Christchurch vs San Francisco Cost of Living

Christchurch (New Zealand) · Overall index 53.3San Francisco (United States) · Overall index 95.1

Summary

  • Overall, San Francisco is 78% more expensive than Christchurch.
  • Rent in San Francisco is 188% more expensive than in Christchurch.
  • Transport in San Francisco is 80% more expensive than in Christchurch.
ItemChristchurchSan FranciscoDiff
Rent+188%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,425$3,208+125%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$864$2,609+202%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,563$7,487+192%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,443$4,864+237%
Groceries+49%
Milk (1L)$0.98$1.31+34%
White bread (500g)$2.69$4.2+56%
Rice (1kg)$3.56$5.82+63%
Eggs (12)$3.05$4.57+50%
Local cheese (1kg)$9.32$16.3+75%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$9.22$12.6+37%
Beef round (1kg)$14.8$22.3+51%
Apples (1kg)$4.21$5.88+40%
Bananas (1kg)$1.55$2.46+59%
Oranges (1kg)$3.25$4.54+40%
Tomatoes (1kg)$3.83$5.5+44%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.87$3.06+64%
Onions (1kg)$2.06$2.72+32%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.78$2.75+54%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.62$2.41+49%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$10.7$15.4+44%
Transport+80%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.64$3.1+89%
Public transport, monthly pass$74.4$139+87%
Taxi, base fare$2.23$4.48+101%
Taxi, per km$1.22$1.91+57%
Gasoline (1L)$0.56$0.99+77%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$16,194$27,640+71%
Dining out+62%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$15.8$21.5+36%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$74.1$115+55%
Fast food combo meal$7.26$11.6+60%
Cappuccino$3.3$5.52+67%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.81$3.04+68%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$4.53$8.59+90%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$5.3$8.71+64%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.46$2.32+59%
Telecom+36%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$49.9$68.5+37%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$54.5$71.8+32%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.27$0.37+37%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$11.3$15.8+40%
Utilities & household+60%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$113$176+56%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.14$0.23+64%
Tap water (1m³)$3.65$5.1+40%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.9$1.47+63%
Waste collection (monthly)$14.9$25.8+73%
Fitness club (monthly)$54.8$94.8+73%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$9.83$17.5+78%
Men's haircut$24.6$33.2+35%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$18.3$29.6+62%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,290$2,199+70%

3,440 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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