Cost of living in New Zealand: how to budget for rent, food, transport, health care and bills
How much it costs to live in New Zealand depends mostly on where you live: houses in big cities like Auckland and Wellington cost much more than in smaller places like Invercargill. Rent is usually charged weekly, and the bond can be up to 4 weeks' rent. To work out your costs, add up housing, food, transport, health care and utilities. Immigration New Zealand asks student visa applicants to show at least NZ$20,000 a year for living costs (tuition is extra), which is a useful official benchmark.
Key facts
- How rent is charged
- Usually weekly. The bond can be up to 4 weeks' rent1
- Big cities and smaller places
- Houses in big cities like Auckland and Wellington cost much more than in smaller places like Invercargill. Prices and rents also depend on size, suburb and type of home1
- Checking typical rents
- The Tenancy Services Market rent tool shows weekly rents by area, property type and number of bedrooms (lower quartile, median and upper quartile). It is updated monthly using bond information from the previous 6 months (not including the most recent month)3
- Tipping and tax
- Tipping is not common in New Zealand, and menu prices include GST (goods and services tax)1
- Costs of running a car
- Petrol or electricity, warrant of fitness, vehicle registration and driver licence fees. Car insurance is not compulsory, but at least third party insurance is recommended1
- Health care
- For most people with resident visas who live in New Zealand, health and disability services are funded. People on temporary visas may still get some services in some situations. If you are not eligible, you can still use health services, but you will need to pay1
- Water charges when you rent
- The landlord pays any fixed charge for wastewater. The tenant pays any metered water charges1
- Student visa living costs (tertiary, English language and similar study)
- Studying for 1 year or more: NZ$20,000 a year. Studying for less than 1 year: NZ$1,667 a month. Tuition fees are extra2
- Student visa living costs (school, years 1–13)
- Studying for 1 year or more: NZ$17,000 a year. Studying for less than 1 year: NZ$1,417 a month2
Who is this for, and what are the requirements?
- Newcomers planning a move to New Zealand (skilled migrants, international students, work visa holders and families) who want to estimate their living costs.
- People already in New Zealand who are moving city, looking for a rental, or working out a monthly budget.
How do I do it? Steps and process
- Decide where and how you will live
Where you live makes the biggest difference: big cities cost more than smaller places, and within a city it depends on the suburb, size and type of home. When you first arrive, you may share a house or flat with other people. If you are bringing a partner or family, keep in mind that at first you may only be able to rent a single room in a shared house.
- Check typical rents
Use the Market rent tool on the Tenancy Services website. Enter an area and look at the median weekly rent and the range for each property type (apartment, house, room and so on) and number of bedrooms. Rent is charged weekly, and you will usually pay a bond of up to 4 weeks' rent when you sign.
- Budget for food
Most areas have a supermarket nearby. Dairies (convenience stores) sell basic groceries, and smaller supermarkets sell organic, discounted or international food; prices depend on where products come from and what is available. Food delivery is common in big cities but usually costs more than buying from the restaurant directly. Many restaurants put their menus and prices online.
- Budget for transport
Most regions have a transport card, which is usually cheaper than paying cash, with discounts for students, seniors, children and people with disabilities. Some cities offer monthly passes. If you drive, budget for petrol or electricity, a warrant of fitness (WoF), vehicle registration and driver licence fees as well as the car itself. Car insurance is not compulsory, but at least third party insurance is recommended. If you borrow money to buy a car, the lender will require full insurance.
- Budget for health care
Check whether you are eligible for publicly funded health care on the Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website. If you are not eligible, you will need to pay for health care, and Immigration New Zealand recommends getting medical insurance in your home country before you travel. Private health care is also available.
- Budget for water, power and internet
Water is usually provided by the local council, and the cost varies by region. Your power bill depends on how much you use, your home and the type of energy (electricity, gas or LPG); some companies offer power and internet together, so compare providers. Internet costs depend on the type of connection (broadband, fibre or wireless) and your use; most providers offer unlimited data priced by speed, and many mobile plans include internet.
What should I watch out for?
- Goods imported from your home country may cost more in New Zealand because of long distances and low demand. Goods made in New Zealand, or imported from nearby countries like Australia, may cost less.
- Generally, only residents and citizens can buy homes in New Zealand. See our guide on buying a home.
- The student visa living cost amount is what you must show for your visa, not what you will actually spend. Your real costs depend on the city you live in and your lifestyle.
- If you buy a car with a loan, the lender will require it to be fully insured when you take ownership.
- This page summarises public information. Always check the Immigration New Zealand and Tenancy Services websites for the official details.
Common questions
How much does it cost to live in New Zealand each month?
There is no single official figure; it depends on where you live and your lifestyle. Immigration New Zealand asks student visa applicants to show at least NZ$20,000 a year for living costs (NZ$1,667 a month for study under 1 year), with tuition extra, which is a useful benchmark. To estimate your own costs, add up housing, food, transport, health care and utilities.
How is rent charged in New Zealand, and how much is the bond?
Rent is usually charged weekly, and the bond can be up to 4 weeks' rent. Rent depends on the size, suburb, region and type of home. Many newcomers share a house or flat at first.
Is Auckland much more expensive than smaller towns?
Housing is the big difference: houses in big cities like Auckland and Wellington cost much more than in smaller places like Invercargill. To see typical rents in a particular area, use the Tenancy Services Market rent tool.
How can I check typical rents in a suburb?
Use the Market rent tool on the Tenancy Services website. Enter an area to see the median weekly rent and the range for each property type and number of bedrooms. It is updated monthly using bond information from the previous 6 months (not including the most recent month).
Do I need to tip in New Zealand? Do menu prices include tax?
Tipping is not common in New Zealand, and menu prices already include GST (goods and services tax). Many restaurants put their menus and prices online, so you can check before you go.
What does it cost to run a car in New Zealand? Is car insurance compulsory?
As well as the car itself, budget for petrol or electricity, a warrant of fitness (WoF), vehicle registration and driver licence fees. Car insurance is not compulsory, but at least third party insurance is recommended. If you buy the car with a loan, the lender will require full insurance.
Do I have to pay to see a doctor on a temporary visa?
It depends on whether you are eligible for publicly funded health care. Most people with resident visas who live in New Zealand are funded, while people on temporary visas may get some services only in some situations. If you are not eligible, you can still see a doctor but you will need to pay, so Immigration New Zealand recommends medical insurance from your home country.
If I rent, who pays for water, power and internet?
For water, the landlord pays any fixed wastewater charge and the tenant pays metered water charges. Power costs depend on your use, your home and the type of energy, and internet costs depend on the connection and speed. Compare providers; some offer power and internet together.
Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.
Where can I check the official information?
- Cost of living in New ZealandImmigration New Zealand · immigration.govt.nz
- Student fund requirementsImmigration New Zealand · immigration.govt.nz
- Market rentTenancy Services (MBIE) · tenancy.govt.nz
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