There are many great reasons to think about moving to Auckland. With its stunning beaches, lively cafes, and vibrant nightlife all just a stone’s throw away, Auckland offers the perfect balance of work and play. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or career opportunities, this city has it all. But before you pack your bags, you might be wondering, how much do you need to earn to truly enjoy everything Auckland has to offer? Let’s dive into the cost of living and find out!
Reasons to move to Auckland
With a population of 1.7 million, Auckland offers job opportunities across every industry, many of which are unique to the city. From start-ups to New Zealand’s largest companies, as well as film, television, and news media, Auckland’s job market is full of exciting prospects.
Relocating to Auckland is not just a smart career move; it’s also an opportunity to live in a family-friendly, picturesque, and welcoming city that’s known for its safety and overall quality of life.
Salaries in Auckland
According to Infometrics, the average household income in Auckland was $162,494, higher than the New Zealand average of $132,812.
What’s different about Auckland?
Auckland offers higher pay rates compared to most parts of New Zealand, but it also comes with higher housing and rent costs. In fact, it’s second only to Wellington as the most expensive place to live in the country.
One downside to living in Auckland is the traffic. Unlike more compact cities like Wellington, Auckland is more spread out, and traveling across the city during rush hour can take hours. According to the Auckland City Council, commuters in the city spend about 20 working days each year stuck in traffic.
Auckland boasts one of the most diverse populations in New Zealand, with over 180 ethnicities represented. Around 42% of its residents were born overseas, and 30% of Aucklanders speak two or more languages. The city’s demographic makeup includes 33% Asian, 18% Pacifica, 14% Māori, and 63% European.
Cost of living in Auckland
When it comes to the cost of living in Auckland, accommodation is one of the biggest expenses. The city’s rental and housing market has been on the rise for decades.
For Renters
If you’re a young professional or simply want to live close to the action, consider these suburbs that are near the city and well-served by buses and public transport:
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Auckland City
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Ponsonby
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Grey Lynn
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Parnell
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Meadowbank
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Onehunga
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Mt Albert
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Ōtāhuhu
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Henderson
Auckland is a vast, sprawling city, so it’s important to think about where you’ll be working, studying, or commuting regularly before choosing a suburb to settle in.
The average rent in Auckland, according to the Trade Me Rental Price Index, is $690 per week, reflecting a 4.5% increase from the previous year.
Auckland’s North Shore is pricier, with a median weekly rent of $730. The most expensive suburb to buy in is Herne Bay, where the median house price is $3.16 million. On the other hand, some of the most affordable suburbs in Auckland include Auckland Central, Grafton, Manukau, and Clendon Park, with Clendon Park offering a median apartment price of $300,000.
That’s a smart way to cut down costs in Auckland! Sharing a flat not only helps with rent but also brings a built-in social network, which can be great for newcomers to the city.
Trade Me and Facebook groups are solid starting points for finding flatmates. Another option is checking community boards or apps like Roomi or Flatmate Finder. Some people even find housemates through university noticeboards or work networks.
Buying in Auckland
Auckland has long been known for its high housing prices compared to the rest of New Zealand. Between October 2011 and October 2021, the median house price surged by $780,000, from $470,000 to $1.25 million—an average return of 10% annually!
The average sale price of an Auckland home was $1,038,000.
Despite Auckland being an expensive city to buy in, there are still areas that experts believe are undervalued in the property market. According to opespartners.co.nz, regions like the Hibiscus Coast in the north, Howick in East Auckland, and Franklin to the south are all considered undervalued.
On the flip side, areas like the Waitakere Ranges, Henderson, and much of Auckland Central are deemed overvalued by property experts. Properties in the far south, east, and west of Auckland are generally the most affordable, while areas like Auckland City, Rodney, and Howick tend to be pricier to buy in. With Auckland’s population projected to grow by an additional 30% over the next two decades, demand for housing will continue to rise, further impacting Auckland property prices and shaping the future of the city’s real estate market.
The cost of food in Auckland
When calculating the cost of living in Auckland, a significant portion of your budget will likely go toward eating and drinking. Aucklanders love to go out, whether it’s enjoying a Saturday brunch or grabbing after-work drinks on a Wednesday. There’s really no wrong time to enjoy the vibrant city scene.
The cost of eating
According to the comparison website Glimp, the average weekly grocery bill for a single household in Auckland is $145.10, making it more expensive than other urban areas in New Zealand.
The cost of dining out
Auckland offers a wealth of dining out options, ranging from fine dining to fast-casual eateries, with a diverse selection of international cuisine.
Cheap eats ($20 – $25):
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Kepa Road Cafe – Coffee
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Seabreeze – Café – Brunch
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Federal Delicatessen – New York Deli Style
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Daily Bread – Café – Brunch
For a reasonably priced dining experience ($25 – $55), check out these Auckland favorites:
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Ghost Street – Chinese food – Shared plates
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Haru no Yume – Sushi and Sake
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Hot Hot – South East Asian
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Platform 8 – North American – Shared plates
Fine Dining: $55+
- Alma – Southern Spanish
- Eight – Hotel Buffet
- TALA – Samoan
Getting around Auckland
Auckland is a geographically expansive city, and owning a personal vehicle can significantly enhance mobility and convenience. However, for those without private transport, Auckland features an integrated public transportation network comprising trains, buses, and ferries that ensures reliable access across the wider metropolitan area.
