What is the Cost of Living in New Zealand

New Zealand is not an expensive country to live in, and you can expect a tuition fee of around NZD 31,844 to NZD 38,213 per annum. Your monthly expenses can come from around NZD 2707 to NZD 3184, which covers your food, accommodation, utilities and other costs. This amount can vary depending on the city in which you live. For instance, if your university is in Auckland, you can expect higher expenses. On the other hand, the expenses will be lower if you live in Christchurch.

What is the average cost of living in New Zealand? Which are the cheapest places to live in New Zealand? If you need answers to these questions, you can read further and get to know more about the average expenses in New Zealand.

Cost of living in New Zealand

New Zealand is a student-friendly country with a beautiful landscape. However, you must plan your finances well if you have to lead a stress-free student life there. You can follow a strict budget to cut down your expenses. You will also get help from scholarships which can even cover your travel and living expenses. It will be helpful to have a list of the expenses handy to get a better idea. A few critical factors you must consider are tuition fees, accommodation and commute expenses. You can read through this blog further to know more.

Cost of Living in New Zealand for Family

If you decide to move to New Zealand, you must remember that your airfare can be a bit high. This is because the country is located far away from most other countries. A family of four members may need to spend around NZD 4500 per month to cover all the living expenses. This can again change on the city in which you live. Groceries in New Zealand tend to be expensive as the country is isolated from the rest of the world. Apart from that, New Zealand is a good place for comfortable living.

Cost of Living in New Zealand Per Month

The monthly cost of living in New Zealand is not easy to estimate. It can depend on your lifestyle, the area you live in, your spending habits etc. Nonetheless, it will be helpful to get an expense handbook. The following table will help you with that.

Cost of Accommodation in New Zealand

The cost of accommodation constitutes the most considerable portion of your total expenses in New Zealand. Most universities provide accommodation to their students; you can take it if you wish. You also have the option to choose off-campus housing. 

The most common types of off-campus housing are given below: 

• Homestay: You can live with a family and get three meals a day prepared by them. The average cost can be around NZD 110 to NZD 370 per week.
• Flat: You can either live in a shared flat or alone. The rent per head will obviously be higher if you live alone. You can expect NZD 215 a week on such stays. If you live independently, the rent can be around NZD 215 to NZD 565 per week.
• Halls of Residence: This is a full-furnished residence with electricity, water, food etc. The weekly cost can be from NZD 300 to NZD 400 per week.

Cost of Utilities in New Zealand

Utilities is again an essential part of the expenses incurred in New Zealand. Paying bills can be tiring, and you may have to spend a lot of money if you do not use them wisely. Given below is a rough monthly breakdown of some expenses. It should be noted that the amount can vary depending on your lifestyle.

• Water: NZD 10 - NZD 20
• Electricity: NZD 50 - NZD 200
• Mobile communication: NZD 10 - NZD 20
• Internet: NZD 40 - NZD 50

Cost of Transportation in New Zealand

New Zealand has good connectivity with all the roads. You will have monthly passes on trains and buses. You also have the option to buy or rent out a cycle. 

The main modes of transportation and their average expenses are given below: 

• Taxi: NZD 3.3 per kilometre
• Ferry: NZD 4.7 - NZD 6.7
• Train: NZD 4 - NZD 11.5
• Bus: NZD 4 - NZD 11.5
• Cycle: NZD 1 per hour

Cost of Food From Restaurants in New Zealand

The fact that New Zealand is an isolated country has added to the increased cost of everything. Dining out can be a bit expensive depending on the restaurant you choose, but it is definitely worth it. The prices of food items vary from one restaurant to another, and it is not easy to fix an amount. A typical breakfast can cost you around NZD 12 to NZD 20, while you may need to spend from NZD 15 to NZD 20 for a decent lunch. The cost of dinner falls somewhere between NZD 30 to NZD 50. If you wish to look for cheaper options, you can choose Korean, Japanese or Chinese restaurants and cuisines. You will also find all the major fast food chains like McDonald's and Burger King.

Cost of Healthcare in New Zealand

Healthcare in New Zealand is a mix of free and paid services. Students under 13 years of age get a free doctor consultation. You have to take an appointment to consult a doctor in most cases. The consultation fee can range from NZD 80 to NZD 120. A lab test can cost around NZD 137, depending on the tests you must take. Depending on the type of surgery, you may have to spend around NZD 47,823. A box of antibiotics can cost around NZD 7. All international students must have health insurance, and the healthcare costs can be lower with an insurance plan.

Cost of Elictricity & Gas in New Zealand

The cost of electricity and gas depends on your usage and the area you live in. if you wish to live within a strict budget, this is one area in which you can limit your use. The power prices in various regions are different as well. For instance, the power price is NZD 27.66 in Dunedin, while the same is NZD 42.97 in Kerikeri. You will have to spend NZD 2 to NZD 4 per litre for gas.

Cost of Clothing in New Zealand

The price of clothing in New Zealand may seem expensive. You will find popular brands like Zara, H&M etc., and you can choose to buy from them or other pocket-friendly brands. A few expensive brands include David Jones and Barkers. On the other hand, Cotton On and Kmart are a few options you can choose for a budget-friendly shopping experience. If you have a shopping spree, you may spend from NZD 100 to NZD 200. You will have to pay around NZD 110 for a pair of jeans and NZD 60 for a dress.

Cost of Housekeeping Supplies in New Zealand

You will have to expect a cost of NZD 100 to NZD 150 for housekeeping supplies in New Zealand. The price depends on your spending habits and where you are from. This is again an area where you can opt for budget-friendly purchases. New Zealand has options for affordable shopping for essential goods.

Cost of Personal Care Products and Services in New Zealand

The cost of personal care products and services depends on the person's spending habits. There are expensive and inexpensive options available, and you can choose the ones that best suit your financial situation. The average monthly spend on personal care products and services can be around NZD 100.

Cost of Living in New Zealand City Wise

You will find a few New Zealand cities more affordable to live in. There are a few smaller cities in the country where almost everything tends to be cheaper. It will be cost-effective for you to settle in these places if your university is located anywhere nearby. 

A few such cities and the average cost of living are given below: 

If you need further assistance on the cost of living in New Zealand or anything else about studying in New Zealand in general, you can contact AECC. We have counsellors and professionals skilled at addressing all your queries and helping you apply to your favourite university. You need not hesitate to contact us anytime.