The cost of living in Christchurch, New Zealand, is moderate compared to cities including Auckland and Wellington. Students spend around NZD 1,200–1,600 per month, covering shared rent, utilities, groceries, transport, and basic leisure. Shared housing keeps rent affordable, groceries remain manageable with home cooking, and public buses reduce travel costs.
Cost of Living in New Zealand for Indian Students: Accommodation, Food, Transport
New Zealand, having the highest Global Peace Index, is among the top student-friendly destinations for Indian students. One of the main concerns of international students visiting New Zealand is regarding the “cost of living”. In general, the cost to live in New Zealand as an international student is significantly cheaper than Australia, Canada, and United States. Living costs in New Zeland depends upon the city and your lifestyle. In Auckland, living expenses are higher than living in Christchurch.
On average, an Indian student in Auckland pays upto NZD 200 per week (approx INR 10,438) for accommodation in a student hall of residence. Living in a shared flat costs between NZD 150 to NZD 300 per week. Living in a private or shared accommodation, however, results in other hidden costs such as Finder’s fee and utility bills. Public transport one-way ticket can cost an average of NZD 4 to NZD 10. A monthly public transport pass costs between NZD 150 to NZD 190. Cost of food in New Zealand typically ranges between NZD 100 to NZD 150 per week. International students in New Zealand must buy health and travel insurance, which usually costs between NZD 550 to NZD 850 for one year.
What is the Average Cost of Living in New Zealand for Indian Students?
NThe average cost of living in New Zealand for Indian students ranges between NZD 1,150 to NZD 1,780 (INR 60,000 to INR 91,340) per month for accommodation, food, transport, and health insurance. An international Indian student planning to study in New Zeland should expect to spend between NZD 13,800 to NZD 21,360 per year as living expenses. Accommodation or rents in New Zealand are higher and consume the major portion of monthly budget, according to Numbeo.com.
The table below shows the overall average monthly living expenses for an international student in New Zealand.
| Expense Type | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | NZD 480 to NZD 1200 |
| Food | NZD 320 to NZD 600 |
| Transport | Up to NZD 190 |
| Mobile Internet Plan | NZD 40 to NZD 60 |
| Miscellaneous Activities | Up to NZD 100 |
As shown in the table above, international students incur higher cost of living expense for accommodation in New Zealand. Students living in hall of residence allocated by the university often incur less monthly expenses than the ones living in a shared or private accommodation.
What is the Cost of Living Index for Different Cities in New Zealand?
The cost of living index in New Zealand changes from city to city. The cities in New Zealand with higher cost of living index include Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch.
The cost of living in New Zealand index city-wise is summarized below in the table.
| City | Cost of Living Index | Rent Index | Groceries Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington | 63.3 | 28.8 | 69.7 |
| Auckland | 62.6 | 29.8 | 68.5 |
| Christchurch | 59.1 | 25.1 | 66.5 |
From the table it is clear that cost of living in Wellington, NZ is higher than Auckland and Christchurch.
What is the Average Monthly Rent in New Zealand for International Students?
The average monthly rent in New Zealand is summarized in the table below.
| Accomodation Type | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| University Accommodation | NZD 800 to 1000 NZD |
| Private Room | NZD 900 to 1200 NZD |
| Private Apartment | NZD 1500 to 2200 NZD |
What is the Food Cost in New Zealand?
An international student in New Zealand spends anywhere between NZD 320 to NZD 600 per month. The table below includes the cost of common foods in New Zealand.
| Food Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 3.12 NZ$ |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | 3.28 NZ$ |
| White Rice (1 kg) | 3.02 NZ$ |
| 12 Eggs | 10.82 NZ$ |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | 13.95 NZ$ |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | 16.19 NZ$ |
| Beef Red Meat (1 kg) | 23.29 NZ$ |
| Apples (1 kg) | 4.78 NZ$ |
| Bananas (1 kg) | 3.74 NZ$ |
| Oranges (1 kg) | 5.16 NZ$ |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 8.30 NZ$ |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 3.30 NZ$ |
| Onions (1 kg) | 2.72 NZ$ |
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant | 25.00 NZ$ |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's | 16.00 NZ$ |
What is the Cost of Transportation in New Zealand?
Internationa student frequently use public transport in New Zeland. A public bus ticket in New Zealand costs between NZD 4 to NZD 10. Hiring a Taxi starts from 4 NZD.
The table below shows the average monthly cost of transportation in New Zealand.
| Transport Option | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Single Bus/Tram Ticket | NZD 4 to NZD 10 |
| Monthly Bus Pass | Up to NZD 190 |
| Taxi 1 km | 3.25 NZD |
What is the Cost of Utilities in New Zealand?
The basic utilities expense in New Zealand includes electricity, gas, water, garbage, phone packages, and broadband internet bills.
The cost of monthly utilities are mentioned in the table below.
| Utilities | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage for 85 m2 Apartment | €160–€200 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly) | €8–€20 |
| Broadband Internet | 86.53 NZD |
Is New Zealand Expensive to Live for International Students?
Yes, New Zealand is expensive to live for international students. The cost of living index is higher in New Zealand in cities including Wellington and Auckland. Annual costs to live in New Zealand for student range between 15,000 NZD to 27,000 NZD.
What are Cheapest Cities in New Zeland for Students?
The cheapest cities in New Zealand for students include Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, and Invercargill.
What is the Cost of Living in Christchurch, New Zealand?
What is the Cost of Living in Auckland, New Zealand?
The cost of living in Auckland stays high for students. Monthly expenses range between NZD 1,600–2,200, driven by higher rent and transport costs. Shared housing reduces rent pressure, while home cooking helps control grocery spending.
What is the Cost of Living in Wellington, New Zealand?
The cost of living in Wellington remains slightly lower than Auckland. Students spend around NZD 1,400–1,900 per month, depending on housing choice. Compact city layout lowers transport costs, while rent remains the main expense.
How to Lower Living Expenses in New Zealand While Studying?
To reduce living expenses in New Zealand, follow the tips mentioned below.
- Share an accommodation: Accommodation takes up the largest part of a student budget, so choosing shared housing reduces costs significantly. Share a flat or house with other students to reduce rent. Living in a shared housing helps in lowering energy bills, internet bills, and water bills. Meanwhile, living near campus reduces daily travel expenses.
- Cook at home: Food expenses remain manageable when students prepare meals at home instead of eating out. Grocery shopping with a weekly plan reduces impulse spending and food waste. Packing lunches and snacks for campus prevents frequent spending at cafés and takeaway outlets.
Work Part-time: New Zealand student visa allows you to work 20 hours a week. Getting a part-time work provides additional income while studying in New Zealand. Student visas allow limited working hours during study periods. Earnings from part-time jobs support basic living costs such as rent, groceries, and transport when managed alongside academic responsibilities.