Cost of Living in Auckland: What To Expect in 2024
Planning on moving to Auckland? Then you’ll want to know how much it’s going to cost you to live there. In this article, we’ll guide you through everything that you need to know about the cost of living in Auckland, so you can be ready when the time comes!
To live in Auckland as a student, you will need between NZ$1,600 to NZ$2,400 a month (not including your uni fees). A working single needs approximately NZ$5,000 a month, a couple needs NZ$5,600 to NZ$8,000, and a family needs NZ$7,500 and NZ$10,000 a month, including rent and food.
Auckland is the most expensive place to live in New Zealand, and having enough budget is crucial for an enjoyable life in this amazing city! That said, your living expenses are going to be different depending on your current situation. Auckland can also be done on a budget.
So, let’s dive into our comprehensive guide, where we will discuss everything from the average salary in Auckland to how Auckland’s cost of living compares to other cities like Sydney. This way, you can land in the City of Sails fully equipped with the right budget!
How expensive is living in Auckland?
In Auckland, the general monthly cost of living is between NZ$4,000 and up to NZ$7,000 per person a month, depending on your lifestyle.
Before we break down exactly how much everything costs when you are living in Auckland, let’s highlight a few key numbers to keep in mind! The general cost of living in Auckland includes a number of moving parts like rent, food, transportation, leisure, and dining out at your favorite restaurants.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly rent, depending on the number of bedrooms | From NZ$2,177 and NZ$4,439 |
| Average house price (2023) | NZ$1,000,000 |
| Monthly bills and utilities (including internet) | NZ$340 a month |
| Mobile | NZ$50 – NZ$80 a month |
| Grocery bills | NZ$300 – 400 per week |
| A meal out for two people at a mid-range restaurant | NZ$120 |
| Simple meal for one | NZ$25 |
| Transportation, petrol | NZ$2,91 per liter |
| Transportation, one ticket | NZ$4 |
| Transportation, monthly public transport pass | NZ$215 |
| Car insurance | NZ$400 – 800 per year |
| Sports and leisure | NZ$150 |
Here are some examples of food prices in 2023 (they have been soaring due to inflation):
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 liter) | NZ$3.37 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | NZ$3.62 |
| Rice (1kg) | NZ$3.55 |
| Eggs (12) | NZ$10.98 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | NZ$17.32 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | NZ$16.96 |
| Beef (1kg) | NZ$23.04 |
| Apples (1kg) | NZ$5 |
| Banana (1kg) | NZ$4 |
| Oranges (1kg) | NZ$5.00 |
| Tomato (1kg) | NZ$10 – 14 |
| Potato (1kg) | NZ$4.25 |
| Onion (1kg) | NZ$3.37 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | NZ$4.94 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | NZ$2.19 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | NZ$18.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | NZ$6.30 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | NZ$6.59 |
Rent prices in Auckland
If you are renting, it will take the majority of your budget when living in Auckland. Auckland’s median rent averages around NZ$695 weekly as of 2023. The New Zealand nationwide median rent is NZ$610 per week as of May 2023.
In Auckland, a typical rent varies between NZ$600 – NZ$700 weekly. Rents in Auckland vary by suburb. Below is the average rent in Auckland depending on the accommodation type:
| City | Apartment | Townhouse | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | NZ$570 | NZ$700 | NZ$530 |
A studio in Auckland’s CBD could set you back an average of NZ$495 – NZ$520 weekly. This type of accommodation is perfect for young professionals and students. If you require more space, one-bedroom apartments range around NZ$570 weekly.
For those with family, two-bedroom homes average NZ$700 per week, while three-bedroom properties may hover around NZ$750 – 800.
Ponsonby, known for its hipster vibe, could be a tad pricier but offers an engaging cultural scene. Rents in Ponsonby might range from NZ$530 for a studio to NZ$800 for a three-bedroom house. Mount Eden balances accessibility and suburban charm.
North Shore’s beaches appeal to many. In contrast, the North Shore offers a broad range from NZ$500 for a studio to NZ$700 for three bedrooms.
Suburbs in South Auckland, like Manukau, offer affordability and robust local communities. Manukau’s range typically falls between NZ$450 for a studio and NZ$600 for a three-bedroom property.
In New Zealand, we pay rent weekly, plus there is a mandatory deposit due when moving in. It’s called a bond. The amount of the deposit is usually equal to four weekly rents. Landlords can’t charge more than that.
