Cost of living in United States compared to New Zealand
Currency:
| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 11% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (NZ$34) | NZ$25 | + 34% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (NZ$20) | NZ$17 | + 17% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.40 (NZ$9) | NZ$9 | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.05 (NZ$1.78) | NZ$2.57 | - 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.41 (NZ$7) | NZ$11 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.46 (NZ$8) | NZ$9 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (NZ$12) | NZ$9 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.91 (NZ$7) | NZ$4.91 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.03 (NZ$3.44) | NZ$4.07 | - 15% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.85 (NZ$7) | NZ$7 | - 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 (NZ$30) | NZ$18 | + 60% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.85 (NZ$4.84) | NZ$4.43 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.58 (NZ$4.38) | NZ$2.81 | + 56% | |
| Housing | + 28% | |||
| Housing in United States is 28% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,854 (NZ$4,842) | NZ$3,942 | + 23% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,117 (NZ$3,593) | NZ$3,266 | + 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $221 (NZ$375) | NZ$217 | + 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,053 (NZ$3,483) | NZ$2,548 | + 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,518 (NZ$2,575) | NZ$2,173 | + 19% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $156 (NZ$265) | NZ$156 | + 70% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $60 (NZ$102) | NZ$87 | + 17% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $264 (NZ$449) | NZ$598 | - 25% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $146 (NZ$247) | NZ$187 | + 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (NZ$24) | NZ$20 | + 19% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $32 (NZ$55) | NZ$34 | + 61% | |
| Clothes | - 9% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 9% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $57 (NZ$96) | NZ$142 | - 32% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $54 (NZ$92) | NZ$92 | - 0% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $102 (NZ$173) | NZ$197 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $139 (NZ$236) | NZ$216 | + 9% | |
| Transportation | - 23% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 23% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $29,797 (NZ$50,562) | NZ$46,501 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.94 (NZ$1.60) | NZ$2.77 | - 42% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (NZ$135) | NZ$185 | - 27% | |
| Personal Care | + 90% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 90% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (NZ$15) | NZ$15 | + 2% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $23 (NZ$39) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $167 (NZ$284) | NZ$60 | + 376% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (NZ$15) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.98 (NZ$8) | NZ$5.91 | + 43% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (NZ$11) | NZ$8 | + 38% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.90 (NZ$8) | NZ$2.72 | + 206% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.33 (NZ$3.96) | NZ$3.49 | + 13% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $29 (NZ$49) | NZ$38 | + 30% | |
| Entertainment | + 18% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 18% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| United States | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $60 (NZ$101) | NZ$82 | + 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 (NZ$49) | NZ$42 | + 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $232 (NZ$393) | NZ$255 | + 54% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $101 (NZ$171) | NZ$133 | + 29% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (NZ$24) | NZ$20 | + 24% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.81 (NZ$10) | NZ$5.92 | + 67% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (NZ$12) | NZ$13 | - 6% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $487 (NZ$827) | NZ$1,174 | - 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.48 (NZ$0.81) | NZ$0.51 | + 59% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $65 (NZ$109) | NZ$66 | + 66% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (NZ$17) | NZ$40 | - 56% | |
| TOTAL | + 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 22, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.697
NZD
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 18,274 prices entered by 2,232 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 8% more expensive than in New Zealand
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