Auckland is one of the world’s most vibrant and culturally diverse cities. Located in the heart of New Zealand, Auckland is a beacon of opportunity, with both urban bustle and stunning natural beauty. However, in addition to the many charms of living in this vibrant city, it is essential to consider its financial implications. I now offer an accurate and comprehensive look at the cost of living in Auckland, providing potential residents with the information they need to plan their future in this fascinating city.
Cost of Living in Auckland: Daily Life
Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, may have slightly higher daily expenses than other cities. However, it has a unique charm in spending on supermarkets, restaurants, entertainment and clothes. Let’s take a look at the daily expenses in Auckland!
Supermarket
| Markets | Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 3.22 NZ$ |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 3.76 NZ$ |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 3.53 NZ$ |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 11.42 NZ$ |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 15.00 NZ$ |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 17.10 NZ$ |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 22.05 NZ$ |
| Apples (1kg) | 4.82 NZ$ |
| Banana (1kg) | 3.82 NZ$ |
| Oranges (1kg) | 5.14 NZ$ |
| Tomato (1kg) | 10.23 NZ$ |
| Potato (1kg) | 4.18 NZ$ |
| Onion (1kg) | 3.73 NZ$ |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 4.71 NZ$ |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 2.17 NZ$ |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 20.00 NZ$ |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 6.79 NZ$ |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 7.08 NZ$ |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 40.00 NZ$ |
In Auckland, supermarkets have a wide range of goods with good quality. Here are some common supermarket goods and their prices:
Food: Food prices in Auckland are relatively high; for example, a kilo of rice costs around NZD 3 to NZD 5, and a kilo of chicken costs around NZD 5 to NZD 8.
Daily necessities: For example, the prices of daily necessities such as toilet paper and shampoo are also relatively high; a roll of toilet paper costs between NZD 1 and NZD 2, and a bottle of shampoo costs between NZD 3 and NZD 5.
Restaurants
In Auckland, a wide range of restaurants, from street food to fine dining. Below are some everyday restaurant dishes and their prices:
The burger costs around NZD 8 to NZD 15, depending on the restaurant and the burger’s toppings.
Pasta: A pasta dish costs around NZ$12 to NZ$20, depending on the restaurant and the type of toppings.
Steak: The steak price ranges from about NZ$25 to NZ$50, depending on the type of steak, its weight, and the class of the restaurant.
 Restaurants |
Price |
|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 25.00 NZ$ |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 130.00 NZ$ |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 18.00 NZ$ |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 12.00 NZ$ |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 13.00 NZ$ |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 5.97 NZ$ |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 4.57 NZ$ |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 4.05 NZ$ |
Entertainment
Entertainment in Auckland is equally varied. Here are some everyday entertainment activities and their prices:
Cinema: A movie ticket costs around NZ$12 to NZ$18, depending on the type of movie and the theatre where it is shown.
Gym: A monthly pass to a gym costs around NZ$30 to NZ$100, depending on the grade of the gym and the facilities offered.
Concerts or theatre performances: A ticket costs around NZ$20 to NZ$100, depending on the class of performance and the location of the seats.
Clothing Consumption
| Clothing And Shoes | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 138.00 NZ$ |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) | 79.33 NZ$ |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 191.92 NZ$ |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | 209.52 NZ$ |
Clothes are relatively expensive in Auckland, but there are some shopping places where you can find good quality clothes at reasonable prices. Here are some typical prices for clothes and shoes:
T-shirt: An expected t-shirt costs around NZD 10 to NZD 30, depending on the brand and quality.
Jeans: A pair of jeans can cost between NZ$30 and NZ$70, depending on the brand and quality.
Shoes: Regular trainers or casual shoes can cost around NZD 20 to NZD 60, depending on the brand and style.
Mobile Networks
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 63.54 NZ$ |
|---|---|
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 89.47 NZ$ |
Phone package costs and internet costs in Auckland vary by carrier and package type. Here is some standard information:
Phone Package Costs
The leading telecom operators in Auckland are Vodafone and 2 Degrees. These operators offer various phone packages to suit different users. Some of the standard phone packages are listed below:
Vodafone Packages: Vodafone offers many package options, including prepaid and postpaid packages. The prepaid packages cost between NZD 20 and NZD 50 per month, while the postpaid packages cost depending on the usage of the subscriber.
2 Degrees Packages: 2 Degrees also offers a wide range of package options that cost between NZD 15 and NZD 60 per month.
Internet Costs
There are a number of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Auckland, including TelstraClear, Spark New Zealand, Vodafone and 2 Degrees. The leading broadband services these providers offer are ADSL, fibre optic and wireless broadband. The cost of some standard internet packages is listed below:
ADSL package: Costs between NZD 30 and NZD 80 per month, with speeds generally ranging from 8Mbps to 24Mbps.
Fibre Optic Package: Monthly costs between N50 and N150, with speeds generally between 20Mbps and 100Mbps.
