Cost of Living & Quality of Life in New Zealand (2026)
What everyday life costs in New Zealand — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with Oceania.
- Quality of Life Index
- 168.4
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 52.3
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 67.7
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $1,154/mo
- 2023
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $14.73
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $3,320
- 2023
Quality of life trends in New Zealand
Typical living costs in New Zealand
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $1,154/mo | 2023 | -9.9% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $920/mo | 2023 | -17.6% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $1,931/mo | 2023 | -10.3% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $140/mo | 2023 | -6.5% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $51.97/mo | 2023 | -8.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $34.59/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $14.73 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $78.25 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $3.45 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $127 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $1.69 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $38.54/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $736/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $3,320 | 2023 | +3.9% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 168.4 | 2024 | -4.7% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 52.3 | 2024 | -3.5% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 67.7 | 2024 | -4.6% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 28.1 | 2024 | +16.1% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 95.5 | 2024 | -0.9% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 168.4 | 52.3 | 67.7 | 28.1 | 95.5 |
| 2023 | 176.7 | 54.2 | 71 | 24.2 | 96.4 |
| 2022 | 176.8 | 56.7 | 73.3 | 23.6 | 96.7 |
| 2021 | 175.8 | 57.7 | 73.6 | 23.8 | 96.4 |
| 2020 | 181 | 59.1 | 73.8 | 23.4 | 95.5 |
| 2019 | 185.6 | 60.4 | 73.6 | 22.7 | 95.5 |
| 2018 | 182.4 | 60.8 | 72 | 21.8 | 96.1 |
| 2017 | 184.7 | 61.2 | 70.6 | 20 | 85.4 |
New Zealand compared with Oceania
| Country | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Meal, inexpensive restaurant | Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 168.4 | 52.3 | 67.7 | $14.73 | $1,154/mo |
| Australia | 163.8 | 52.9 | 69.8 | $16.68 | $1,518/mo |
Related
- Properties for sale in New Zealand
- House prices & rental yields in New Zealand
- New Zealand market overview
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.