Travel budget in New Zealand

New Zealand: calculate your travel budget

New Zealand: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in New Zealand for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 57 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 15 per person
  • $ 9.2 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1459* (2520 $)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 110 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 39 per person
  • $ 19 per person
  • $ 12 per person

Total budget:

$ 3473* (6006 $)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 123 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 72 per person
  • $ 38 per person
  • $ 24 per person

Total budget:

$ 5403* (9338 $)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in New Zealand in 2024

Cost of living: New Zealand VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in New Zealand in 2024 is 2% less than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Cost of living in New Zealand by city

See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in New Zealand compared to the national average.

Cities /New Zealand View Details
Auckland 7% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Auckland
Wanaka 6% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Wanaka
Wellington 5% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Wellington
Timaru 4% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Timaru
Thames 4% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Thames
New Plymouth 2% moreTravel budget and cost of living in New Plymouth
Christchurch 1% lessTravel budget and cost of living in Christchurch

Show all cities (16 more)




Local prices in New Zealand by expense type

New Zealand: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in New Zealand costs 10% less than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 15/person
($ 8.8 to $ 30)

25% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 39/person
($ 28 to $ 54)

4% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 8.8/person
($ 8.2 to $ 11)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 6.4 for 500ml
($ 4.1 to $ 8.8)

10% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 3.6 for 330ml
($ 1.5 to $ 6.4)

4% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 3.3/cup
($ 2.6 to $ 4.4)

35% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 2.2/can
($ 1.6 to $ 2.9)

9% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2/bottle
($ 1.5 to $ 2.9)

0% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

New Zealand: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in New Zealand costs 40% less than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 91/night
($ 23 to $ 347)

45% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 167
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 105/night
($ 56 to $ 249)

30% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 152
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 115/night
($ 63 to $ 262)

48% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 131/night
($ 72 to $ 317)

57% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 304
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 206/night
($ 107 to $ 468)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 435
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 103/month
($ 49 to $ 302)

36% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 162
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 125/month
($ 59 to $ 339)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 235
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 127/month
($ 69 to $ 314)

37% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 203
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 136/month
($ 80 to $ 329)

38% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220
Family room
Family room
$ 169/month
($ 83 to $ 397)

15% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 201

New Zealand: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in New Zealand costs 10% less than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.8/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 2.8)

71% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Bread
Bread
$ 1.9/500g
($ 1.2 to $ 2.9)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Rice
Rice
$ 1.8/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 2.9)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 6.3/12 eggs
($ 3.8 to $ 8.4)

75% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Chicken
Chicken
$ 9.3/kg
($ 4.9 to $ 15)

20% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Apples
Apples
$ 2.7/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 3.5)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 5.3/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 8.7)

12% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.1/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 3.5)

27% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.2
($ 0.5 to $ 2.3)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

New Zealand: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in New Zealand is 9% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 2.3/ticket
($ 1.3 to $ 3.5)

4% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 2.1/km
($ 1.6 to $ 3.5)

22% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.7/litre
($ 1.6 to $ 1.8)

75% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 2.3
($ 1.8 to $ 4.7)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Car hire
Car hire
$ 60/24hrs
($ 25 to $ 349)

14% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 71

New Zealand: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in New Zealand costs 21% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 12/ticket
($ 8.8 to $ 15)

14% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 15/hr
($ 7 to $ 25)

27% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

New Zealand: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in New Zealand is 58% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 25/pack
($ 21 to $ 28)

139% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 69
($ 41 to $ 95)

33% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 45
($ 25 to $ 71)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Auckland
Sydney → Auckland
Sydney → Auckland
$ 312
(fair price: $ 264)
Melbourne → Auckland
Melbourne → Auckland
Melbourne → Auckland
$ 333
(fair price: $ 284)
Sydney → Christchurch
Sydney → Christchurch
Sydney → Christchurch
$ 394
(fair price: $ 359)
Los Angeles → Auckland
Los Angeles  → Auckland
Los Angeles  → Auckland
$ 1289
(fair price: $ 1057)
Melbourne → Christchurch
Melbourne → Christchurch
Melbourne → Christchurch
$ 389
(fair price: $ 335)
New York City → Auckland
New York City → Auckland
New York City → Auckland
$ 1872
(fair price: $ 1562)

Book a flight Flight prices to New Zealand




About the information on the cost of living in New Zealand

The information about the cost of living in New Zealand shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in New Zealand updated on 10-11-2024.

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