Wireless Broadband Package: Costs between NZD 50 and NZD 200 per month, with speeds generally between 5Mbps and 20Mbps.
Cost of Living in Auckland: Transport
| Transportation | Price |
|---|---|
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 4.00 NZ$ |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 215.00 NZ$ |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 4.00 NZ$ |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 3.50 NZ$ |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 60.00 NZ$ |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 2.91 NZ$ |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | 46,000.00 NZ$ |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | 35,065.45 NZ$ |
There are various modes of transport available in Auckland, and the cost of each mode of transportation varies slightly. Here are some standard modes of transport and their costs:
Bus: Auckland has a well-developed bus system with extensive route coverage. A single ticket usually costs between NZD 3 and NZD 5, a one-day pass costs NZD 12 and a three-day pass costs NZD 32.
Train: Auckland’s train system connects the city with the surrounding area. A single ticket generally costs between NZD 5 and NZD 10, a day pass costs NZD 18, and a three-day pass costs NZD 46.
Taxis: Taxis are plentiful in Auckland but relatively expensive. Generally, the starting price is NZD 2.50, after which they are billed according to time and distance. And the cost is typically between NZD 10 and NZD 30 when they arrive at their destination.
Bicycle Sharing: Auckland also has a bicycle-sharing service to make it easier for people to get around. Generally speaking, the cost of a shared bike ranges from NZD 0.50 to NZD 1 per half hour, depending on the bike-sharing company used and the billing method.
Travelling by car: If you choose to travel by car, consider the cost of car hire and fuel. The cost of hiring a vehicle varies depending on the model of the car and the car hire company, but broadly speaking. Hiring a car costs between NZD 50 and NZD 100 per day. The fuel cost also varies depending on the fuel price and the car’s model but generally ranges from NZD 1 to NZD 1.50 per litre.
Cost of Living in Auckland: Education
Below are the costs of education at various universities in Auckland:
University of Auckland
Tuition Fee: Depending on the discipline and specialisation, the tuition fee for a year ranges from approximately NZD 24,480 to NZD 39,000.
Auckland University of Technology
Tuition Fee: The annual tuition fee is between NZD 24,000 and NZD 35,000.
Massey University
Tuition fees: yearly tuition fees are between NZ$25,000 and NZ$35,000.
Lincoln University, Auckland:
Tuition fees: annual tuition fees are between NZ$25,000 and NZ$35,000.
Auckland Bible College:
Tuition: Annual tuition fees are approximately between NZ$24,000 and NZ$35,000
Cost of Living in Auckland: Accommodation
Accommodation costs in Auckland vary depending on the type of accommodation and location. Below is some information on standard accommodation fees and utility costs:
| Rent Per Month | Price |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 2,262.75 NZ$ |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 2,098.48 NZ$ |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 4,359.10 NZ$ |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 3,425.00 NZ$ |
On-campus Accommodation
The University of Auckland offers a wide choice of on-campus accommodation, including standard rooms, suites and apartment-style accommodation. The cost of a standard room ranges from approximately $5,000 – $10,000 per year, depending on the residence building and room type. Suites and apartment-style accommodations are relatively more expensive, ranging from roughly $8,000-$15,000 per year. These costs include basic furniture such as beds, desks, chairs, and utilities.
Homestay
For some international students, a homestay is a good option. Host families provide room and board, typically costing between $350-600 per week, depending on the family and location. These costs include rent, three meals a day, and utilities.
Renting a Flat or House
The rent for a flat or house in Auckland city is relatively high, usually costing between US$2,000-4,000 per month. The rent is relatively low in the suburbs or areas where students gather, between 1500 and 3000 USD per month. These costs do not include utilities, which must be paid according to usage.
Utilities
Utilities in Auckland are billed according to usage, generally between $100-300 per month. The exact cost depends on the type of house, geographical location and actual usage.
FAQ
Auckland generally has a higher cost of living compared to other cities in New Zealand. Housing, transportation, and certain goods and services may be more expensive in Auckland due to its larger population and higher demand.
The cost of accommodation in Auckland can vary depending on factors such as location, size, and quality. On average, renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can cost around NZD 2,000 to NZD 3,000 per month, while outside the city center, it can range from NZD 1,500 to NZD 2,200 per month.
Auckland has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trains, and ferries. Monthly public transport passes can range from NZD 130 to NZD 220, depending on the zones covered. If you own a car, consider factoring in fuel, parking, and vehicle maintenance expenses.
Depending on your preferences, dining out in Auckland can range from affordable to high-end. On average, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can cost around NZD 15 to NZD 25 per person, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant can range from NZD 80 to NZD 120.
In addition to accommodation, transportation, groceries, and utilities, it’s important to consider other expenses such as internet and phone plans, insurance, entertainment, and personal expenses. These will vary based on individual preferences and lifestyle choices.