House prices in Auckland
If you are thinking of buying a house, the median house price across Auckland is NZ$1,000,000 as of June 2023 statistics. Here are average house prices across various suburbs in Auckland as of 2023:
| Suburb | Price (NZ$) | Price (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| Wellsford | 1,425,721 | 913,816 |
| Eden Terrace | 1,418,157 | 908,968 |
| Manukau | 1,193,540 | 765,000 |
| City Centre | 851,860 | 546,000 |
| Newmarket | 1,416,561 | 907,945 |
| Waiuku | 1,406,460 | 901,471 |
| Randwick Park | 1,399,731 | 897,158 |
| Tuakau | 1,398,968 | 896,669 |
| Clendon Park | 1,382,617 | 886,189 |
| Henderson Valley | 1,354,910 | 868,430 |
Areas with cheapest house prices:
- Waitemata Harbour
- Maraetai
- Waiuku
- Pukekohe
- Waitakere
In 2023, Auckland‘s median price decreased by 12.5% year-on-year to NZ$1,000,000. The average home costs NZ$1,080,000 in Auckland City and only NZ$820,000 in Franklin District in June 2023. North Shore City is the most expensive area, with a median price of NZ$1,203,000.
A small 2-bedroom apartment in Auckland’s city center costs approximately NZ$539,000. For this price, you’ll be able to find an apartment in a central location and parking for one car.
In Pukekohe, you can get a small house for roughly NZ$800,000. This price also allows you to buy a home in an area with all amenities and services close by.
Keep in mind that some areas are very expensive; for instance, a medium house price in Orakei Ward is NZ$1,890,000. Here is more info on the pricey suburbs of Auckland, where only the rich can afford a house.
| Suburb | Average property value (March 2023) |
|---|---|
| Coatesville | NZ$3,812,000 |
| Herne Bay | NZ$3,580,000 |
| Saint Marys Bay | NZ$2,908,000 |
| Waiheke Island | NZ$3,270,000 |
| Whitford | NZ$3,420,000 |
Cost of living in Auckland for students
For basic living costs, a student needs to budget NZ$400 to NZ$800 a week, NZ$1,600 to NZ$2,400 a month, or NZ$19,200 to NZ$28,800 a year. This doesn’t include university fees, which you will most likely need to pay upfront before you arrive. Basic living costs for a student include accommodation, transport, entertainment, food, bills, and utilities.
You will need to factor in additional expenses, including insurance, stationery, textbooks, and healthcare. It’s worth noting that if you plan on coming to live in Auckland as a student, you will need to budget for a rental bond if you choose not to live in university accommodation.
University accommodation can be cheaper, and it can allow you to live close to where you study so that you don’t have to spend too much on public transport.
Most students rent a room in a house or apartment, which can range from NZ$200 to NZ$400 per week.
If you plan on maintaining your fitness while you’re in Auckland, a gym membership will cost anything from NZ$10 to NZ$80 per week. Make sure to look out for student discounts, or stick to the free university’s gym!
Cost of living in Auckland for singles
If you are single, it will cost more than a student but less than a family or a couple. Not including rent, the cost of living in Auckland per person is NZ$1,839 per month. With rent, you should budget at least NZ$4,400.
If you want to live in the city center, renting a studio costs between NZ$1,800 and NZ$2,100. A one-bedroom apartment will cost NZ$2,200 a month, and if you need two bedrooms, be ready to pay at least NZ$2,400 per month. Many singles rent a room, which is the cheapest option, costing you from NZ$200 to NZ$400 per week.
Let’s break this budget down so that you can see where your money is going. As a single person in Auckland, you’re going to spend up to NZ$250 a month on utilities such as electricity and water. Internet costs another NZ$75 if you peak the cheapest fibre plan with 2degrees.
Joining the gym costs from NZ$80 to NZ$300 per month, depending on the level of comfort and facilities. Whether you like to eat out or dine in, you will need to factor in how much you will spend on food. The average Auckland single spends up to NZ$1,100 monthly on groceries and food (including eating out at restaurants).
Health insurance might not be something that you relish spending money on, but it’s essential if you don’t have access to public healthcare! You can spend up to NZ$330 a month on health insurance. However, because you have no dependents, there is a good chance that it will be less than this.
The cost of living in Auckland will highly depend on the neighbourhood you choose to live in. The most expensive suburbs include:
- Ponsonby
- Orakei
- Mission Bay
- Herne Bay
- St Mary’s Bay
Generally, most Bays are very expensive to live in.
