New Zealand is one of the best countries to live in. The average cost of living in New Zealand is quite expensive. A family of four spends around 6,000 NZD to 8,000 NZD per month. So if you are planning to move to New Zealand, keep in mind the cost of living in New Zealand for Indians.
The most expensive cities are Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, and they are the biggest as well. They have scarce housing, which makes the existing properties more expensive. Housing prices in Christchurch have dropped in recent years, making it more attractive to ex-pats. However, smaller cities like Dunedin and Hamilton are pretty affordable and have many jobs to offer.
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Education is government-subsidized in New Zealand. That means public school is free. Parents will have to pay for their child’s school uniform and books. Some schools require an annual donation fee. Likewise, healthcare is state-subsidized and covers emergency, primary, and preventative care.
Food, alcohol, and certain goods are expensive, as non-local products have to be imported overseas.
Living Expenses in New Zealand
The most significant expense you will have is rent considering the country’s high rent prices, especially if you live in a city centre. The average monthly living costs for one person range from 3,000 NZD to 4,000 NZD (1,800 to 2,400 USD). A family of four, average living costs range from 6,000 NZD to 8,000 NZD (3,600 to 4,800 USD) per month.
All these costs may vary depending on where you live in New Zealand.
Education
Public primary and secondary education in New Zealand is free. However, schools can ask parents to pay for uniforms, books, and meals and ask for annual donation fees. If you enrol your children in private daycare, you will have to set aside around 1,000 NZD per month. Private schools or international schools are pretty costly, with annual fees of up to 20,000 NZD per year. If you decide to enrol your child in a private kindergarten, expect to pay around 1,000 NZD per month. The costs for private international schools vary greatly depending on where you send your child but are prepared to pay annual school fees of approximately 20,000 NZD, so if you want to save some expenses, you can enrol your kid in public school.
Cost Of Living In New Zealand For Indian Students
Utility Costs
In New Zealand, utilities such as electricity, gas, and water are not included in your monthly rent. Prices vary depending on where you live and how many people live with you. On average, you should expect to pay around 200-250 NZD. An internet subscription costs about 85 NZD per month, depending on the speed. It adds to the cost of living in New Zealand for Indians.
Food
Food and alcohol prices in New Zealand are relatively high compared to the US or European countries, mainly imported goods because most of the products are imported due to these high import taxes. If you enjoy eating out, you can expect to pay on average 60 NZD for dinner for two at an inexpensive restaurant. A finer place can set you back about 100 NZD for two people.
Healthcare Costs
New Zealand has state-subsidized medical care, making every resident entitled to public healthcare that covers everything except dental care for adults. You can also opt to supplement public healthcare with private health insurance.
Travel and Transportation Cost
Transportation throughout New Zealand is slow and expensive. The country’s transportation system is privately owned, so prices vary a lot depending on the region. Also, New Zealand does not have a nationwide rail system. You could prefer buses, but they are not cheap either. A bus fare starts at 10 NZD (6.50 USD).
While bigger cities such as Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown have their own well-functioning local public transportation system, a one-way ticket for local transportation costs 3.50 NZD and a monthly pass costs on average 150 NZD. Due to high import taxes buying a car in New Zealand can be a pretty expensive affair .for example, the price for a new Volkswagen Golf is 35,000 NZD (21,000 USD).
Taxis and ride-hailing apps services, such as Uber, Green Cabs, are available throughout the country. With an average taxi fare of 3 NZD.
This was our guide about the cost of living in New Zealand for Indians.
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Important FAQs
1. What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
The average cost of living in New Zealand is quite expensive. According to research, a family of four spends around 6,000 NZD to 8,000 NZD per month.
2. Is it expensive to live in New Zealand?
Compared to the U.S., New Zealand is affordable, but it can be expensive, so proper budget planning is necessary.
3. What does ex-pat mean?
The word ex-pat is an abbreviation of expatriate which means someone who had left their home country to live elsewhere.
4. Can I shift to New Zealand if I don’t have a job?
Many long-term migrants will require a work offer in New Zealand. Usually, migrants must acquire an agreement of skilled employment before seeking for a work visa or a resident visa as per the Skilled Migrant Policy.
5. Is healthcare in New Zealand available for free?
If you have a two-year or extended work visa, are a resident or citizen of New Zealand, government healthcare is available for free or low-cost. Foreigners can also get health coverage for private care, however several New Zealanders do not.
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