- AT HOP Cards: Registering for an AT HOP card streamlines your travel across Auckland’s public transport system, making it both faster and more cost-effective. Enjoy a 20% discount on every bus, train, and ferry trip compared to standard cash fares.
- Bus and Train Fares: Auckland’s public transport system is divided into nine fare zones, with prices starting from as low as $0.60 for inner-city travel and going up to $12.60 for trips that span all zones. See how much you might pay here.
- Passes: Monthly travel passes are available for various public transport options in Auckland. A bus and train monthly pass costs $215 and offers unlimited travel across all zones. Ferry passes are also available for select routes, with prices ranging from $165 to $265 per month.
Parking in the city
The Auckland Transport website has live information on how much parking is available in their inner-city car parks. Check out their site here before you travel.
Auckland’s parking system is structured into three different zones, each with varying rates and enforcement hours. If you’re navigating the city, it’s helpful to check the inner-city parking map for a detailed breakdown of where to park and how much you’ll need to pay.
Zone 1 (Central City)
- Monday – Friday (8 AM – 6 PM) → $5 per hour (first 2 hours), $10 per hour (after 2 hours)
- Monday – Friday (6 PM – 10 PM) → $2.50 per hour (first 2 hours), $5 per hour (after 2 hours)
- Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays (8 AM – 10 PM) → $2.50 per hour (first 2 hours), $5 per hour (after 2 hours)
Zone 2
- Monday – Friday (8 AM – 6 PM) → $3.50 per hour (first 2 hours), $7 per hour (after 2 hours)
- Saturday (8 AM – 6 PM) → $1.50 per hour (first 2 hours), $3 per hour (after 2 hours)
Zone 3
- Monday – Friday (8 AM – 6 PM) → $3 per hour (first 2 hours), $6 per hour (after 2 hours)
- Saturday (8 AM – 6 PM) → $1.50 per hour (first 2 hours), $3 per hour (after 2 hours)
Ready to Move? Now that you have a clearer picture of Auckland’s cost of living, it might be time to start planning your move. Choosing a moving company you can trust is key and Domestic Movers makes it easy. With a wide network of reliable movers, you can quickly find a trusted Man with a Van or full-service relocation provider to get you settled in Auckland smoothly.
Prices in Auckland New zealand, 2025
Auckland’s cost of living in 2025 varies depending on housing, food, transportation, and entertainment. Here you found price item list,
| Item | Price (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | NZ$25 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac meal or similar) | NZ$16 |
| 500g (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | NZ$8 |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | NZ$2.79 |
| 12 large eggs | NZ$12 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | NZ$8 |
| 500g (16 oz.) of local cheese | NZ$7 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | NZ$4.78 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | NZ$3.88 |
| 0.5 liter (16 oz.) domestic beer in the supermarket | NZ$7 |
| 1 bottle of good-quality red table wine | NZ$20 |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | NZ$4.32 |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | NZ$3.12 |
- Housing & Utilities
| Item | Price (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Monthly rent (85m²/900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area) | NZ$4,468 |
| Monthly rent (85m²/900 sqft furnished accommodation in normal area) | NZ$3,395 |
| Utilities (1 month for 2 people in 85m² flat) | NZ$219 |
| Monthly rent (45m²/480 sqft furnished studio in expensive area) | NZ$2,510 |
| Monthly rent (45m²/480 sqft furnished studio in normal area) | NZ$1,989 |
| Utilities (1 month for 1 person in 45m² studio) | NZ$173 |
- Miscellaneous Prices
| Item | Price (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Internet (8 Mbps, 1 month) | NZ$81 |
| 40” flat screen TV | NZ$708 |
| Microwave (800/900 watt – Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent) | NZ$224 |
| Laundry detergent (3 liters, ~100 oz.) | NZ$17 |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | NZ$34 |
- Clothing Prices
| Item | Price (NZD) |
|---|---|
| 1 pair of jeans (Levi’s 501 or similar) | NZ$142 |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | NZ$91 |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | NZ$194 |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | NZ$225 |
- Transportation Costs
| Item | Price (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | NZ$46,556 |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | NZ$2.84 |
| Monthly ticket for public transport | NZ$202 |
| Taxi trip on a business day (basic tariff, 8 km / 5 miles) | NZ$30 |
- Personal Care
| Item | Price (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | NZ$17 |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | NZ$5.53 |
| Short visit to a private doctor (15 minutes) | NZ$68 |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, …) | NZ$9 |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml / ~1.5 oz.) | NZ$5.91 |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400ml / ~12 oz.) | NZ$7 |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | NZ$2.56 |
| Tube of toothpaste | NZ$4.08 |
| Standard men’s haircut in the expat area of the city | NZ$40 |
- Entertainment & Leisure
| Item | Price (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Basic dinner out for two in a neighborhood pub | NZ$91 |
| 2 tickets to the movies | NZ$46 |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | NZ$290 |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area (including appetizers, main course, wine, and dessert) | NZ$137 |
| 1 cocktail drink in a downtown club | NZ$21 |
| Cappuccino in the expat area of the city | NZ$6 |
| 1 beer in a neighborhood pub (500ml or 1 pint) | NZ$12 |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | NZ$982 |
| 1 minute of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | NZ$0.39 |
| 1 month of gym membership in the business district | NZ$68 |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | NZ$41 |
