Feeling at home in New Zealand is not difficult. You will find New Zealanders to be friendly and sociable, so integrating in the community should be easy. The country has a notable appreciation for nature and specific mealtimes, around which most social interactions happen.

Is it worth relocating to New Zealand? ›

Yes, New Zealand is indeed a great place to live with a high quality of life, safety, and plentiful outdoor activities, along with friendly people and a relaxed lifestyle.

Is 60000 dollars a good salary in New Zealand? ›

$60,000 per annum in New Zealand would be enough for a single person to live modestly but a couple or family living on that income may struggle.

Is 250K a good salary in New Zealand? ›

I'll assume that you did, in which case NZ$250K is a very good salary indeed in NZ.

How much money do you need to retire comfortably in New Zealand? ›

Another commonly used rule of thumb is 60% of your pre-retirement income. If you earned an annual income of $75,000 per year, you might expect to spend around $45,000 per year ($862 per week) in retirement. NZ Super can also supplement your KiwiSaver withdrawals, providing well over half of the more frugal budget.

What is the average income of someone who lives in New Zealand? ›

According to the latest figures, the average salary in New Zealand per month is 8,200 NZD or 97,300 NZD per year. As of 2023, the gross minimum salary in New Zealand is 21.20 NZD per hour. Salaries range from 24,600 NZD to 434,000 NZD per year and include housing, transport, and other benefits.

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