Travel budget and cost of living in New Zealand how much does a trip cost?

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.

* 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 2025

Cost of living: New Zealand VS United States

On average, the cost of living in New Zealand in 2025 is 3% 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:

Local prices in New Zealand by expense type

New Zealand: Restaurant budget

Lunch

$ 16/person
($ 9.1 to $ 31)

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25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 41/person
($ 29 to $ 56)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 9.1/person
($ 8.5 to $ 11)

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18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 6.6 for 500ml
($ 4.2 to $ 9.1)

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10% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.1

Imported beer

$ 3.7 for 330ml
($ 1.5 to $ 6.6)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 3.4/cup
($ 2.7 to $ 4.6)

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35% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Fizzy drink

$ 2.3/can
($ 1.6 to $ 3)

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9% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Water bottle

$ 2.1/bottle
($ 1.5 to $ 3)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

New Zealand: Hotel and accommodation budget

1-star hotel

$ 90/night
($ 24 to $ 329)

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46% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 166

2-star hotel

$ 106/night
($ 59 to $ 235)

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32% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 157

3-star hotel

$ 119/night
($ 67 to $ 269)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 231

4-star hotel

$ 135/night
($ 76 to $ 331)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 322

5-star hotel

$ 230/night
($ 120 to $ 495)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 519

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 102/month
($ 52 to $ 275)

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38% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 166

Room with kitchen

$ 130/month
($ 63 to $ 355)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 246

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 134/month
($ 74 to $ 324)

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35% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 209

Cottage or guest house

$ 143/month
($ 91 to $ 314)

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39% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 235

Family room

$ 176/month
($ 88 to $ 415)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 205

New Zealand: Supermarket food budget

Milk

$ 1.8/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 2.9)

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71% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 2/500g
($ 1.2 to $ 3)

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46% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Rice

$ 1.8/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 3)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 6.5/12 eggs
($ 3.9 to $ 8.7)

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75% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Chicken

$ 9.7/kg
($ 5.1 to $ 15)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 2.8/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 3.6)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 5.5/kg
($ 2.4 to $ 9)

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12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Potatoes

$ 2.2/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 3.6)

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27% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3

Water bottle

$ 1.2
($ 0.5 to $ 2.4)

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

New Zealand: Public and private transport budget

Bus ticket

$ 2.4/ticket
($ 1.3 to $ 3.6)

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4% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 2.2/km
($ 1.6 to $ 3.6)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.8

Petrol

$ 1.7/litre
($ 1.6 to $ 1.8)

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75% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 2.4
($ 1.8 to $ 4.9)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Car hire

$ 55/24hrs
($ 27 to $ 183)

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25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 73

New Zealand: Leisure activity budget

Cinema

$ 13/ticket
($ 9.1 to $ 16)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 16/hr
($ 7.3 to $ 26)

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27% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

New Zealand: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

Cigarettes

$ 26/pack
($ 22 to $ 29)

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139% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 71
($ 43 to $ 98)

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33% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 46
($ 26 to $ 73)

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3% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Auckland

$ 329
(fair price: $ 280)

Melbourne → Auckland

$ 341
(fair price: $ 292)

Sydney → Christchurch

$ 395
(fair price: $ 364)

Melbourne → Christchurch

$ 387
(fair price: $ 339)

Los Angeles → Auckland

$ 1285
(fair price: $ 1049)

Montreal → Auckland

$ 1571
(fair price: $ 1441)

Book a flight Flight prices to New Zealand