Whereas the most affordable are:
- Otara
- Papakura
- Grafton
Check out the best suburbs to live in Auckland.
Cost of living in Auckland for couples
If you and your partner plan on moving to Auckland, you might want to think about how much it’s going to cost you to live there together. The cost of living for a person is around NZ$1,839 per month (excluding rent). So, for two people, it comes to NZ$3,679 per month without a rent.
The cost of living for a couple in Auckland is between NZ$5,600 and NZ$8,000 a month, depending on the type of house you choose. This includes everything you might spend your money on, from your mobile phone to food and transportation.
If you plan on renting a studio apartment in the city, this will cost anywhere between NZ$1,800 and NZ$2,100. A one-bedroom apartment costs NZ$2,200 a month, and a two-bedroom house goes for at least NZ$2,500 per month.
Your average monthly food bill is going to cost up to NZ$1,140, and if you and your partner like to dine out regularly, you can expect to spend up to NZ$540 a month on restaurant meals. It can cost up to NZ$120 for two people to dine out.
Cost of living in Auckland for families
An average family of four requires between NZ$7,500 and NZ$10,000 per month to live comfortably in Auckland.
Whether you are a family of four or more, the prospect of moving to a new city together is exciting. However, as a family, budgeting is even more important. Read the dedicated article for families. Childcare is relatively affordable in New Zealand, yet, most of your money will be spent on housing and grocery bills.
As a family, you will need larger accommodation. If you plan on staying in an apartment or house in the city, this will cost you between NZ$3,000 and NZ$4,000 per month. If you plan on finding a rental outside of the city, a 3-bedroom house costs between NZ$3,100 and NZ$4,800 monthly rent.
That brings us to around NZ$7,500 and NZ$10,000 if we consider other expenses like childcare and food for all family members.
If you are ready to take the plunge and buy your first property in Auckland, check out house prices here.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Auckland?
In order to live comfortably in Auckland, you will need at least NZ$4,100 as a single per month. This allows you to find accommodation that suits your lifestyle and easily afford the groceries that you need every week. You will have enough in your budget to own a decent vehicle and treat yourself to a nice meal several times a month.
Even within individual budgets, there is a bit of flexibility. This is because there are two types of people in this world – those who want to stick to a strict budget and those who want to be comfortable. While it’s good to make sure you know what you’re spending, it’s also worth knowing how much you’ll need to be comfortable if you plan to move to Auckland.
If you are a family of four and you want to live comfortably in Auckland, then you will need to be earning NZ$7,600 per month. As a family, this budget will include bigger accommodation, whether an apartment in the city or a house in the suburbs, and schooling. It may also have a place for several vehicles and monthly expenses like health insurance and utilities.
Average salary in Auckland
The average salary in Auckland is NZ$71,000 per annum in 2023. This breaks down to NZ$4,575 net a month. A salary like this can allow you to have a comfortable life, especially for the average family with two incomes.
If you’re planning on moving to Auckland for work, it’s helpful to know how much the average earner is making so that you can compare this against your current job. You can also plan your budget accordingly and get a good understanding of what you’ll be able to afford.
Keep in mind that the more you earn, the more tax you will have to pay. Another thing to remember when thinking about salary is that this doesn’t necessarily reflect mortgage interest rates. Interest rates can fluctuate regardless of how much you are earning.
Cost of living in Auckland vs. Melbourne
You would need around NZ$9,762 (AU$9,005) in Melbourne to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with NZ$9,200 in Auckland when renting in both cities.
| Consumer prices in Melbourne are 3.6% higher than they are in Auckland |
| Dining out in Melbourne costs 11.7% more than in Auckland |
| Cost of weekly groceries is 1.7% higher in Melbourne than in Auckland |
| Rent prices are 11.6% higher in Melbourne than they are in Auckland |
Read this guide about the cost of living in Australia vs New Zealand as well as living in Australia vs Melbourne.
Cost of living in Auckland vs. Sydney
You would need around AU$8,348 (NZ9,050) in Auckland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with AU$10,000 in Sydney.
| Eating out in Sydney costs 5.3% more than in Auckland |
| Weekly groceries cost 1.4% more in Sydney than in Auckland |
| Rent costs 35.6% more in Sydney than in Auckland |
| Purchasing power is 0.9% higher in Auckland than in Sydney |
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