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Are you planning to study in New Zealand? Then, choosing Auckland as the city of your study abroad dreams and residence might just be optimum for you. However, it has its own set of expenses. For a single person, the cost of living in Auckland is approximately NZD 1,813 per month, excluding rent, but it can vary depending on the city and lifestyle.
Auckland is home to the University of Auckland which was founded in 1883 and is the largest university in New Zealand. Many students move to Auckland for its promising student life and best career opportunities. But, at the same time, they must have insights into the cost of living in the city. If you are one of the many who have decided to reside in Auckland, then here is a blog that details the cost of living in Auckland. Read below to know more.
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Cost of Living in Auckland
If you are ready to move to Auckland and are curious about the cost of living there, as it offers a unique blend of experiences for expats. The cost of living in Auckland for a person is approximately NZD 1,813 per month, including rent, whereas, for a family of 4 members, it is around NZD 6,554 near the city centre.
The cost of living in Auckland, many factors come into play, such as transportation cost, utility expenses, and more. We have segregated the same below. Take a look.
Cost of Transportation in Auckland
Moving around and travelling in Auckland is reasonably affordable for international students or expats. Especially when using public transport. If you plan to own a car then you need to also consider the costs of insurance, petrol, and maintenance. This is ideal for families, as for international students, public transportation is easily available and accessible.
The cost of transportation comes under the overall cost of living in Auckland. Tabulated below are the prices for your better reference.
| Transportation Type | Approx cost |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | NZD 4.20 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | NZD 215.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | NZD 4.00 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | NZD 4.00 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | NZD 60.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | NZD 2.93 |
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Cost of Food and Restaurants
The average cost of food in Auckland at an inexpensive restaurant is around NZD 25. However, the cost of groceries in Auckland is around NZD 185, which includes various products such as bread, milk, water, vegetables, fruits, drinks, and other items. The cost of food in restaurants and groceries can impact the cost of living in Auckland as it is a daily expense. Below, we have given the list of a few grocery items with their cost in Auckland:
| Type of food items | Approx Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | NZD 3.25 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | NZD 3.66 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | NZD 3.56 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | NZD 11.71 |
| Apples (1kg) | NZD 4.97 |
| Banana (1kg) | NZD 3.75 |
| Oranges (1kg) | NZD 5.25 |
| Tomato (1kg) | NZD 10.16 |
| Potato (1kg) | NZD 4.31 |
| Onion (1kg) | NZD 3.57 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | NZD 4.26 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | NZD 1.95 |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | NZD 25.50 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | NZD 130.00 |
| Regular Coffee | NZD 5.71 |
| Meat, Egg, Drinks and Other items | NZD 125 |
Cost of Utility in Auckland
Utility bills are another set of expenses that are needed to be considered, for planning to live in Auckland. The average cost of utility in Auckland for a single expat is around NZD 248 /month, which is somewhat low from the cost of living in Auckland. For your convenience, the Cost of Utilities in Auckland is given in the table:
| Type of Utility Bills (per month) | Approx Cost |
| Basic Utilities for 85m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | NZD 248.87 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | NZD 62.26 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | NZD 85.83 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Scotland: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Accommodation in Auckland
The average rent of a room in Auckland for a single person is around NZD 2,215 in the city centre. The average cost of rent in Auckland can vary according to your budget and lifestyle a person prefer, and it can affect the cost of living in Auckland. Specific accommodations for students can range differently than renting a private apartment. The cost of apartment rent in the city centre and out of the city are as follows:
| Type of Accommodation | Approx Cost |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | NZD 2,215 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | NZD 2,094 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | NZD 4,206 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | NZD 3,342 |
| Halls of residence | NZD 435 per week |
| Homestay | NZD 343 per week |
Cost of Entertainment and Recreation
In Auckland, many museums and galleries have free entry, while concerts and shows can be quite expensive, which may affect your cost of living in Auckland’s budget. Let’s check out some of the prices for entertainment purposes in Auckland.
| Type of Entertainment Expenses | Approx Cost |
| Watching a film at the cinema | NZD 22.00 |
| Monthly fee for a fitness Club | NZD 82.57 |
| Galleries and Musuems | Free |
Average Tuition Fees in Auckland
Along with the Average cost of living in Auckland, it is essential to know the average tuition fees for higher education. The University of Auckland is the most prominent university in Auckland. Therefore, to give you an idea of the tuition fees for studying here, we have provided you with the following information.
| Study level | Average Tuition Fees |
| For UG Programmes | NZD 40000 |
| For PG Programmes | NZD 40000 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Lithuania: A Guide on Lithuania Expenses 2024
Why Choose Auckland to Study Abroad?
Along with diving into the many cost of living in Auckland, you need to look out for while considering why to choose Auckland to study. Here are some of the reasons why Auckland is the ideal place for studying abroad.
- Auckland is ranked 37 on the list of best student cities in 2023, as per QS Ranking.
- New Zealand provides highly excellent and standardised education pathways and internationally recognised qualifications that allow international students to gain competitive skills to succeed in the world.
- Moreover, Auckland offers a range of different courses that allow students to excel in the subject of their choice.
- Auckland is also the economic powerhouse of New Zealand, with exciting career opportunities for skilled people in many sectors driving the country to the forefront.
- Did you know that Auckland was rated as the most livable city in 2021, per Economist Intelligence Unit’s annual survey? It has great living standards for international students.
Things to Know When Moving to Auckland
When estimating the cost of living in Auckland as a student, there are a few other essential criteria to consider. Auckland is an amazing city that offers numerous opportunities for international students to thrive academically and enjoy living abroad. Some of the things that you should know apart from the cost of living in Auckland are mentioned below.
- New Zealand is generally located at a far distance from the rest of the world. So, visiting back home can always be quite expensive.
- It’s a good idea to have travel and health insurance while living in Auckland. In fact, work visa holders are also eligible for the public healthcare system.
- Be ready to experience all four seasons in a day because that might just become your reality soon! From wind, sun, and rain, to flight-delaying fog, you are about to experience all in a short amount of time.
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FAQs
The average cost of living in Auckland is NZD 4,000 per month, including rent. However, living expenses in Auckland can vary according to location and a person’s standard of living.
Ans: Auckland can be considered relatively expensive to live in. As per the Mercer Cost of Living Survey last year, the city ranked 111th. The average cost of living in Auckland is NZD 1803 per month, excluding the rent.
Ans: The average room rent in Auckland for a single person is around NZD 2,215 in the city centre and NZD 2,094 outside the centre. However, it can vary according to a person’s budget and lifestyle and affect the cost of living in Auckland.
So, this was all about the cost of living in Auckland. How do you feel about the cost of living in Auckland? We hope we could add to your know-how about living in Auckland! Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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