But in Australia, those same groceries were NZD$210.01 so $20.41 cheaper. A big reason for this price difference is because in Australia, a goods and services tax (GST) isn't added to most groceries like fruit and vegetables, milk, bread, eggs, cereals, and tea and coffee. In New Zealand, 15% GST is added to all food.
New Zealanders pay 25% more than Australians for the same food. Prices from Countdown and Woolworths online shopping in NZ dollars as at 7 April 2023. We can see that the vast majority of items are more expensive in New Zealand.
Australia is often called more affordable, but New Zealand comes out on top in certain areas. In Australia, the average rent price is pushed higher by house prices in Sydney and Melbourne. However, New Zealand's average house price is skewed higher because of Auckland.
Australia's cost of living is slightly higher than New Zealand's, with higher rent and utility costs. However, Australians also enjoy higher incomes, which can offset these increased costs.
As a nation, our cost of food is high and we're very much reliant on the global market due to the amount of food we import, the fact we export a lot of our domestic food, coupled with our weakening dollar and food price inflation.
A big reason for this price difference is because in Australia, a goods and services tax (GST) isn't added to most groceries like fruit and vegetables, milk, bread, eggs, cereals, and tea and coffee. In New Zealand, 15% GST is added to all food.
As a guide, you can expect to pay between NZ$30 and NZ$40 for a main dinner course at most restaurants. However, at a high-end restaurant, you can expect to pay between NZ$40 - NZ$100 for a main dinner course. For lunch, prices range between NZ$15-NZ$29 at most cafes. Tipping is optional in New Zealand.
For example, Adelaide is one of Australia's cheapest cities for property, with its median house value sitting at A$709,829 - NZ$199,143 below New Zealand's average property value and NZ$549,143 below Auckland's.
New Zealand is less expensive than Australia; however, the margin isn't that big. Similar to Australia, some cities and towns are more expensive than others. Auckland, the biggest city, is the most costly. Statistics estimate that a single person needs $2,989 and a family $5,322 to live comfortably enough.
Both Australia and New Zealand are well known for having a high quality of education and healthcare, but when it comes to overall lifestyle, New Zealand has the upper hand.
New Zealand has made the World Happiness Report's list of the world's top ten happiest countries ahead of Australia's ranking of number 12, says Sky News host James Macpherson. “I put it down to Jacinda Ardern leaving government – that must explain why Kiwis are so happy,” Mr Macpherson said.
Our location. Being all the way at the bottom of the world has its perks, but it also affects our food prices. Because we are a long way away from most other countries the cost of importing products is high, and as the price of oil increased, so did prices.
Australia is a much lower taxing country, especially in terms of income tax. This affects incentives to work, save, and invest. Prosperity does not come by accident. Australia has a stronger political consensus around policies for growth, which contributes to investor confidence.
Meat items were generally cheaper in Australia, fruit was generally cheaper in the US (although that varies by location), vegetables were mixed, and milk and home-brand white bread was markedly cheaper in Australia.
The ones pushing food inflation up are the domestic ones: input costs, high fuel, high fertiliser [prices] still, high labour rates particularly and high interest rates,” he said. However, the price of commodities such as cattle, vegetable oils and cereal has fallen from 2022 highs, as has the price of grain and wheat.
Rent in New Zealand is cheaper, a 3 bedroom apartment in New Zealand costs $2,603.29 a month while a similar apartment in Australia costs $3,035.28 per month. Life in New Zealand tends to move at a more relaxed pace.
Australia's maximum 47 per cent rate is 8 percentage points higher than New Zealand (39 per cent), about 5 percentage points above the US (a figure which includes an estimated average state income tax) and 2 percentage points higher than the UK.
One of the main reasons to move to New Zealand is the natural beauty. Both the North and South Islands boast epic and contrasting scenery. Dense rainforest, snow-capped mountains, icy glaciers, epic fjords, and rugged coastline are just a few of the sights you'll see around New Zealand.
Overseas people usually cannot buy a house or land in New Zealand. If you have a residence class visa but you are not yet 'ordinarily resident', you can buy or build one home to live in as long as you get consent from the Overseas Investment Office before you buy.
Australia could be a better fit if you enjoy a laid-back lifestyle and warm weather. If you prefer outdoor adventure and cooler temperatures, New Zealand may be more your style.
New Zealand's 'cost of living index' has slightly decreased in 2020 to '72.53' compared to '73.01' in 2019, The Telegraph reports. This unit is measured by using New York as a benchmark, with an index score of 100.
The cost of living in New Zealand, for one person in a major city, is between NZ$3,000-NZ$4,000 per month. A family of four can expect to need NZ$5,000-NZ$6,000 per month to live.
New Zealand came in as the 32nd least expensive country to purchase a cup of coffee, with a tall latte costing $5.10. For some travellers, this might seem slightly pricey. After all, it's double the cost of the world's cheapest coffee, found in Turkey. In Turkey, a tall latte will set you back just $2.77.
Depending on the location, a single person in New Zealand spends between $107 and $134 weekly on food, while a couple will need $230. A family of four should budget $400 weekly to have a healthy diet.