Auckland vs Melbourne Cost of Living

Auckland (New Zealand) · Overall index 61.8Melbourne (Australia) · Overall index 65.3

Summary

  • Overall, Melbourne is 6% more expensive than Auckland.
  • Rent in Melbourne is 14% more expensive than in Auckland.
  • Dining out in Melbourne is 6% more expensive than in Auckland.
ItemAucklandMelbourneDiff
Rent+14%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,767$2,062+17%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,128$1,117-1%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,906$3,536+22%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$2,041$2,437+19%
Groceries+2%
Milk (1L)$1.15$0.97-16%
White bread (500g)$2.94$3.2+9%
Rice (1kg)$3.97$3.75-6%
Eggs (12)$4.1$3.69-10%
Local cheese (1kg)$9.98$10.3+3%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$11$10.3-6%
Beef round (1kg)$15.9$15.1-5%
Apples (1kg)$4.53$4.14-9%
Bananas (1kg)$1.54$1.56+1%
Oranges (1kg)$3.84$4.16+8%
Tomatoes (1kg)$3.98$5.03+26%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.54$2.75+8%
Onions (1kg)$2.09$2.45+17%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.22$1.98-11%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.69$2.08+23%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$12.6$13.8+10%
Transport+1%
Public transport, one-way ticket$2.09$1.9-9%
Public transport, monthly pass$91$93+2%
Taxi, base fare$2.88$2.96+3%
Taxi, per km$1.43$1.32-8%
Gasoline (1L)$0.61$0.76+25%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$19,648$19,348-2%
Dining out+6%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$15.7$17+8%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$81.4$92.3+13%
Fast food combo meal$9.54$9.69+2%
Cappuccino$4.16$4.01-4%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.81$1.91+6%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$5.21$5.35+3%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$5.89$6.13+4%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.44$1.8+25%
Telecom+4%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$44.7$47.6+6%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$57.8$60.5+5%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.29$0.3+3%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$13.1$13.5+3%
Utilities & household+4%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$147$155+5%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.19$0.190%
Tap water (1m³)$4.09$4.24+4%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.13$1.3+15%
Waste collection (monthly)$19.8$19.4-2%
Fitness club (monthly)$65.7$74.6+14%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$11.9$13.5+13%
Men's haircut$23.8$24.3+2%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$20.6$18.5-10%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,677$1,717+2%

3,383 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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