New Zealand is one of the most inexpensive countries if you are looking to study abroad. New Zealand has a ‘Goods and Services’ tax (GST) that is added to the price of most things you buy.

The GST that currently applies is 15%. GST doesn’t apply to rent on a home, apartment, flat or other accommodation. It also doesn’t apply to financial transactions, like bank charges, or to income.

newzealand-living-cost

Food

Below is the list of some common purchases for your attention:

  • Bread – white sliced loaf (600g) NZ$1.55
  • Milk – standard, 2 litres NZ$3.60
  • Fish and chips NZ$5.91
  • Apples (kg) NZ$2.52
  • Meat – lamb chops (kg) NZ$13.89
  • Coffee NZ$4
  • Petrol – per litre NZ$2.11
  • GP /doctor’s visit – adult NZ$37.14
  • Average meal at a restaurant NZ$20.00
  • Fast food sandwich NZ$ 4 to NZ$5
  • Average movie ticket NZ$ 12.00
  • 4 door sedan NZ$ 25,000.00

Other expenses :

  • It costs NZ$91-109 a week to feed an adult male, according to this 2014 survey by the University of Otago.
  • Utilites: Most people will spend about .25 per Kilohertz of electricity, depending on the company that they get their electricity from. For an average family, that puts it at around $2000 a year, but it will be much less if you are living in a flat on your own or with one or two roommates. Throw in other utilities, and it costs somewhere from $150 to $200 a month for all your utilities.
  • Internet costs approximately $85 a month, and, like many countries, will have a limit on exactly how much you are allowed to use throughout the month.
  • Rent is anywhere from $800 to $2000 per month, depending on where you live in relation to a city, suburb, or university. It will also depend on the size of the place that you are renting out.