Wellington vs Auckland vs Christchurch: Let’s compare the living costs (May 2022)
Struggling to decide where to settle in New Zealand?
While there are many factors to consider, none is going to affect your life quite as much cost of living.
In other words – can you afford to live in a particular area? To get to the answer, you have to look at the cost of rent, groceries and most certainly schooling if you’re a parent.
We’ve done the legwork for you by comparing the cost of living in New Zealand’s three biggest cities – Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.
Please note: All costs are in New Zealand dollars.
1. Rent
Many of us spend a considerable chunk of our salary on rent each month, so let’s start there, shall we?
1-Bedroom apartment in the city centre
Let’s say you’re a single person or a couple, and you love the hustle and bustle of the city. You’ll see that a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre is most affordable Christchurch.
| Wellington | Auckland | Christchurch | |
|---|---|---|---|
1-bedroom apartment in the city | 2,314.09 | 2,133.55 | 1,570.00 |
Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage collection (85m² apartment) | 232.89 | 218.31 | 173.55 |
Internet (60 mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | 82.50 | 85.60 | 75.27 |
Total | 2,629.48 | 2,437.46 | 1,818.82 |
3-Bedroom apartment in the suburbs
You’re immigrating as a family, and you want a 3-bedroom apartment in the suburbs.
Auckland comes out tops again, with the average rental price at NZ$2,461.32 a month – nearly NZ$900 less than in Auckland, which comes in second place.
| Wellington | Auckland | Christchurch | |
|---|---|---|---|
3-bedroom apartment in the city | 3,101.00 | 3,017.92 | 2,212.50 |
Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage collection (85m² apartment) | 232.89 | 218.31 | 173.55 |
Internet (60 mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | 82.50 | 85.60 | 75.27 |
Total | 3,419.09 | 3,321.83 | 2,461.32 |
3. Groceries
When comparing the cost of a basket with 12 everyday items, you’ll spend NZ$90.48 in Auckland, NZ$89.31 in Wellington, and NZ$83.75 in Christchurch.
| Wellington | Auckland | Christchurch | |
|---|---|---|---|
1L Milk | 2.94 | 3.14 | 2.78 |
Loaf of white bread | 3.12 | 3.30 | 2.16 |
1kg Rice | 3.25 | 3.23 | 3.28 |
12 Eggs | 6.31 | 7.06 | 5.93 |
1kg Local cheese | 14.74 | 13.38 | 13.11 |
1kg Chicken fillets | 14.77 | 14.79 | 14.27 |
1kg Beef round | 21.69 | 22.50 | 23.35 |
1kg Apples | 4.54 | 4.47 | 4.32 |
1kg Bananas | 3.33 | 3.20 | 3.26 |
1kg Tomatoes | 7.64 | 8.89 | 4.27 |
1kg Potatoes | 3.05 | 2.95 | 2.85 |
Lettuce | 3.93 | 3.57 | 4.17 |
Total | 89.31 | 90.48 | 83.75 |
4. School fees
Your child’s education is free at state schools if they’re a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident.
Let’s say, however, that you choose to send your child to a private institution. Christchurch offers the most affordable primary schooling by far! The difference in daycare costs are much less, but Christchurch is still the most affordable.
| Wellington | Auckland | Christchurch | |
|---|---|---|---|
Private preschool (or kindergarten) - Monthly for 1 child (full day) | 1,157.14 | 1,245.45 | 1,138.33 |
International primary school - Yearly for 1 child | 18,142.86 | 19,888.89 | 14,500.00 |
5. Getting around
To go about your daily business in New Zealand, you can either take public transport or buy a car.
Taking public transport
Christchurch is the clear winner when it comes to the cost of public transport. Your one-way ticket is going to be NZ$2.80 while a monthly pass will cost you NZ$115.22.
| Wellington | Auckland | Christchurch | |
|---|---|---|---|
1-way Ticket (local transport) | 3.92 | 4.15 | 2.80 |
Monthly pass (regular price) | 150.00 | 215.00 | 115.22 |
Buying a car
You’ll notice that there aren’t massive variances between new car prices across the three cities. The same is true for the cost of a litre of petrol, but we all know those cents add up quickly when filling up a car.
| Wellington | Auckland | Christchurch | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or equivalent new car) | 35,000.00 | 37,995.00 | 40,000.00 |
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (or equivalent new car) | 31,360.00 | 33,513.85 | 33,164.44 |
1L of Petrol | 2.81 | 2.82 | 2.76 |
6. Going out for a meal
Enjoying a meal with friends is a favourite pastime for many of us. You get to unwind, catch up on each other’s lives, and have a good laugh or two.
Lunch at your local restaurant
Christchurch is cheapest for local, laid-back restaurants and a simple meal. Your meal and two drinks are only going to set you back NZ$32.52. The same meal will only cost marginally more in Wellington at NZ$33.85.
| Wellington | Auckland | Christchurch | |
|---|---|---|---|
Restaurant meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 20.00 | 25.00 | 20.00 |
500ml Draught beer | 10.00 | 10.00 | 9.00 |
330ml Coke | 3.85 | 3.64 | 3.52 |
Total | 33.85 | 38.64 | 32.52 |
Dinner at an upmarket restaurant
Let’s imagine it’s your birthday. You want a three-course meal with a good bottle of wine. Your birthday dinner is going to cost the least in Christchurch.
| Wellington | Auckland | Christchurch | |
|---|---|---|---|
3-Course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant | 100.00 | 120.00 | 100.00 |
Bottle of wine | 16.00 | 17.00 | 15.00 |
Total | 116.00 | 137.00 | 115.00 |
7. Your 1morning coffee run
Grabbing a coffee on the way to work is such an integral part of our lives, and Auckland is the most affordable city for a cappuccino and that bottle of water you grab to go with it.
| Wellington | Auckland | Christchurch | |
|---|---|---|---|
Cappuccino | 5.03 | 5.35 | 5.42 |
Bottle of water | 3.58 | 2.71 | 2.94 |
Total | 8.61 | 8.06 | 8.36 |
In conclusion
When compared to Auckland and Wellington, Christchurch is the most affordable city in just about every instance.
In the end, though, it’s not only cost of living that’ll determine where you settle but also your lifestyle and priorities, so be sure to take those factors into consideration too.
Please note: Costs are from Numbeo (May 2022).
